Controlled burn season

Residents are on notice about the start of restricted burning season, with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River praising bushfire readiness efforts during the summer.

The restricted burning season started on Tuesday, allowing residents to obtain burning permits from local fire control officers.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River community emergency services manager Nathan Hall said “significant inroads” had been made in the past year to reduce the threat of bushfires, and thanked local brigades, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and volunteer fire and rescue services.

“The combined mitigation works between these agencies has significantly increased our community’s resilience to bushfires,” he said.

Mr Hall said grant funds were used to install bushfire access tracks and low-fuel buffers, giving firefighters more opportunities for controlled burns in Cowaramup, Margaret River, Kudardup, and Augusta.

He said residents undertaking burns should be prepared and consider reducing smoke for neighbours, especially around vineyards.

“Even though we have had a relatively mild summer, fuel loads are very dry and could result in fast-moving and variable fire behaviours,” Mr Hall said.

Information on fire danger ratings can be found at emergency.wa.gov.au, while controlled burning schedules are available at dpaw.wa.gov.au.