Page Title
Learn how bushfire risks are managed on public land and verges in the Shire of Mundaring. Find information about hazard reduction works, managing fuel loads on verges, verge burning requirements, permits, safety considerations, weed management and insurance responsibilities.
Public land
Shire Fire Protection Officers undertake bushfire mitigation inspections and works across Shire reserves throughout the year.
Works are prioritised based on risk, with priority given to reserves that may pose a bushfire risk to the surrounding community.
Bushfire hazards are managed using a range of methods, including:
- Firebreak construction and maintenance
- Invasive weed control
- Hazard reduction burns.
Fire Protection Officers also work closely with Friends groups and the Shire's Environmental Services Officers to ensure reserves are managed in a safe and environmentally sustainable way.
Many public reserves within the Shire are managed by other authorities, such as the Parks and Wildlife Service or Water Corporation. The Shire is not responsible for managing these areas. For enquiries relating to these lands, please contact the relevant authority directly.
Find out more about Hazard Reduction Burns.
Burning verges for fuel reduction
The Shire of Mundaring manages approximately 1,300km of road verges and does not have the capacity to manage fuel loads on every verge.
Property owners are encouraged to include adjoining verges as part of their bushfire hazard management strategy. Reducing fuel loads on verges can help lower bushfire risk and may include controlling weeds, removing accumulated leaf litter and twigs, or, in some circumstances, undertaking a fuel reduction burn.
Burning an adjoining verge may form part of your fuel load management strategy. However, approval must first be obtained from the Shire's Fire Control Officer. Refer to Permit to Burn for more information.
When to burn
If a fuel reduction burn is conducted during the Restricted Burning Period, a Permit to Burn must be issued by the local volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
Find out more about:
Your responsibilities when burning a verge
Before burning a verge, it is important to consider the risks and take appropriate steps to protect people, property, infrastructure and the environment.
Road safety and smoke
Smoke from a burn-off can be very dense, particularly where fuel loads are high. Smoke drifting across a road can create dangerous conditions for road users.
Smoke and direct flame impacts on roads must be appropriately managed to ensure road users are not put at risk.
Public infrastructure
Power, water and telecommunications infrastructure is often located on street verges.
Before lighting a fire, contact Dial Before You Dig on 1100 and check for obvious signs of infrastructure such as cables, poles and inspection hatches.
Public infrastructure, including power lines, telecommunications infrastructure and road markers, must be protected. Any damage must be reported immediately to the responsible organisation.
The cost of any damage caused by an intentionally lit fire may be charged to the resident.
Neighbouring properties
Private property must be protected from fire and smoke impacts.
Any costs associated with damage caused by the burn may be the responsibility of the resident.
Containing the fire
If a fire is not contained within mineral earth firebreaks, it may spread to neighbouring verges and properties.
Thick layers of leaf litter and accumulated bark can smoulder for long periods. If fire enters this peat-like layer, it can continue burning beneath the surface and reignite when conditions become favourable.
Breaks in the fuel layer are important to prevent fire spreading into areas that are intended to remain unburnt.
Weed management and the environment
Burning can encourage weed growth, particularly on verges where weed infestations often begin.
Measures should be in place before burning to manage any weed regeneration. Advice can be sought from the Shire's Environmental Officers.
Additional regulations apply to native vegetation on verges. Before undertaking any works that may impact native plants, contact a Shire Environmental Services Officer.
Find out more about weed identification and control.
Insurance
Appropriate third-party liability insurance should be held before undertaking a verge burn.
Ensure you have appropriate insurance before using fire as a hazard management tool on your property.
More information and contact
For more advice on fire hazard management contact your Local Bush Fire Brigade or the Shire on (08) 9290 6696 or email fse@mundaring.wa.gov.au.