Firewise gardening
A well-designed garden can help reduce bushfire risk while maintaining the character, biodiversity and liveability of your property. Firewise gardening focuses on selecting suitable plants, managing fuel loads and creating separation between vegetation and buildings.
Good garden design considers plant placement, maintenance requirements, mulch selection and ongoing management. No plant is completely fireproof, however some species are more suitable for bushfire-prone areas than others.
The resources below provide practical gardening information and local examples to help residents make informed landscaping decisions. Whether you are creating a new garden or updating an existing one, Firewise gardening principles can help improve resilience while supporting local environmental values.
Resources
Firewise Gardening in WA
Mulch Factsheet
Revegetation Guide
Local More Firewise Plants
Related Videos:
Firewise Gardening in Western Australia Episode 1
Firewise Gardening in Western Australia Episode 2
Firewise Gardening in Western Australia Episode 3
Firewise Demonstration Garden, (rear of) Mundaring Firefighters School, Bentley Street, Stoneville. You can have a sneak peek of the Firewise Garden from the adjacent reserve, or for a proper visit contact the Shire's Emergency Management Team (08) 9290 6696 or email fse@mundaring.wa.gov.au (9 am to 4 pm, Mon to Fri).
Property maintenance
Regular property maintenance is one of the most effective ways to reduce bushfire risk around your home. Small actions undertaken throughout the year can help reduce fuel loads, improve access and increase the likelihood that your property will withstand a bushfire.
Seasonal maintenance activities may include pruning vegetation, mowing grass, removing leaf litter, managing fuel accumulation and maintaining Asset Protection Zones (APZs). Keeping buildings, gutters and surrounding areas well maintained also contributes to property preparedness.
The resources below provide practical guidance to help residents prepare throughout the year, with information relevant to both established properties and new developments. The information is designed to complement, not replace, annual firebreak and fuel management requirements.
Asset Protection Zones
Reviews of significant bush fires generally find that properties well-prepared for bush fire threats suffer less damage and loss than those that are not. A major part of this preparation includes establishing an Asset Protection Zone (APZ).
An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is an area of very low fuel levels and managed gardens and vegetation close to a house that lessen the impact of an advancing bush fire.
Standards for APZs are outlined in detail in the Shire’s Firebreaks and Fuel Load Notice.
Example of a good APZ
The illustration below shows some suggestions for maintaining a good APZ, however a Shire of Mundaring Fire Hazard Inspection Officer can visit your home and give some advice on how to establish or maintain a good APZ.
It is acknowledged that established properties may have vegetation and garden features that have been cultivated over many years which pre-date research into the requirements of a good APZ.
With careful management and sound advice it is still possible to establish an APZ without necessarily having to remove living vegetation or carrying out significant ground works / vegetation modifications.
How does an APZ work?
Bush fires spread and increase in intensity by consuming any available fuel in their path. In most cases homes are damaged or lost due to the radiant heat and embers caused by nearby fires, so to minimise the impact on your home your best defence is to reduce the amount of fuel close to your house.
In this case fuels consist primarily of leaf litter, small twigs and bark at ground level or suspended in the lower parts of trees and shrubs. By removing the fuels from close to your home and keeping the fuel levels below two tonnes per hectare you are effectively starving the fire and reducing the likelihood of damage.
Managing fuel loads
You can rake and remove the ground fuels, burn them in piles during approved burning times, or compost the leaf litter and use it in other areas of your garden. Under-pruning shrubs and trees close to your home and managing dead and dry material suspended in shrubs is also a good way to reduce fuel loads.
Good management of fuel levels does not necessarily mean you have to remove trees and shrubs. In most cases managing ground level fuels and some pruning of shrubs and trees is sufficient.
Shrub management in a good APZ
Keeping the lower branches of shrubs clear of the ground is important in maintaining a good APZ, as well as keeping the plant free of dead and suspended litter including bark and twigs. This limits the opportunity for fire to reach the foliage and progress from shrub to shrub.
Fire Hazard Inspection Officers
A free Shire service is available to help identify potential fire hazards on your property and to develop plans aimed at managing those risks.
The Fire Hazard Inspection Officers can provide advice on:
- How to identify and manage bush fire risks that exist on your property
- Fuel load measurement and management
- Preparing your property for bush fires including shrub pruning and vegetation management advice
- Training for Winter hazard reduction burning
- How to establish a Bushfire Ready Group in your area
- Ensuring your property complies with the Shire’s Firebreak and Fuel Load Notice.
Resources
Seasonal Property Maintenance
Asset Protection Zones (APZs)
Related Videos:
Clean Your Chimney
Clean Your Gutters
Firebreak Location
Firebreaks and Fuel Load
Fix Fire Traps
Help Firies
Improve Your APZ
Practical Preparation
Prune Rake Remove
Reduce Your Fuel Loads
Get in contact with the Shire's Emergency Management Team for an onsite chat, (08) 9290 6696 or email fse@mundaring.wa.gov.au (9 am to 4 pm, Mon to Fri).
For emergencies, phone Triple Zero (000).
Utilities and essential services
Emergencies can disrupt essential services including electricity, water, telecommunications and internet access. Understanding how these services may be affected, and having contingency arrangements in place, can help households remain safer and more resilient during extended disruptions.
Residents are encouraged to consider backup communication methods, emergency water supplies, alternative power options and ways to access important information if services are unavailable. Planning ahead can help reduce stress and improve decision-making during emergencies.
The resources below include general preparedness information and links to utility providers and other organisations responsible for managing essential services. It also provides information about practical alternatives that may assist during outages or service interruptions.
Resources
Power Outage Information
Water Supply Information
Telecommunications and Internet Information
Emergency Communications Resources