Bush Fire Information
Burning Information
Restricted and prohibited burning periods
Restricted
19 September - 31 October
Permit Required
Prohibited
1 November - 15 February
No burning allowed - permits will not be issued
Restricted
16 February - 15 March
Permit Required
Restricted and Prohibited Burning Periods may be extended at the discretion of the Council, and/or Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.
Burning Permits
No permits shall be issued to set fire to bush during the prohibited burning period except for reasons as specified under the Bush Fires Act.
Permits for burning will only be issued during the restricted burning period and are available from your local Fire Control Officer (click here).
Permits will only be issued if the Fire Control Officer is of the opinion that the weather conditions are suitable, and may apply restrictions. Failure to comply with the restrictions is an offence.
When a Fire Control Officer refuses to issue a permit, he must advise the Chief Executive Officer that the permit has been refused and details of the grounds for refusal to ensure that a permit is not obtained from another officer.
Fire Response Vehicle Identifier Stickers
To assist authorities to identify vehicles which can assist DFES in bushfire response, DFES and the Shire encourages owners of such vehicles or machinery to apply for a Fire Response Vehicle Identifier windscreen sticker. The stickers are designed to enable passage of approved vehicles through the vehicle control points (road blocks) where approved by the Incident Controller. Appliances or machinery without a Vehicle Identifier sticker may be delayed or prevented from assisting in the response.
Stickers are issued under a number of conditions including:
- the Fire Response Vehicle Identifier is for the purpose of fire response;
- when the vehicle is no longer used as a fire response vehicle (e.g. when sold) the identifier will be removed;
- compliance with the Road Traffic Act 1974;
- the identifier can be revoked by an Incident Controller or authorised person at any time;
- appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing will be worn at all times;
- the driver will ensure that the vehicle’s presence at an incident is recorded on both arrival and departure;
- Read and understood the “Guidelines for Operating Private Equipment at Fires” publication and will make drivers of the vehicle familiar with this document.
Stickers for the period ending 30 September 2026 are now available. Application forms are available from the Shire Administration Centre or download Fire Response Vehicle Identifier Application .
Multiple stickers may be issued to persons with multiple suitable vehicles/equipment – one application form per vehicle is required.
The Shire will utilise SMS to communicate with Vehicle Identifier holders (i.e. upon expiry, or any changes to the scheme), therefore a mobile phone number (or numbers) will be required as part of the application. Stickers will be mailed to the applicant following vetting of the application by the Shire.
Fire Breaks
Chemical usage on road reserves
An application to use chemicals on road reserves for firebreak protection must be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer for approval.
Burning of roadside vegetation
No roadside burning is allowed by any persons within the Shire without the approval of the Council. Anybody who is found to have burnt any roadside vegetation or reserve vested in the Shire, either deliberately, by neglect or carelessness as per the Bush Fires Act 1954, may be made to pay the cost of spraying or re-vegetating the area.
Clearing of Town Lots
Owners of town blocks can arrange, through the Shire Offices, to have vacant blocks sprayed, slashed, grazed or burnt to clear town lots. Phone the Shire Office on 9880 1204 for further information.
Attending Fires
If you attend a fire as a firefighter you should wear boots and overalls or long sleeved shirt and long trousers (non flammable cotton type).
FCO's: please ensure all persons likely to attend fires over 16 years of age are registered as brigade members. Non-brigade members have to be authorised to attend a fire by the FCO in charge.
Vehicle Identifier Stickers are also required to identify private vehicles owned by persons pre-authorised by the Shire of Kulin to enter the fire ground and assist with emergency response operations. New stickers valid to 30 Sept 2026) are available from Nicole at the Shire office email eso@kulin.wa.gov.au
This is necessary to be covered by Bushfire Insurance.
Other information
In the event of a fire call 000
Chemical usage on road reserves
An application to use chemicals on road reserves for firebreak protection must be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer for approval.
Burning of roadside vegetation
No roadside burning is allowed by any persons within the Shire without the approval of the Council. Anybody who is found to have burnt any roadside vegetation or reserve vested in the Shire, either deliberately, by neglect or carelessness as per the Bush Fires Act 1954, may be made to pay the cost of spraying or re-vegetating the area.
Burning in the townsite
No fires in large open areas are to be lit in the townsite unless a town Fire Control Officer is advised of the intention to burn.
Clearing of Town Lots
Owners of town blocks can arrange, through the Shire Offices, to have vacant blocks sprayed, slashed, grazed or burnt to clear town lots. Phone the Shire Office on 9880 1204 for further information.
Burning on Sundays and Public Holidays
From the start of the restricted burning time to the end of Easter, no person is allowed to light a fire on a Sunday or Public Holiday.
Stubble Burning
Stubble burning, subject to normal permit, will be allowed on Sundays after 1st March.