Stay Safe During Bushfire WA: What Every Family Should Know
Western Australia's climate makes the environment highly prone to bushfires. In fact, over 90% of the state, including parts of the Perth metropolitan area, is bushfire-prone. These fires can cause serious damage to people, property, and nature, though many local ecosystems have adapted to survive and even rely on bushfires.
Today, bushfire conditions are more dangerous than ever. For over 20 years, scientists have warned that climate change would increase the risk of extreme fires, and those warnings have come true. This guide explains what causes bushfire WA, when and where they occur, how to track active incidents, prepare your family, stay safe in an emergency, and recover afterwards.
What Causes Bushfires in WA?
WA bushfires can start from natural causes like lightning or through human actions, whether accidental or deliberate. Long, dry summers and flammable vegetation create ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread.
Bushfire fuel comes from dry grasses, leaves, bark, twigs, and shrubs. Dry fuel catches fire easily, while damp vegetation is less likely to burn. The amount, type, and dryness directly affect how intense and fast a bushfire can become.
Weather also plays a major role in bushfire risk. Hot, dry, and windy days increase the danger, especially when combined with conditions like:
High temperatures
Low humidity
Little recent rainfall
Large amounts of dry vegetation
Strong winds
Thunderstorms
Together, these factors can create the perfect environment for a bushfire to ignite and spread quickly.
When and Where Do Bushfires Happen Most in WA?
Bushfires WA can occur at any time of year, but the risk is highest during the hottest, driest, and windiest periods. In the southern half of WA, including Perth, bushfire season typically runs from October to April.
In the Kimberley, bushfires usually happen during the dry winter and spring months, from June to October, when grasses have dried out. In the Pilbara, the highest risk is between August and November. While these are the usual peak times, local weather and environmental conditions can cause dangerous bushfires at any time.
Useful Resources for Tracking Bushfires in WA
Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family. Several resources provide up-to-date bushfire alerts, warnings, and safety advice:
Emergency WA: The official source for bushfire alerts WA, maps, and community warnings.
DFES information line: Call 13 DFES (13 3337) for bushfire advice and updates.
DFES social media: Follow DFES on Facebook and X (Twitter) for real-time updates.
My Bushfire Plan app: Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play to create a survival plan.
ABC Radio: Tune in to your local ABC station for emergency broadcasts and updates.
BOM Weather app: A popular smartphone app that provides bushfire warnings WA for severe weather events, including elevated fire danger, heat waves, and other conditions near you.
How to Prepare for Bushfire Season?
Preparation can save lives. If you live in a bushfire-prone area in WA, here's how to get ready:
Make a bushfire plan: Discuss with your household what you'll do if a fire threatens. Decide when you'll leave, where you'll go, and what your trigger to leave will be.
Plan for vulnerable family and pets: Organise early relocation for elderly relatives, young children, pets, and people with disabilities. Decide on their trigger to leave, where they'll go, and what they'll need.
Understand bushfire warning levels: Learn about Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency warnings. Each one tells you what action to take, from preparing to leave to evacuating immediately.
Bookmark official emergency maps: Save your state’s bushfire Western Australia map and the ABC Emergency incident map for quick access.
Know your nearest safe places: Identify nearby Neighbourhood Safer Places, meeting points, or evacuation centres, and how to get there.
Prepare a bushfire survival kit: Pack essentials like water, medications, documents, clothes, a battery-powered radio and better have a power station, and keep them in an easy-to-reach spot.
Have a backup plan: Be prepared with alternative routes and safe options in case your main plan isn’t possible or roads are blocked.
What to Do During a Bushfire Emergency?
If a bushfire threatens your area, act quickly and follow official advice. Bushfires can move fast, and conditions may change in minutes.
1. Stay Connected
Bushfire conditions can change in minutes. Stay alert and check Emergency WA, ABC Radio, and DFES updates regularly. If leaving is your plan, go before it's too late.
2. Sheltering in Your Home (Last Resort)
If escape isn't possible, shelter inside a room furthest from the fire with two exits and a water supply. Never stay in a room without a second way out.
3. Identify Safer Places
Your bushfire plan should include a last-resort shelter like an open space, dam, or beach. Remember: these places reduce risk but don't guarantee safety from embers, heat, or smoke.
4. Evaporative Air Conditioners
Homes within 500m of bushland with roof-mounted units face extra ember risks. You’d better fit ember protection screens and:
Run the unit to wet the pads before ash arrives.
Switch it off when smoke or ash is heavy.
Keep pads wet with a hose if water-only mode or power is unavailable.
Check for embers in and around your home until danger passes.
After a Bushfire — What Comes Next?
Returning home after a bushfire can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. The uncertainty of what you'll find makes it difficult to fully prepare for the moment. If emergency services have declared it safe to go back, mentally and emotionally prepare yourself and your loved ones for the changes you may face, both to your property and within your community. If you live alone, consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you for support during this challenging time.
Once it’s safe, contact your insurance company to report any damage or loss. An assessor will likely need to inspect your property before you begin repairs or rebuilding. Always check with your insurer before committing to work to avoid unexpected costs. Tenants should also contact their insurer and notify their landlord or housing authority. If you require emergency accommodation, review your policy to see if this is included.
However, it's also important to remember that the danger may not be over. Flare-ups can still occur after the main fire has passed, and essential services like power and communications may be disrupted. A reliable UPS power supply for home can be invaluable in these situations, providing backup energy for essential devices, lighting, and communications while recovery efforts continue.
Many residents turn to portable solutions like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station to power their homes during outages safely or to support clean-up and repair tools on-site. With up to 12kWh expandable capacity and 4000W X-Fusion output, it runs essential appliances and power tools with ease.During a power outage, it ensures swift 10ms switch-overs, protecting NAS systems, servers, and entertainment devices from power interruptions. It uses a durable LFP battery, making it a long-term backup solution while waiting for service restoration.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Conclusion
Bushfire WA is a harsh reality of life, but with preparation, awareness, and a clear action plan, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay informed through reliable resources, keep your property fire-ready, and know when to leave. It’s always safer to leave early than to stay and risk your life. Take the time now to prepare, because when a bushfire strikes, every moment counts.
FAQs
How do I know if there's a bushfire near me in WA?
Check Emergency WA, the official source for bushfire alerts and emergency updates. It's the fastest way to see nearby incidents and advice. Stay aware of your surroundings too, smoke, sirens, or emergency vehicles can signal danger. If you feel at risk, don't wait for instructions; act immediately to stay safe.
Can bushfires happen in urban areas in WA?
Yes. Bushfires can occur in urban areas, especially where homes border grasslands, parks, paddocks, or coastal scrub. Fires in these areas can spread quickly and pose a serious risk to nearby communities.
Where can I go if I need to evacuate from a bushfire?
In WA, pay close attention to and follow official advice, take early action and go to designated safe places. These may include local open spaces, parks, dams or beaches. Sheltering at home should be your last option.