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City of Karratha

Local Fire Information

If you observe a Fire/Bushfire anywhere please call Emergency Services by dialing 000. 

Bush Fire Control 

Restricted fire season exists all year within the City of Karratha. Fire permits are required at all times for any open air fires.

Lighting of fires in the open air within the City of Karratha for the purpose of camping or cooking is prohibited on days of Very High, Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger forecast (this includes gas cooking appliances).

To find out the current fire level warning in place visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings - refer to West Pilbara Coast
 

Penalties

Minor Offences (Infringement Notice)

Penalty 

Failing to produce a Permit to Burn

 $100.00

Lighting a fire in the open air

 $250.00

Lighting a fire to destroy refuse contrary to conditions

 $250.00

Setting fire to bush during restricted burning times

 $250.00

Failure of the occupier of the land to extinguish a bush fire

 $250.00

Failure to comply with a notice to plough or clear firebreaks

 $250.00

**Major offences will result in court action with penalties ranging from $500 to $25,000 or imprisonment for twenty (20) years or both.**
 

Permit to Burn

Information required for a Permit to Burn:

  • Name of the person conducting the burn
  • The location, lot number and/or street address of the property to which the permit will apply to
  • What fire fighting equipment and resources you have and whether or not it is in good working order
  • A safety plan
  • The size of the burn to take place
  • Any fire breaks installation and access options for an emergency fire unit 
  • Materials proposed to be burnt

Note: Applying for a Permit to Burn does not mean it will be automatically issued, a permit will not be issued for the burning of green waste.

Please contact the Ranger Services on 9186 8535 for fire permits.

Fire break requirements

As an owner or occupier of land within the City of Karratha, you are hereby notified that you must comply with the Bush Fires Act 1954, (the Act) section 33, and carry out annual fire prevention work as set out in this notice. 
 
It is the responsibility of the owner or occupier to maintain their property free of fire hazards and have all fire breaks installed as per the requirements of this notice and maintain the land in condition for the entire year.
 
Persons who fail to comply with the requirements of this order may be issued with an infringement notice which carries a modified penalty of $250 and a maximum penalty of $25,000. 
 
In accordance with the Act, Council may carry out the required works at the expense of the land owner or occupier regardless if issued with an infringement notice or prosecuted. 
For more information about firebreak requirements contact the City of Karratha on (08) 9186 8555.

Requirements

  1. Rural and Town-site Land (includes residential, commercial and industrial): 
    a) Where the area of land is 2024m2 (approximately half an acre) or less, remove all flammable material on the land except living standing trees from the whole land. 
    b) Where the area of land exceeds 2024m2, provide fire breaks at least three (3) metres wide, immediately inside all external boundaries of the land and also immediately surrounding all buildings and haystacks situated on the land. Where several adjoining lots are held or used by the owner/occupier, the firebreaks may be provided inside and along the external boundaries of the group or lot.
  2. Special Rural Land: 
    The owners of all small rural holdings, zoned as Special Rural under Town Planning Schemes, must maintain clear of all flammable materials a fire break at least three (3) metres wide, immediately inside all external boundaries of the land.
  3. Fuel and/or Gas Depots: In respect of land owned and/or occupied by you on which is situated any container normally used to contain liquid or gas fuel, including the land on which any ramp or supports are constructed, you shall have the land clear of all flammable material.


Please note:

Firebreaks must be maintained fuel-free year round. The City of Karratha is a designated "Restricted Burning" area and a 'Permit to Burn' is required from 1 January to 31 December (inclusive). On days of Very High, Severe, Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, as issued by Bureau of Meteorology, you are prohibited to burn-off or to use cooking fires. For more information on fire danger ratings and Total Bans please visit the DFES website. For all other firebreak enquiries, please contact the City of Karratha on (08) 9186 8555.