40 today with Severe fire danger - total fire ban

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Severe fire danger advice for coastal parts of the Central West on Thursday
 
A Severe Fire Danger Rating has been forecast for Thursday 11 December for coastal parts of the Central West.
 
This includes:

  • City of Greater Geraldton - coastal part
  • Shire of Chapman Valley - coastal part
  • Shire of Northampton - coastal part

Bushfires can threaten suddenly and without warning. Stay alert and watch for signs of fire, especially smoke and flames. Have your bushfire survival plan and kit ready.
 
Keep up to date with bushfire information through local radio, websites and TV. Do not wait for a warning before you act. If you see flames call triple zero.

These are very hot, dry and windy conditions for a bush or grass fire.

If a fire starts and takes hold: 

  • It will be unpredictable, move very fast and difficult for firefighters to bring under control. 
  • Spot fires will start and move quickly. Embers may come from many directions. 

If you live in or near bush with high fuel loads then you are at risk and need to act: 

  • Read through your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have one decide what you will do if a fire starts. 
  • If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option. 
  • Homes that are prepared to the highest level, have been constructed to bushfire protection levels and are actively defended may provide safety. 

You must be physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions. 

To find out what the Fire Danger Rating means to you visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call 9395 9300 during normal office hours.

Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area by visiting www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213 (call charges apply).

 

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for today, 11 December, for parts of the Midwest Gascoyne.  
 
This includes:  
 
• Shire of Carnarvon 
• Shire of Shark Bay 
• City of Greater Geraldton 
• Shire of Chapman Valley 
• Shire of Northampton 

On Friday 11 December any activity that could start a fire is banned.   
 
This means: 
• You must not light or use any fires in the open air 
• All open fires for the purpose of cooking or camping are not allowed  
• Hot work such as metal work, grinding, welding, soldering, gas cutting or similar is not allowed unless you have an exemption 
• You must not undertake any other activities that may start a fire. 

If a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban has not been implemented by your local government you are able to harvest or move vehicles across paddocks for agricultural purposes. 
 
You could be fined up to $25,000 or jailed for 12 months or both if you ignore the Total Fire Ban. 
 
For information on activities that can or cannot be carried out during a Total Fire Ban visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/TotalFireBanWhatCantIDo.aspx
 
If the information you want is not available from the website, telephone the Total Fire Ban Information Line 1800 709 355. 
 
This information is also available by visiting www.dfes.wa.gov.au