Final Week to Safely Reduce Fuels (Toodyay/Morangup)

Updated: 27th September 2025 (AWST)

Short version: This week is your last practical window (no permit yet) to safely reduce fuels where you can’t mow/slash. From 1 October Toodyay enters the Restricted Burning Period (permit required and invalid on High+ Fire Danger days). Our brigades are volunteer-run; weekday crews are thin because many residents work away.

Is an extension likely?

Not looking great (but not impossible) — we’ve checked. Given recent breakaways in neighbouring areas and limited weekday staffing, an extension to the open season is not likely this year. If the Shire ever varies dates, it must be formally published and is typically limited to up to 14 days by law.

Who makes that call?

The legal power rests with the Shire under the Bush Fires Act 1954 (often delegated to the Shire President and the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer). The CESM (Community Emergency Services Manager) is an important coordinator, but a vacancy in that role does not prevent the Shire from making a variation if warranted.

What to do this final week (no permit yet)

If you cannot mow/slash or hand-clear certain areas, carry out a cool, well-prepared hazard reduction now — or wait. Do it right, or don’t do it.

Go / No-Go checks (all must be true to proceed)

• Fire Danger Rating: No Rating/Moderate for our district (No-Go if High+).
• Weather: wind steady 5–20 km/h (no gust fronts), RH ≥ 40%, mild temps.
• Preparation: mineral-earth control lines, widened on the down-wind side; clear around trees, logs, fences, sheds.
• Resources: water on site (tank/trailer/pump + spare hoses), rake-hoes/shovels/blower, 2+ competent people, phone coverage.

A "mineral-earth" control line is a firebreak where all combustible vegetation is completely removed, exposing the bare mineral soil underneath to prevent the spread of fire. These lines are constructed by mechanical means, such as racking, ploughing or grading, to create a non-flammable barrier, often one meter or more in width, that acts as a fire control line during prescribed burns or bushfire suppression.

Lighting & tactics

• Burn early morning or late arvo (lighter winds, higher RH).
• Test a small patch first; if it runs hot or wind shifts, stop.
• Use short, controlled strips and a backing fire into the wind — keep it low and slow.

Mop-up & patrol

• Black-out edges, logs, stumps and roots; drown–stir–drown.
• Patrol for re-ignition for hours (overnight if needed); stump holes and roots can flare later.

Make a Plan (DFES tools)

Yes — make a plan. DFES provides free tools to help you build, store and share a bushfire plan. It’s also smart to think through other hazards (flood, cyclone, heatwave) and have one simple, shared plan for the household.

How to make a plan (quick steps)

• Visit DFES resources: Start at dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/bushfire/prepare for property prep and planning guides.
• Use “My Bushfire Plan” (online/app): Create, store and update your plan on any device — mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au, iOS, Android.
• Know your local risks: Bushfire for most of Morangup/Toodyay; also consider flood/cyclone/heatwave impacts on travel, power and comms.
• Build emergency kits: Essentials for people & pets; meds, chargers, torches, masks for smoke, paper maps, copies of IDs.
• Share the plan: Make sure everyone (incl. teens/elders) knows triggers, routes, safe places and who calls whom.
• Stay informed: Follow warning levels and live updates on Emergency WA, and monitor weather/wind/RH on bom.gov.au/wa.

Why having a plan matters

• Safety first: Clear actions under stress give your household the best chance to stay safe.
• Know your risks: City or country, every property has hazards — plan for yours.
• Community resilience: DFES encourages simple, shared plans — prepared households reduce pressure on volunteers and responders.

New to the district? Quick primer

• Open season (to 30 Sept): no permit, but you must burn safely and lawfully.
• Restricted (1–31 Oct & 9 Mar–30 Apr): permit required; permits are only valid on No Rating/Moderate days and are void on High+.
• Prohibited (1 Nov–8 Mar): no burning.
• Total Fire Bans override everything on the day.

Check before you light

• Emergency WA – Warnings & Bans
• Bureau of Meteorology – Forecast, wind & humidity
• Shire of Toodyay – Fire restrictions & permits

Volunteer reality check: Our brigades are volunteer-run. Many locals work away on weekdays, so daytime crews are thin. Every avoidable breakaway pulls people from work and family. Please plan accordingly.