Burning Restrictions, Permits to Burn Off and Bushfire Information

Permits for Burning off

During April and October, permits from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder are required for to burn trees or bush. The City also has Health Local Laws in place which does not allow for the burning off of garden waste or materials at any time. Instead, residents can dispose of their garden waste at the City’s Yarri Road Refuse Facility at no cost.

There is no fee for obtaining a permit, however they will only be issued in exceptional circumstances. An application can be made by emailing mailbag@ckb.wa.gov.au with the following information:

1. Address/location of proposed burn
2. Date of Proposed Burn
3. Area of proposed burn
4. Description of vegetation being burnt
5. Map of area to be burnt

Applications for burning off or conducting fire-fighting drills must be made to Community Ranger Services, and some approvals may require the Minister’s authority.

The following conditions must be met for a permit to be issued:

• There are no current restrictions in place such as Total Fire Bans;
• Burning takes place between 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm and is extinguished before midnight;
• A responsible adult is supervising during the entire burning off period;
• Water or fire extinguishers are available to control the fire; and
• Burning off takes place in an approved incinerator or in a safe area.

The following restrictions apply at all times throughout the year —

• No burning off on Sunday or Public Holidays.
• No burning off of garden waste, refuse or offensive materials at any time.
• The smoke must not cause a nuisance to any person
• The smoke must not create a traffic hazard
• No burning off contrary to the provisions of the City's Health Local Law.
• Authorised burning off will only be undertaken between the hours of 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
• All neighbouring property occupiers must be informed of the burning off before commencement.
• An authorised person must be informed of the burning off before commencement.
• Register your burn with the DFES Communication Centre on 9395 9209

If burning off using an approved incinerator, it:

• Must not pose a nuisance or fire hazard; and
• Must be at least 2 metres from a fence, building or flammable material.

If burning off on the ground:

• All bush and flammable materials within 5 metres of the fire must be cleared; and
• Running water or fire extinguisher must be available.

Permits are issued subject to prevailing weather conditions and restrictions applied by the State Government and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Undertaking a planned burn is a significant responsibility and involves a lot of preparation. In the wrong conditions, planned burns can escape and become a bushfire. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has developed Burn SMART resources targeted at small landholders with a property of two hectares or less.

Please visit the planned-burning for valuable tips and resources.

Camping or Cooking Fires

In accordance with the provisions of Section 25(1a) of the Bush Fires Act 1954 the lighting of camping or cooking fires is prohibited on all land within the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder during the Prohibited Burning Time. This prohibition does not apply to a gas appliance that does not consume solid fuel comprising of a fire, the flame of which is encapsulated by the appliance.

A burning off permit is not required for cooking fires during prohibited burning times.

Fire Pits and Hangi Pits in residential areas 

Fire pits and Hāngī can only be used during the allowed and restricted burning periods (1 April to 31 October). They cannot be used if there is a total fire ban or harvest and vehicle movement ban declared or the fire danger rating is high or above.

Fire pits and Hāngī are not permitted to be used during the prohibited burning period – 1 December to 31 March.

Fire pits are permitted on all sizes of land. Please ensure you have a 5-metre clearance of flammable material and a water source nearby. Precautions should be taken to avoid nuisance smoke.