Severe Heatwave increases Bushfire Risk 

Be alert, Be prepared. Be vigilant.

Residents and visitors in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River are urged to be alert, prepared, and extremely vigilant with a severe heatwave warning issued for the Shire.

The severe heatwave warning is now in place until Friday 9 February and is likely to be extended into the weekend. 

The elevated temperatures combined with very low relative humidity levels, means should a bushfire start it may be difficult to control especially if those fires occur during the peak of the day.

Volunteer Fire Brigades throughout the Shire are on stand-by, but the community is asked to do their part by simply doing the right thing. 

• Go over your bushfire plan to avoid making last minute decisions that could prove deadly. Go to www.dfes.wa.gov.au/bushfire/prepare to create one NOW!. 
• Learn about Travelling During Bushfire Season to understand what to do, how to stay up to date, what to put in a bushfire emergency kit and more .
• Keep up to date with the latest bushfire and Total Fire Ban information via emergency.wa.gov.au and have the radio tuned to ABC South West (684AM) for regular updates should a fire occur.
• Remember that campfires are currently banned 
• If you see smoke or fire please dial 000.   

If there is a fire, you should only stay to defend your property, if you are physically and mentally prepared, and have all the right equipment

Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans (HVMBs) may be considered as a precaution to further prevent other activities from starting a bush fire, and will be announced on the Shire’s website, Facebook page and SMS notification system. HVMBs are normally issued for specific timeframes throughout the day to reflect those periods of greatest risk.