Planned Burning

Planned burning describes deliberately burning a predetermined area under appropriate environmental conditions to reduce fuel loads (the vegetation and dead plant material that can burn in a fire). Planned burns are undertaken under mild and stable weather conditions so that the fire burns slowly and is controllable with low flame heights. 

It is important to note that you are responsible for any fire you light and if it escapes you may be liable for the damage it causes. 

Can I burn on my property? 

Use the map below to find out if you can conduct a planned burn on your property.  

Fire Management Map

When to burn

When you burn depends on where you live in Western Australia. The City of Cockburn is located in the Swan Coastal South Fire Weather District and adheres to the burning times and requirements set out by the City.

Prohibited Burning Time: 1 December-31 March

No burning is permitted during this time unless declared otherwise by the Minister of Fire and Emergency Services or the City’s Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.

Unrestricted Burning Time: 1 June-30 September

• Contact DFES 9395 9209 to register your burn 
• Notify your neighbours with our neighbour notification slip (download below)
• Ensure an appropriate water source or equipment to extinguish the fire before starting. 

Restricted Burning Time: 1 April-31 May, 1 October-30 November

During this time, property owners and occupiers are permitted to conduct burning activities on their properties but must have a City of Cockburn issued permit to burn before starting.  

In areas zoned as rural, owners and occupiers can burn leaves, tree branches, and other dry vegetation in piles no larger than 1m³ in size without a permit, subject to the following conditions: 

• No flammable material (other than that being burned) is to be within 5 metres of the fire at any time while the fire is burning 
• The fire is lit between 6pm and 11pm and is completely extinguished before midnight on the same day 

• At least one person is present at the site of the fire at all times until it is completely extinguished 

• When the fire is no longer required, the person ensures that the fire is completely extinguished by the application of water or earth. 

Please see the City's Fire Control Order for information on burning piles smaller than 1m³ without a permit. 

​Please note: the above burning times can vary at the Council’s discretion and any changes will be communicated on our homepage and Facebook. 

Permit to set fire to the bush

You will need to apply for a Permit to Burn in rural zoned areas for bush fire risk mitigation purposes during the declared restricting burning time. 

Apply for a fire permit

If you’re unable to apply for a permit online, please call 9411 3444 and a Fire Control Officer can attend your property to issue you a permit. Please note it may take up to five business days for a permit to be issued.  

Please note: 

• If you can’t meet the conditions of your permit, you must discuss this with the Fire Control Officer when the permit is issued 
• It’s an offence to seek a new permit from another Fire Control Officer if you are unable to comply with the original permit requirements 
• Penalties apply for failing to comply with permit conditions 
• Burning vegetation on land that is being cleared for development is an offence. No burning permit will be issued and the vegetation must be disposed of by other means
• Burning permits are only valid for the timeframe written on the permit 
• You can’t reapply for another permit for the same burn if it’s been refused.