- Authorities warn of increased bushfire risk across southern parts of the State
- New DFES campaign outlines key steps to prepare for a range of natural hazards
- Emergency WA is one-stop shop to stay safe all year round
Western Australians are being encouraged to 'Join the Ready' in the lead-up to summer, as a dry landscape and warming temperatures trigger an increased bushfire risk across southern parts of the State.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) today launched its new multi-hazard campaign Join the Ready, drawing on quintessential Australian humour and scenery to reinforce that being prepared is simply the WA way of life and individual actions help make our communities safer.
Western Australia is a vast State that experiences a range of natural hazards year-round, particularly over summer when cyclones and floods hit the State's north and bushfires and storms threaten communities in the south.
By downloading the Emergency WA app, creating an emergency plan and setting watch zones for key locations, people can ensure they are ready for fast-moving natural hazards before they happen.
Clearing gutters, packing an emergency kit and keeping greenery tidy are other important steps households can take to protect their families, neighbours and communities all year round.
Parts of southern WA have experienced very low rainfall over winter which will contribute to a heightened bushfire risk as the landscape dries out.
There are high fuel loads around Exmouth, the Gascoyne, Eucla and from Kalbarri to east of Three Springs. Severe soil moisture deficits in forest areas across the South West are also a watchpoint.
DFES has invested significant time and resources into preparations for the high-threat period, including allocating around 120 extra firefighting appliances across southern WA.
More than 80 activities and exercises are underway to ensure career and volunteer personnel are well-equipped for the challenging months ahead.
The Cook Labor Government has delivered 12 new fire stations over the past two years and more than 100 new appliances this year, ensuring emergency services personnel have the best facilities and equipment possible to protect their communities.
There were 2,936 bushfires across the southern half of the State between November 2025 and April 2026, burning 398,532 hectares. More than 45 reached emergency warning level where lives and homes were under threat.
Visit the Emergency WA website or download the app to make an emergency plan and stay up to date with alerts and warnings in your area.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby:
"The 'Join the Ready' campaign encourages Western Australians to utilise Emergency WA's world-leading technology and prepare now for a range of hazards including bushfires, storms, cyclones and floods.
"We know the vast majority of people who engaged with the DFES bushfire campaign last year took at least one step to be better prepared and this new campaign will build on that success as we head into the busy summer period.
"Western Australians are known to look out for one another and being ready isn't just about protecting yourself, it's about helping your neighbours and the wider community stay safe."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"More than 93 per cent of Western Australia is bushfire-prone yet our latest research shows only 22 per cent of people across Perth and southern WA feel prepared for a bushfire.
"Signs are pointing to another challenging season. We've had a very dry winter across southern WA and temperatures will be warmer than usual heading into summer.
"Our firefighters do an incredible job protecting lives and homes but we need the community to play their part and take some simple steps to get ready now before an emergency hits."
