Are you in a Bushfire-Prone Area?
If you have a project that is in a Bushfire-Prone Area (BPA), we can help!
Am I in a Bushfire Prone Area?
The Bushfire Prone Map outlines areas in Western Australia designated by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner as bushfire-prone. Properties within these areas are subject to specific planning and construction requirements to enhance bushfire resilience.
To check if your property is in a bushfire-prone area, use the interactive map on the right and read our blog post for more information.
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BAL Reports
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BAL Reports 🔴 Bushfire Management Plans 🔴 Bushfire Evacuation Plans 🔴
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Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments
A BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) assessment shows how much risk a home or building faces from a bushfire — including embers, heat, and flames. It helps determine how much protection the building needs and what construction standards must be followed. The risk is measured in heat levels (kW/m²), and higher ratings mean more exposure and stricter building requirements.
A BAL assessment looks at key factors like fire danger ratings, land slope, vegetation type, and how close it is to your building site. These details help determine how much bushfire risk your property faces.
Once the BAL rating is calculated (ranging from BAL-Low to BAL-FZ), we refer to the Australian Standard to identify what construction measures are needed to protect your home from ember attack, radiant heat, and flame contact.
Each BAL level has different building requirements and costs, so getting it right from the start is important. That’s why our assessments are done by FPAA-accredited professionals — to help you build safely and cost-effectively.
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Very low risk. There’s not enough threat from bushfire to require specific construction standards under the Australian Standard.
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Low risk. The main threat is from ember attack – small burning particles carried by wind during a fire. Basic ember protection is recommended.
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Moderate risk. There is an increased chance of ember attack, as well as burning debris and moderate levels of radiant heat. Stronger construction measures are required to manage the heat and embers.
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High risk. Buildings in this category face a higher chance of ember and debris attack, and radiant heat levels between 19–29 kW/m². More robust construction is needed for fire resistance.
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Very high risk. Expect significant ember attack, burning debris, and higher heat levels, with a real possibility of direct flame contact. Advanced fire-rated materials and building methods are required.
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Extreme risk. The building may be exposed to direct flames, intense heat, and embers from the main fire front. Construction in this zone requires the highest level of fire-resistant design and materials.
Bushfire Management Plan (BMP)
A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) assesses and outlines how to reduce bushfire risk on a property. It is often required for new developments or subdivisions in bushfire-prone areas.
The BMP sets out specific measures to protect people, property, and the environment, such as:
Building placement and design
Asset Protection Zones (cleared areas around buildings)
Access for emergency vehicles
Water supply for firefighting
Ongoing vegetation management
At Bushfire Smart, all Bushfire Management Plans (BMPs) are prepared by accredited Level 2 or Level 3 Bushfire Planning Practitioners. This ensures your BMP meets the required standards and is both accurate and thorough, providing a clear and compliant path forward for your development.
Vulnerable Use and Bushfire Emergency Plans (BEPs)
For developments categorized as 'Vulnerable Use,' extra bushfire protection measures are essential. The development of a comprehensive Bushfire Emergency Plan (BEP) template and diagram is imperative to ensure safety and preparedness.
‘Vulnerable Use’ developments need additional bushfire protection measures and hence require assessment against the Vulnerable Use provisions of State Planning Policy 3.7 and the development of a BEP template and diagram.
The purpose of a BEP is to offer strategic direction to property owners and occupants, aiding them in preparing for an impending bushfire event and providing guidance should a bushfire threaten the property.
It is a document specifically designed for vulnerable persons who do not have the experience to accurately determine the potential risk of a bushfire and what actions to take in the event of a bushfire. Therefore, it is not a technical document and emphasis is placed on the safety of lives over the preservation of property.
Bushfire Risk Management Plans (BRMP)
A Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRMP) is a strategic document that identifies, assesses, and outlines how to manage bushfire risks for a specific site or project. It is commonly used to support development proposals in bushfire-prone areas where higher levels of risk are present.
A BRMP is typically required when a project is classified as high risk—for example, the construction of a fuel station or similar infrastructure with flammable or hazardous materials. These types of developments carry a greater potential impact during a bushfire event and must demonstrate how that risk will be reduced to an acceptable level.
The BRMP sets out tailored mitigation strategies such as:
Appropriate siting of infrastructure
Fuel management zones
Construction standards
Access for emergency services
Emergency response planning
All BRMPs must align with State Planning Policy 3.7 and relevant guidelines, and should be prepared by qualified practitioners to ensure they are effective and compliant.
