Bushfire Preparation Starts Now: Key Steps for the Cooler Months

Written By Jess Calcutt

Preparing During the Cooler, Wetter Months

As we move into the cooler, wetter season—known as Djeran in the Noongar calendar—the immediate risk of bushfire reduces significantly. Djeran, which typically spans April and May, signals a change in weather patterns across much of Western Australia, bringing lower temperatures, increased rainfall, and calmer conditions.

While fire risk may not feel urgent, this period provides the perfect window to prepare for the next bushfire season.

Noongar Calendar

The Nyoongar people of southwest Australia follow a six-season calendar—Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang—based on environmental changes like plant flowering, reptile hibernation, and swan moulting. The seasons vary in length and reflect natural cycles, guiding land and animal care.

Why Prepare Now?

  • Reduced risk means more time: With fire conditions easing, property owners have greater flexibility to undertake mitigation work safely.

  • Better ground conditions: Moist soils and cooler weather make it easier to modify vegetation and maintain firebreaks without causing environmental damage.

  • Early preparation reduces last-minute pressure: Essential maintenance and upgrades can be completed well before the next fire season, avoiding the annual late spring rush.

Key Actions to Take

1. Review your Bushfire Plan:
Update or develop a property-specific Bushfire Survival Plan. Confirm your evacuation routes, emergency kits, and communication strategies.

2. Maintain and Improve Defendable Space:
Remove accumulated debris, prune overhanging branches, and manage vegetation to maintain a safe buffer around your home.

3. Undertake Building Maintenance:
Seal gaps in roofing, cladding, windows, and vents where embers could enter. Consider upgrades now if your BAL assessment recommends higher construction standards.

4. Clear and Maintain Firebreaks:
Inspect existing firebreaks and schedule any required maintenance or improvements before spring deadlines set by your local government.

5. Plan Future Works:
If you are considering building, landscaping, or fencing projects, integrate bushfire-resilient design principles early rather than retrofitting later.

Looking Ahead

Preparation is a year-round task, but early action can dramatically improve your safety and resilience when the bushfire season returns.

For advice on firewise garden planning and maintaining your Asset Protection Zone, check out DFES’s Firewise Gardening in Western Australia (pages 46–50).

Jess Calcutt
Next

🏠 When Should You Get a Bushfire Assessment?