General
Where can I find alert and warning information?
Alert and warning information can be found:
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Can I subscribe to receive alerts?
If you have internet access you can subscribe to receive emergency alerts as RSS feeds which provides free automatic updates to your computer every time the content is updated. Click here for more information about FESA's RSS feeds.
You can also follow FESA on Twitter to receive Alerts and Warnings, Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings and Media Releases.
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What is a StateAlert?
StateAlert is an automated system that uses web technology to deliver emergency warnings to landline phones or mobiles. People can also register to receive emergency warnings via email, RSS feed and their mobiles for up to three addresses. It may be used for any type of life threatening emergency including fires, cyclones, chemical spills and tsunami.
To learn more visit the StateAlert website.
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What is the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)?
SEWS is a distinctive siren sound adopted to alert the community of an urgent safety message relating to a major emergency or disaster.
SEWS is used as an alert signal for media to draw listeners’ attention to an emergency warning.
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What should I do with my pets and livestock during an emergency?
The welfare of your pets and animals are your responsibility during an emergency.
To learn more about animal welfare during an emergency click here.
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Bushfires
I can see and smell smoke but there is no alert on your website?
FESA only issues alerts and warnings when there is a possible threat to life or property.
If there is no alert posted on the FESA website, recorded on the information line or distributed to the media, it often means there is no threat to your area at this time.
In the event that there is a bushfire that is known to be threatening property or personal safety, FESA will issue community warnings and alerts through a number of channels.
However, bushfires can start suddenly so you need to be ready to act even if you do not get an official warning. You need to stay alert on hot days and look for information, regularly going outside to check for signs of bushfire. Do not wait and see – this can be deadly.
There are three fire management agencies in Western Australia (WA) and these are:
- The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA)
- The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)
- Local government
It is also possible that the fire may be managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) or local government. Visit DEC’s alerts page or contact your local government.
If you can see or smell smoke then it could be that the DEC, local government or private landowners may be conducting a controlled burn.
To check if a DEC controlled burn is taking place in your area, visit the DEC website.
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How often are community alerts issued during a bushfire?
The frequency of the alert depends on the level of threat.
For a bushfire the national warning system is:
- An Advice is issued at 11 am and 4 pm unless the situation changes.
- A Watch and Act is issued every two hours unless the situation changes.
- An Emergency Warning is issued every hour unless the situation changes.
- An All Clear is issued once when the threat has passed.
- Click here to understand what you should do at each alert level (PDF - 48 KB)
Alerts and warnings for other hazards such as cyclones, floods, storms and earthquakes are issued at different intervals, according to the type of incident, level of threat and how the incident is changing.
Click here for more information about Warning Systems.
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What is the bushfire warning system?
Community alerts are issued by FESA when a bushfire is approaching and during the phases of a bushfire.
There are three alert levels for bushfire: Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning.
- Click here to understand what you should do at each alert level (PDF - 48 KB)
To learn more about warning systems, click here.
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Why isn’t there a fire truck at my place when a fire is coming?
During a major bushfire, firefighters will be working to stop the fire from spreading. A fire truck will not be available to defend every home. You are encouraged to be prepared for bushfires to reduce the impact at your property.
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What should I do with my evaporative air conditioner during a bushfire?
Run the air conditioner to wet the filter pads.
When smoke enters your home or ash and embers start to drop around your house, switch the air conditioner off, but keep water running through the system where possible.
Monitor the air conditioner and the area around your home for spot fires until the danger has passed.
If there is a power failure at the time, wet the air conditioning filter pads using a garden hose.
Due to Government regulations, FESA is unable to recommended specific vendors of Ember Protection Screens. Click here for FESA’s information fact sheet about these screens. FESA recommends that individuals contact a steel fabrication company and request the fabrication of a cover to the details specified in this sheet.
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What bushfires does FESA manage?
FESA manage rural and urban bushfires in Gazetted Fire Districts.
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What bushfires do the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) manage?
DEC manage bushfires that occur on land they manage including state forests, timber reserves, national parks, conservation parks and nature reserves.
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What bushfires do local government manage?
Local government manage bushfires outside of Gazetted Fire Districts.
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