City of Bunbury's fire pit ban branded 'silly' as cold weather hitsBy Pip Waller and Jacqueline LynchABC South West WATopic:Local Government23m ago23 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:00amGavin Pound has a fire pit in his yard, but he can't light it due to the City of Bunbury's ban. (ABC South West WA: Pip Waller)In short:The City of Bunbury has banned fire pits amid concerns about dry weather, the number of fires in the area and the limitations of emergency services.The plan has attracted criticism from locals such as Gavin Pound, who says the blanket ban is "silly".What's next?The City of Bunbury has confirmed it will reconsider the policy.abc.net.au/news/fire-pit-ban-city-of-bunbury/105258262Link copiedShareShare articleWestern Australia's biggest regional city says it has banned backyard fire pits to alleviate bushfire concerns and to take pressure off firefighters ahead of what authorities warn could be a "very dry winter".The ban, implemented quietly by the City of Bunbury at the end of last year, means locals on land of two hectares or less cannot use pits or have campfires any time of year.Fire bans are common in summer across WA's south-west, but residents have been able to apply for permits for backyard fires at other times.Mr Pound says common sense should prevail. (ABC South West WA: Pip Waller)Gavin Pound became aware of the ban when he tried to apply for a permit to have a fire pit going for his daughter's birthday party."It was overcast and cold and everything like that," he said."[We were told], 'By the way, pit fires in Bunbury have been banned completely.'"People solve problems around a pit fire out the back."I understand banning fires during the summer time, sure, but this is inner-city Bunbury — it's not out in the bush."It's just a silly, silly attitude."Are you going to be responsible for telling your grandchildren that we can't roast marshmallows on the back fire and have all that fun?"We've been trying to find out what we can do to reverse this and have a sensible attitude to having a pit fire in the backyard."The ban is a bridge too far for many in Bunbury. (Supplied: Kristy Moore)Council to review banThe South West region is prone to bushfires and earlier this year crews worked through the night to contain a blaze that came close to Bunbury prison.That followed a blaze in the neighbouring shire of Capel that burned underground for months last year.During the last five years the Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported 22 fires in the City of Bunbury that were caused by open flames, campfires, bonfires and outdoor cooking.A similar ban is also in place in Port Hedland, where backyard fires are prohibited year-around because of the Pilbara's climate.The blanket ban came after a number of fires in the area. (ABC South West WA: Jon Daly)The City of Bunbury has confirmed it was reconsidering the policy due to the response from residents."We acknowledge our community doesn't necessarily support this change and the city is listening," Bunbury Mayor Jason Miguel said."[The] restrictions were suggested due to dry soil conditions, the weather, the number of fires in the area and emergency services' resources."We are currently reconsidering the policy."The issue is expected to come before council again in June.Posted 23m ago23 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:00amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)ABC EmergencySearch any location in Australia to find nearby active incidentsFind an incidentPlan for an emergencyPlan for BushfiresDuring a HeatwaveTop StoriesErin 'very reluctant' to let lunch guests near pantry, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxPhoto shows A man sitting on a stage wearing a suit and tie.Grandmother in custody as town reels after deaths of two young boysLIVEPhoto shows CoonabarabranGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.Related storiesFirefighters survive burnover while battling bushfire in southern WATopic:BushfiresPhoto shows Firefighters work to cibtain blaze near a country town. One of WA's longest-burning fires is still smouldering after a million litres of waterTopic:FiresPhoto shows Three firefighters with hoses trying to put out an underground fireFirefighters bring blaze threatening lives, homes in South Bunbury under control Topic:BushfiresPhoto shows A local resident watches from a safe distance as a bushfire burns in Australind.Related topicsBunburyBushfiresFiresLocal GovernmentRegional CommunitiesTop StoriesErin 'very reluctant' to let lunch guests near pantry, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxGrandmother in custody as town reels after deaths of two young boysTopic:CrimeGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsJust InSeven West Media to buy Tasmania's Channel 7 and other Southern Cross TV assetsTopic:Media Industry11m ago11 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:12amLocals torch WA council's 'silly' blanket ban on fire pitsTopic:Local Government23m ago23 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:00amMushroom meal survivor takes the stand in Erin Patterson's trialTopic:Law, Crime and Justice19m ago19 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:03am'I could have been a Steve Irwin': Woman barbed by stingray near artery in armTopic:Marine Incidents52m ago52 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 3:30amMore Just InBack to top