Camping safety

Camping is an ideal way to enjoy nature. Whether you are new to camping and want to get a taste of the camping experience or are fully self-sufficient and want to get away from it all, you will find a camping experience suited to your needs.

Research where you're going on Explore Parks WA and Park Stay WA websites and take note of any alerts or notifications that relate to your destination.

The Western Australian bush is seasonally prone to bushfires. For your safety have a bushfire survival plan for your chosen area. Check fire danger conditions and restrictions for your destination at Fire and Emergency Services and weather forecast at the Bureau of Meteorology. Take appropriate clothing, equipment and supplies for the weather conditions and be prepared for extreme weather conditions.

• Tell a responsible person where you are going, what you are doing and when you expect to return. Discuss with them what they should do if you are overdue.
• When choosing a campsite, look up to spot overhead hazards. Although trees provide shade, they may also have branches that could fall. Avoid camping under overhanging or dead branches.
• If you’re with children, avoid camping too close to a water body. Supervise children closely at all times but especially near water bodies.
• Take note of all hazard signs and directions from the rangers when at a park or reserve.
• Take your own water or if it is supplied, treat it by boiling, filtering or chemical treatment unless otherwise specified.
• Use portable fuel stoves as often as possible. Clear a sufficient area of flammable material to ensure spilled fuel or flames cannot start a bushfire. This should be a few metres in hot, dry conditions.
• Generators can cause bushfires and are only permitted in some parks and reserves for this reason. Campers are responsible for checking generator restrictions at individual campgrounds. As with portable fuel stoves, clear a sufficient area of flammable material around the generator.

Campfires can, and have, caused bushfires. They must always be used with care and only when and where permitted.

In the south west parks campfires are permitted in fireplaces provided, except during bushfire season when no fires are allowed. Ground fires (or uncontained fires) are not permitted at any time. Elsewhere, restrict your campfire to fireplaces when they are provided. 

You can use a gas barbecue for cooking if it has an enclosed flame and all flammable material is cleared five metres away from around your barbecue.