Published on Thursday, 2 November 2023 at 7:26:35 PM

Shire of Mundaring carefully manages the risk at Lake Leschenaultia including how it keeps its visitors and neighbouring residents safe.

The presence of a large number of people in a bushfire prone site with limited access has the potential to be devastating in the event of an out-of-control bushfire.

An emergency evacuation of a large number of people from the park may also require support from emergency services, diverting these resources from other areas, potentially hampering response capabilities and placing other people and property at risk.

Fire Danger Ratings and Lake Closures

As a result, it has been recently determined that public access to Lake Leschenaultia will be once again assessed to align with the Fire Danger Ratings.

Following the first year of the new national Fire Danger Rating System, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System has conducted a review and adjustments have been made to the rating system.

The Shire has recently conducted a review ahead of the 2023/2024 Summer season and it has determined that:

• On Extreme days, the lake will be closed to the public but open to campers
• On Catastrophic days, the lake will be closed to both the public and campers

Public safety first

The decision to close the lake on extreme days is made with the utmost concern for public safety.

The current Fire Danger Rating for the Swan Inland North District shows an Extreme Fire Danger Rating for Friday 3 November and Saturday 4 November.

Should this rating stay in place, the lake will be closed to the public but open to campers on these days and any future days with an Extreme Fire Danger Rating.

On days when the Fire Danger Rating is Catastrophic, the lake will be closed to both the public and campers.

Check the Fire Danger Rating

Visitors to the lake are encouraged to check the Fire Danger Rating via the BOM website.

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