Bushfire Risk in Derby, WA: 2026 Assessment

Derby, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
The risk of bushfire in Derby is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and scrubland posing a potential fire hazard during the dry season.Updated 2 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

The risk of bushfire in Derby is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and scrubland posing a potential fire hazard during the dry season.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The risk of bushfire in Derby is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and scrubland posing a potential fire hazard during the dry season.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Derby, WA
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
6728
Highest high-risk exposure
19.4% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Derby, Western Australia, has a the risk of bushfire in derby is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and scrubland posing a potential fire hazard during the dry season. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Western Australia fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Residents should maintain firebreaks and be aware of bushfire safety procedures.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Derby, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Derby including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Derby sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 19.4% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 54.3% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Derby.

Derby (postcode 6728) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (19.4% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (6.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Derby — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent
BAL Overlay / ZoneDFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees, drainage systems, and flood barriers.

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Near-term

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Coastal Protection Measures

Near-term

Protect coastal areas from erosion and inundation through measures such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and managed retreat.

Est. cost: High

Improve Bushfire Preparedness

Long-term

Reduce the risk of bushfires through fuel reduction, firebreaks, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Shire of Derby/West Kimberley
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 April 2026

Explore Derby Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Derby in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Derby may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Derby has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Derby?

BAL ratings in Derby depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Derby?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Derby may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Derby?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Western Australia fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Derby is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.4% of Derby in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 54.3% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Derby Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Derby, Western Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections