Plan and prepare to take the heat out of this bushfire season

Queenslanders are urged to take action now to prepare themselves, their families and their properties for the arrival of bushfire season which usually starts in August.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Bill Byrne said a new online tool available on the Rural Fire Service website helps families prepare their own Bushfire Survival Plan quickly and easily, and also learn vital bushfire preparation tips along the way.

Mr Byrne encouraged people to visit the website to familiarise themselves with what to do in the event of a bushfire.

“Just about any area of Queensland can be affected by bushfire so it’s important we all understand what we need to know and do if a bushfire occurs,” he said.

“It’s also important to recognise that you don’t have to live in the bush to be threatened by bushfire, so having a Bushfire Survival Plan in place, just in case, is a way you can protect your family and home well in advance.

“The development of this online tool means people across Queensland, and those located in bushfire-prone areas, have information and the ability to create their own plan at their fingertips to learn how to best prepare for bushfire season.

“This is also important information for people travelling around or visiting Queensland as situations can change quickly and everyone should be prepared.”

Mr Byrne said householders needed to make sure their Bushfire Survival Plan outlined whether they would leave their property early or stay if a bushfire threatened and that this should be decided well in advance.

“It’s too late to start planning when a bushfire is approaching, so I urge Queenslanders to review their options and decide on their plan now so they know what action they will take.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said firefighters had been working hard to prepare the state for bushfire season, but families needed to take steps around the home to get ready.

“Property preparation is an important element when it comes to reducing the threat and severity of a bushfire, so people should look at the simple things they can do like mow their lawn regularly and remove combustible materials like dry leaves and branches in gutters and yards,” Mr Wassing said. 

“The Rural Fire Service website contains vital tips for people on preparing their properties and homes, and I encourage Queenslanders to visit the site to find out more on what they can do to be better-prepared this bushfire season.”

Mr Wassing said recent rain in some parts of the state did not mean people could be complacent when it comes to bushfire.

“We are approaching the period when bushfire activity ramps up and the recent wet weather has provided a small window of opportunity to mitigate bushfire hazards – so now is the time for people to get out there and act,” he said.

Mr Wassing said QFES and its partner agencies had conducted planned burns on more than 13,000 hectares of bushfire-prone land.

“QFES has also maintained a strong presence in communities in identified bushfire prone locations, engaging with more than 2000 local residents through door knocks, face-to-face meetings and information displays,” he said.

“Preventing bushfires is a community effort. If we all work together and do a little bit ahead of bushfire season, we’ll achieve a lot.”

For more information about preparing for bushfire season and to prepare your own Bushfire Survival Plan visitwww.ruralfire.qld.gov.au

ENDS 

Media contacts

Minister Byrne: 0478 325 738