Premier encourages bushfire awareness

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has encouraged people to become more bushfire aware with a series of open days at Queensland fire stations.

The first 60 including regional Queensland will open this Saturday (September 28) to share information directly with neighbours about preparedness and conditions of this year’s bushfire season.

The Premier said it’s part of a campaign already underway.

“We know about cyclones and floods,” the Premier said.

“But now we have to know about bushfires.

“As we’ve seen in Peregian, the Granite Belt and the Scenic Rim, fires come with little warning and we have a long season ahead of us.”

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford said in the past financial year alone, the Department of Environment and Science conducted 313 planned burns in national parks and native forest, covering more than one million hectares.

“This was the most hectares treated by planned burns in the past five years, with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services also conducting 218 priority activities including 97 hazard reduction burns across more than 15,000 hectares,” Mr Crawford said.

“That’s a 10 per cent increase on the previous year and 40 per cent higher than the prescribed target. Our fire crews are always well prepared,” he said.

“Now we need everyone to understand bushfires are no longer limited to remote areas and we all need a plan.”

For more information about Fire Station Open Days go to: https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Pages/Open-Day.aspx

For more information about Bushfire Preparedness go to: https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety/Pages/Prepare-for-bushfire-season.aspx

ENDS 

Media Contact:      

Premier’s office - Shane Doherty 0439 624 473

Minister Crawford’s office – Gemma Buxton 0477 445 331