HAZARD-REDUCTION BURN AT MOUNT MORGAN

Mount Morgan residents will benefit from a series of controlled burns on unallocated state land in the area to help reduce the threat of bushfires next summer, Natural Resource Minister Craig Wallace and Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce said today.

Department of Natural Resources and Water staff, in conjunction with Queensland Fire and Rescue Service officers, will conduct strategic fuel-reduction burns around the Mount Morgan town area from May 8 to 11.

Mr Wallace said it was important to conduct controlled burns at this time of the year.

“Early season planned burns are often more manageable and less damaging to the environment,” he said.

Most burns are held between autumn and spring when there is a lower risk of blazes escaping and becoming wildfires.

Mr Pearce said NRW would implement its smoke management policy to help restrict the impact of smoke on local residents, as well as advise them via a letterbox drop.

“NRW will set alternative dates for the burn if weather conditions are not deemed favourable to safely achieve the burn’s objectives,” Mr Pearce said.

The MountMorgan work follows a successful controlled burn conducted at MountWheeler, located between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, last month.

Departmental officers conducted the burn in conjunction with the Cawarral Rural Fire Brigade, which sent one of its top crews.

Mr Wallace said the Mount Wheeler work involved fuel reduction and enhancing a strategic control line.

He said the department was working with contractors and conducting regular inspections of the MountWheeler area to keep it safe from possible fire risks.

Media contact: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.