Kurrimine Beach fires up for controlled burn

Kurrimine Beach will be alight next week when the Department of Natural Resources and Water leads a hazard reduction burn over 1800 hectares.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said more than 100 people from 12 agencies would work on the controlled burn-off next Tuesday and Wednesday, August 14-15, to minimise the risk of wildfires in the area, situated north of Mission Beach and south of Tully.

“Hazard reduction burns are designed to produce low-intensity, slow moving fires that remove accumulated fuel loads such as dry grasses and weeds," Mr Wallace said.

“The lighting pattern for each burn is planned and implemented to create a wildlife corridor so that slow moving native animals can easily escape the low intensity flames.

"This particularly large scale burn gives the agencies involved a chance to update their knowledge about ground and aerial ignition operations and aerial observation.

"There will be a number of activities not often seen during smaller hazard reduction burns, including aerial incendiary fire drops from a helicopter which take about a minute to ignite on the ground causing small fires in the undergrowth.”

Natural Resources and Water project co-ordinator Tony Johnston said the burn would extend between Cowley Beach and Kurrimine Beach east of Stevenson Road.

“Residents bordering State land, as well as others who may be affected by smoke from the hazard reduction burns, should take adequate precautions,” he said.

“We try to minimise any inconvenience, but this burn is essential to reduce the risk that wildfires pose to our communities, infrastructure and native fauna and flora.

“Weather-wise it's also a perfect time to start these operations. The cool overnight temperatures produce enough dew to dampen the ground and retard fire spread."

Mr Johnston said member agencies taking part in the Kurrimine burn were part of the local and State Wildfire Management committees. They pool manpower, equipment and knowledge to better manage resources and protect the community.

Other agencies involved are Queensland Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Atherton Tablelands Geographic Information Services, Canegrowers, Cardwell Shire Council, Johnstone Shire Council, Queensland Police Service, Environmental Protection Authority, Queensland Ambulance Service, Forestry Plantations Queensland and Main Roads.

For further information: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s area, on 0407 131 654.