FIRE ACTION PLAN IS VITAL THIS XMAS FOR PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TO BUSHLAND, SAYS WALLACE

A series of controlled burns across North Queensland should help reduce the risk of wildfires this summer, but landholders should still take precautions, Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said the Department of Natural Resources and Water had carried out more than 60 planned burns on state land around North Queensland this year but was also asking the community to be prepared.

“We mostly do controlled burns on land close to homes and infrastructure to protect those properties,” Mr Wallace said.

“We remove accumulated fuel loads such as dry grasses and weeds, thereby minimising the risk that a wildfire will take hold in that area.

“However, there is still a chance that a fire will break out, so home owners need to be prepared for the potential threat.”

Householders living close to bushland should:

·Make sure that gutters are cleaned,

·Remove dry weeds and vegetation, and

·Put fire breaks in place where necessary.

"In addition to the planned burns, NRW has constructed 145 kilometres of fire breaks across the region to assist in preventing the spread of wildfire," Mr Wallace said.

He said it was imperative for people to take the time now to ensure they had a fighting chance in a bushfire.

“People can be very busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas and while there are plenty of things to get done, a fire action plan is vital.”

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