Queensland plans to fight fire with fire this winter

Queensland fire authorities are planning to fire with fire in a state-wide bid to avoid a serious bushfire threat later this year.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the 2008 bushfire season had the potential to be very serious, and it was critical that land managers took action now.

“The bushfire threat has been exacerbated this year. As a result of rains in January and February, grasses and other vegetation flourished in many areas,” Mr Roberts said.

“The monsoonal rains and floods were damaging to many communities, but they also have provided ample fuel for fires.”

“Queensland has been relatively dry since and by August, when traditional westerly winds arrive, the bushfire risk could be serious and we don’t want to take any chances.”

“That is why action needs to be taken now. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is currently working with local councils and other land managers to conduct hazard reduction burns.”

QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson said by the end of August, QFRS would have issued more than 13,000 permits to light fire and it would have overseen more than 2000 hazard reduction burns.

“At the moment we are experiencing cooler weather, smaller winds and lower humidity which mean the risk of a fire getting out of control is relatively low,” Mr Johnson said.

“In these conditions it is a lot safer to work with fire and control the fire to burn the land could pose a problem in spring.”

“While the atmosphere may be a bit smoky for a while, the protection that residents will gain from hazard reduction burns will far outweigh the immediate discomfort.”

“People who haven’t undertaken any preventative measures around their properties place an extra burden on fire crews, and it is unfair to place the safety of firefighters at risk in order to protect properties where the householder hasn’t undertaken any hazard reduction or preventative maintenance.”

Preventative measures include:

-Clearing scrub and undergrowth around homes as they are potential fuel for a fire

-Keeping grassed areas well trimmed and waters

-Clearing firebreaks around homes in rural or rural fringe areas.

Landholders must contact their local fire warden or fire station for a Permit to Light Fire if they want to light an open fire larger than two metres.

Any residents with concerns about the bushfire risk in their area or anyone wishing to conduct a controlled burn can contact their local fire warden or visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 003 for more information.

11 May 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Minister’s office) 0418 197 350