Brigades gear up for bushfire threat

Extra stores of firefighting foam, protective clothing and breathing masks are being distributed for brigades across the State ahead of the traditional start to the bushfire season next month, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said distribution of $500,000 of additional equipment was part of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service's preparations for intensive bushfire season this year.

"More than 900 additional 20-litre drums of foam have been distributed to 24 strategic rural fire brigade locations to provide ready access for firefighters," he said.

"An additional 1550 sets of personal protective clothing - trousers and jackets - and 17,000 improved breathing masks are also being distributed to brigades across the State."

Mr Roberts said the bushfire risk this year was greater due to substantial rain and flooding across large tracts of Queensland at the start of the year.

"Following these rains, vegetation flourished and increased the fuel load at winter when it dries out," he said.

QFRS has projected it will issue more than 13,000 permits to light fire and oversee more than 2000 hazard reduction burns by the end of next month.

"QFRS has been worked with State and local government agencies and other landholders to reduce the fuel load through hazard reduction burn," Mr Roberts said.

"These burns are essential to reduce fuel loads as many parts of the State received large falls of rain and flooding at the start of the year."

"Recent rain has hampered these efforts by delaying hazard reductions burns. The rains have not dampened the bushfire threat."

Mr Roberts said the Queensland Government had allocated an increased budget of $28.2 million for QFRS Rural Operations in 2008-09, including

$3.6 million for 32 new rural fire appliances, $1.1 million for rural volunteer training and $1 million for personal protective equipment for volunteers.