Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are currently well into the Operation Cool Burn period, which occurs annually throughout the cooler months of the year.
North Coast Region Rural Fire Service Bushfire Safety Officer Shaune Toohey said now was the time organisations came together for preparedness practices.
“This time of year our partners in bushfire mitigation, such as Queensland Parks and Wildlife, HQ Plantation and Bundaberg Regional Council and the wide communities, focus on the preparedness and prevention of bushfires occurring within our communities,” he said.
“But it is also about how our communities and households respond to these situations come bushfire season.
“The is done through some obvious areas such as hazard reduction burning but also more importantly, property preparation and education for those households that live within a bushfire prone area.”
Shaune said community education and activities were key when it came to bushfire preparedness.
“Activities provide ourselves and the community the opportunity to develop a clear understanding of our local environments but also how these environments support fires in bushfire season,” he said.
Apply for a permit if you want to burn
Shaune said of recent concern was the number of unpermitted burns that had been occurring in the Bundaberg Region.
“These unpermitted burns have resulted in unnecessary Triple 0 calls but more importantly, has seen our Rural Fire Service volunteers activated, taking them away from their place of employment along with spending time with their families after an already significant bushfire season.”
Shaune said the permit system in Queensland was a very easy process and came at no charge to property owners.
“You can request and receive a permit for any fires over 2 metres high, 2 metres long and 2 metres wide,” he said.
“All that is required is they comply with the conditions that are stipulated on the permit to light fire which they can get from their local fire wardens.”
Find out more here.
Shaune said for those wanting to light a small fire in the backyard, it was important to make surrounding neighbours aware first.
“It is also critical to take the time to look through local government bylaws around the use of fires, especially in backyards, to ensure you and your family are compliant with these bylaws,” he said.
“Overall we would like to thank all of those communities that were impacted in the recent bushfires in supporting our local crew, interstate crews and international crews in making our time in your communities a pleasure and keep up the brilliant work.
“Remember, now is the time to prepare your properties and to develop your bushfire survival plans if you don’t already have one.”
For additional information on bushfire preparedness in your household or community click here.
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