Brisbane prepares for bushfire season with highest number of back burns in almost a decade
Brisbane is bushfire season ready with fire crews completing the highest number of hazard reduction burns in almost a decade, with 18 burns across an area of 300 hectares completed since January.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was vital bushfire preparations were done right.
“As we saw on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, bushfires can quickly run out of control and threaten homes and lives, so it’s up to every resident who lives close to parks or bushland to be prepared and have a plan,” he said.
“This time last year fires were burning across the country and we faced one of the most catastrophic bushfire seasons in some time.
“I want Brisbane to be as prepared as possible, and this year we have completed 80 per cent more planned burns and covered almost 46 per cent more land than in 2019.
“There was an added challenge to this year’s hazard reduction burn with the coronavirus pandemic requiring social distancing for crews, but despite this extra challenge they got in and got the job done.
“When and where we can complete planned burns is guided by several conditions that are out of our control, including temperature, rainfall and winds.
“We were lucky to have good conditions earlier in this year from May to July which meant we could do additional planned burns.
“While the ideal conditions to complete planned burns has likely now passed, we are continuing with proactive bushfire preparedness in other ways.
“We have Council staff reducing fuel hazard across more than 10,000 hectares of natural areas, including cutting grass, maintaining fire trails, slashing fire breaks and treating weeds.”
Cr Schrinner encouraged residents who live next to bushland or in rural areas to do their part in planning for bushfire season.
“People should prepare their properties by tidying the yard, clearing gutters and overhanging branches and raking up twigs and dried leaves from their property and readying their emergency kits,” he said.
“Residents are also encouraged to have an emergency kit as well as a bushfire survival plan and practice it with their family.
“Council and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are hosting information sessions for residents in bushfire prone areas of the western suburbs and I encourage anyone who wants to find out more to attend.”
This year’s hazard reduction burns were conducted in Chermside West, Burbank, Belmont, Parkinson, Drewvale, Bardon, Kholo, Alderley, Aspley, Anstead, Mt Coot-tha and Karawatha.
No more planned burns will be completed this year unless conditions make it safe to do so. Council is unable to do any burns without a permit from QFES.
Bushfire Information sessions:
- Wednesday 7 October at 6pm – The Friary, 139 Brookfield Rd, Kenmore Hills
- Saturday 10 October at 10am – Mt Crosby Sports Ground, Alan Donovan Lane, Chuwar
- Wednesday 14 October at 6pm – Pullenvale Hall, 302 Grandview Rd, Pullenvale
- Saturday 17 October at 10am – Lake Manchester Hall, 667 Lake Manchester Rd, Lake Manchester
- Wednesday 21 October at 6pm – Moggill SES Depot, 398 Hawkesbury Rd, Moggill
- Wednesday 28 October at 6pm –Upper Brookfield Community Hall, Upper Brookfield Rd, Upper Brookfield
- Saturday 31 October at 10am – Anstead Reserve Park, 398 Hawkesbury Rd, Anstead
- Thursday 5 November at 6pm – The Kenmore Tavern, Function Room, 841 Moggill Rd, Kenmore
- Saturday 7 November at 10am – Pullenvale Hall, Grandview Rd, Pullenvale
- Thursday 12 November at 6pm – The Bellbowrie Tavern, Function Room, 5 Birkin Rd, Bellbowrie
- Saturday 14 November at 10am – Westaway Park, 4 Witty Rd, Moggill
- Saturday 21 November at 10am – Gap Greek Reserve, Gap Creek Rd, Mt Coot-tha
- Friday 27 November at 6:30pm – Kenmore Library, 9 Brookfield Rd, Kenmore