FIRE Services Minister Craig Crawford has called on Queenslanders to do their bit to help minimise the potential impact of fires during the bushfire season.
Mr Crawford and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll launched the state’s bushfire mitigation program, Operation Cool Burn, on Wednesday.
“Bushfire mitigation is a shared responsibility between key agencies and communities, helping minimise the potential impact of significant fires during the bushfire season,” Mr Crawford said.
“All Queenslanders are responsible for ensuring their property is protected from bushfire.
“Cleaning up around the yard is a simple, yet very effective task. Small tasks such as raking up leaves and clippings, mowing your grass short, or burning piles of flammable fuel, all go a long way.
“Remember – if it’s your property, it’s your fuel.”
Mr Crawford said it was vital for communities, firefighters and other agencies to come together to discuss their plans.
“There is no one size fits all approach to mitigation, so activities occur in different parts of the state at different times and range from community engagement events to large-scale hazard reduction burns.”
Ms Carroll said people who lived anywhere could be impacted by bushfires.
“A bushfire survival plan is a great safety tool that could mean the world of difference to your family, and your property, during a bushfire,” she said.
“It’s about Queenslanders sharing the responsibility, from understanding the local fire risk to knowing how to read Fire Danger Ratings and implementing a bushfire survival plan.”
Ms Carroll said one of the most effective bushfire mitigation activities was hazard reduction burns.
“Hazard reduction burns are proven to reduce the risk of severe and uncontrolled bushfires taking hold during the bushfire season,” she said.
“They make any resulting bushfires travel more slowly, be less likely to produce embers, have a lower flame height and be less likely to develop into a bushfire where the fire burns on top of the trees.
“By removing the fuel load from the landscape, firefighters are reducing potential bushfire threats, and minimising damage to life, property and the environment.
“It’s important we all take steps to protect the community, maintain biodiversity and assist with vegetation management while the conditions are favourable.”
