A TOTAL fire ban has been put in place across south-east Queensland as hot, dry conditions heighten bushfire threats across the region.
Very high fire danger levels across the state are expected to intensify throughout the next few days, as daytime temperatures heat-up and conditions dry.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Katarina Carroll said the fire ban covered Logan, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Somerset and Lockyer Valley council areas.
The ban was enacted on midnight on Wednesday and is expected to continue until midnight on Monday, August 20.
“A large part of the state is expected to reach a very high fire danger rating over the coming days, with some areas climbing to severe,” Ms Carroll said.
“These are perfect conditions for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.”
Fire permits were cancelled on August 10 until further notice as firefighters battled to control 67 bushfires last weekend.
Ms Carroll said the fire ban meant all open fires were prohibited. Fire permits remained cancelled.
Commissioner Carroll said fires could only be lit if contained within a properly constructed gas or electric barbecue and watched or for burning standing sugar cane, as per industry standard.
She urged people to take care with power tools, which could spark fires if care was not taken.
“...Ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start,” she said.
Ms Carroll also people to make bushfire survival plans.
“It is vitally important for everyone to be prepared and all households should have a bushfire survival plan so they know what actions they would take if a bushfire were to threaten their home,” Ms Carroll said.
“Queensland is now in the grips of bushfire season and fires can start anywhere and at any time, so we need the community to be prepared for the weeks and months ahead.”
For more information about the fire ban, visit ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
