September 8, 2016
An idea by firefighters at McEuen Rural Fire Brigade has become reality, and may just save some lives and property this bushfire season.
Roadside banners with the simple message ‘Are you going to be safe this fire season?’ will soon start appearing throughout the South and North Burnett regions.
McEuen brigade First Officer Greg Day presented eight of the banners to Area Director (Burnett) Inspector Neil Kelso on Thursday morning.
The banners will be rotated around the region a week at a time so the message doesn’t become stale for passing motorists.
Greg said he hoped children would also see the banners, and ask their parents: “Hey, mum and dad, is our place going to be safe this year?”
Originally McEuen brigade was only going to have one banner made up, or perhaps two if they could afford it.
However, $2000 became available from funds raised from the fire levy so eight banners could be made.
Greg said he expected the South Burnett would have “a busy” fire season this year.
“There are not a lot of cattle around and we have had a bit of rain,” he said. “It’s still green now but it will start to dry off as soon as the heat comes in.”
He said soil moisture levels were also low.
However, a bonus for the region this year was a new rural tanker, North Coast 73, which could carry 7000 litres of water to replenish rural units.
Local rural brigades have already been called to a number of fires in recent weeks, including several hay shed fires and a large blaze burning near Wild Deer Drive, Scotts Close and Stretton Drive at Teelah on September 3.
This fire is believed to have been sparked from a burn-off that went out of control.
Greg called on rural residents around the region to make sure there was a clear area around their houses, and to check that gates and driveways were wide enough and high enough to allow fire trucks easy access.
“Every minute counts,” he said.
