Local Towns Vulnerable To Bushfires

June 21, 2018

Firefighters have singled out Benarkin, Wattle Camp and Wondai as being vulnerable to bushfires over the next few months.

“These locations may pose a significant bushfire risk unless we take action, so it is essential we lay the groundwork now to identify and remove potential threats,” RFS Burnett Area Director Martin Taylor said.

“Firefighters will be out in force staging community information events and conducting planned burns, where appropriate.”

But the rest of the South and North Burnett should not sit back and relax.

A sustained run of bushfire activity in recent years has propelled the region up the list of Queensland’s major bushfire hotspots.

The Burnett has rocketed to sixth on QFES bushfire hotspot list – a rise of five places in two years.

The list compares the number of bushfires by season across all 17 Rural Fire Service commands, with the latest report covering the 2017 bushfire season.

Mr Taylor said the Burnett had averaged 153 bushfires a season for the past four seasons, with 2016 recording the highest individual amount with 185.

“This is a stark reminder of the evolving bushfire threat facing the North and South Burnett,” he said.

“Bushfire activity has been constant in recent years, and the seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer.

“This is due to a number of factors, including unpredictable weather patterns and changes to the landscape from season to season.”

Mr Taylor urged residents to work with rural firefighters to douse potential bushfire risks.

“Residents need to be proactive, and that means mowing the lawn regularly, preventing overgrowth on large properties, removing dry or dead leaf litter and keeping flammable items away from the home,” he said.

“These simple and effective steps will complement the work firefighters are doing on the ground and may be the key factor in preventing bushfires starting when conditions are at their worst.”

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