Jandowae prepares for fire season

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service south west region bushfire safety officer John Welke said during the winter months it was important to prepare for fire season.

A hazard reduction burn took place along two kilometres of road frontage at Jandowae on Tuesday, covering roughly 20 hectares.

It was a joint initiative between QFES, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Q Rail.

Over the past month Mr Welke and his team have conducted five hazard reduction burns and expect to conduct the same amount again in the next month.

He said local rural fire brigades had also been conducting burns.

“Obviously, we get a far cooler burn during the winter months and this allows for favourable hazard reduction burning without it being detrimental to the environment,” Mr Welke said.

“The burn off today is mitigating many risks to the local township – one being the obvious risk of bushfire and fast moving grassfires to the township.

“But we are also working on pest and weed management for local landowners and graziers which is particularly important during these dry times.”

Mr Welke, who is based in Toowoomba, is also a brigade training and support officer.

He encouraged landowners and property managers to prepare the property for the upcoming fire season and have a bushfire survival plan in place.

“The most effective method is certainly hazard reduction burning where appropriate and applicable,” he said.

“However we understand during these dry times many farmers don’t want to burn off what to the fire service is potential fuel but to the farmer is fodder for their livestock during winter.

“If hazard reduction burning isn’t a practical solution to mitigate risks on private property we ask that landholders construct fire breaks wherever possible and ensure that they have fire fighting assets such as pumps, tanks and hoses all available and serviceable ready to defend their property in the event of a wildfire.”