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Local fire ban for north coast residents

Nov 9, 2016 | Front Page Feature, News

Local fire restrictions will start from midnight tonight (Wednesday, 9 November).

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has imposed a local fire ban for residents in the Fraser Coast, Gympie, South Burnett, North Burnett, Cherbourg, Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast and Noosa areas.

The local fire restrictions will start from midnight tonight (Wednesday, 9 November) and will initially be in place until midnight Friday evening (11 November) for the below local government areas:

  • Fraser Coast Regional Council
  • Gympie Regional Council
  • South Burnett Regional Council
  • North Burnett Regional Council
  • Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
  • Bundaberg Regional Council
  • Sunshine Coast Council
  • Noosa Shire Council

Rural Fire Service (RFS) Regional Manager Peter Hollier said near severe fire conditions meant the weather was perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.

“Under the local fire ban, all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been cancelled,” Mr Hollier said.

Mr Hollier said the following types of fires were permitted during a local fire ban, providing conditions were followed:

– Fires within a properly constructed barbeque (gas or electric) if not left unattended;

– Fires for the purpose of disposing of animal carcasses subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by your local fire warden;

– Fires of commercial necessity subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by your local Area Director of Rural Operations;

– Fires lit for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry between the hours of 6pm and 6am; and

– Fires lit for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash between the hours of 6pm and 9am once a permit has been obtained from the local fire warden.

“Power tools may be used during the local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start,” he said.

“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.”

For more information contact your local fire warden or call 1300 369 003. To locate your local fire warden visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au

Media Release courtesy Fire and Emergency Services.