Cut the risk of bushfires

A free workshop will help residents manage the menace of bushfire.

AN influx of former city residents seeking a tree-change has led to an increased risk of bushfires in areas such as Captain Creek, according to a not-for-profit forestry group.

“As new developments go in, there’s a myriad of small properties appearing that are about 40 to 50 hectares,” Private Forestry Southern Queensland executive officer Sean Ryan said.

“A lot of the people who have moved there have never had to think about fire management so they don’t know what to do.”

But help is at hand for residents, with the organisation offering a free workshop on developing a fire management plan. “We will help householders calculate their fuel load and work out when to do a fuel-reduction burn, calculate the fire index, look at ignition techniques, and equipment handling,” Mr Ryan said.

Last month’s devastating fires in the area were an echo of an all-too-common experience, with Mr Ryan estimating that severe blazes occurred there about every five years.

“That is why it is so important that we have good maps of properties in the area with firebreaks and water sources marked,” Mr Ryan said.

“We are considering putting cylinders at the bottom of every driveway with property maps in them showing where to find water, and which fire breaks are dead ends, so that people don’t go up them and get trapped.”

PFSQ will also host a forestry plantation workshop on Doughboy Road, Doughboy, via Gin Gin, tomorrow.

Property owners will be able to get advice on how to harvest trees and maintain their plantations for the best long-term results.

The fire-management workshop will take place at Captain Creek Sports and Recreation Ground, 111 Murphys Road, Captain Creek.

Registration is from 8am on Saturday, to start at 8.30am sharp.

To register for either workshop, telephone 5483 6535.

• Ensure all fire breaks are maintained and adequate

• Plan for a controlled burn in mild conditions to keep average flame heights less than a metre

• Organise fire permits, drip torches, equipment and assistance before fire season