Below is a media release issued by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) at 1pm on Saturday 15th November 2014.
Local fire ban for four Queensland regions
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has imposed a local fire ban for the Brisbane and South Eastern regions and parts of the North Coast and South Western regions from midnight tonight (16/11/14) to midnight Tuesday night (18/11/14).
Local Government areas within the following regions will be subject to a local fire ban;
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North Coast – Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett, Cherbourg, South Burnett and Bundaberg.
Brisbane and Surrounds – Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay, Ipswich
South Western – Goondiwindi, Southern Downs, Western Downs and Toowoomba
South East – Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, Lockyer, Somerset
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Lee Johnson said severe fire conditions in these regions meant the weather was perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.
“Under a 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 Johnson said.
Mr Johnson said the following types of fires were permitted during a local fire ban, providing conditions were followed:
• Fires for cooking purposes 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 Fire Service Queensland;
• Fires lit for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry; and
• Fires lit for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash between the hours of 6.00pm and 5.00am.
“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however the 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.”
Mr Johnson said the G20 Summit declared area will be exempt from the local fire ban imposed for the Brisbane Region.
For more information contact your local Fire Warden or call 1300 369 003.
