Too dry for burnoffs, says fire service chief

PROPERTY owners have been told to reschedule all uneccesary burns this weekend as warm, dry weather has brought dangerous conditions to the Far North this weekend.

Rural Fire Services regional manager Lawrence Laing said the heightened fire danger meant officers were not issuing any burn permits until conditions improved.

He was also concerned about the number of fires starting as a result of people not knowing how to handle permitted burns.

“We’re in the middle of a very high fire danger period. We’ll get some rain this weekend but it won’t be enough to ease conditions,” Mr Laing said.

“There are concerns because there have been quite a few fires over the past few days which started from permitted burns.

“We are starting to restrict permits in the Tablelands, Mareeba and Cook Shire Council areas – those outside of Cairns that are more susceptible to the danger.

“We are asking people to be stricter in these conditions. Don’t light up at all if you don’t have to, or check with your fire wardens.”

Mr Laing said any fires on properties must be monitored continuously to avoid them getting out of control.

“All it takes is a person who leaves a fire still burning and it goes from there,” he said.

“At this stage, if you light a fire, do not leave until it’s out, or extinguish the fire.

“Make sure good practices are in place and resources are in place to relieve you.”

Mown fire breaks were also not acceptable.

Mr Laing said an edge might be 4m but still have grass that could catch fire.

“Make sure your property is neat and accessible too. At the end of the day if there is a fire, we have to get in there,” he advised.

“If a blade strikes a rock, that can start a fire too, so make sure you have a form of extinguisher with you while you’re working, whether it is water or an extinguisher.”

He advised drivers and residents to take precautions in smoky conditions as well.

Fires at Gordonvale and the Tablelands are expected to continue for a few more days due to backburning.

WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER PERIOD RURAL FIRE SERVICES REGIONAL MANAGER LAWRENCE LAING

Picture: INES GOOVAERTS KEEPING WATCH: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews were yesterday monitoring a bushfire burning near the Gillies Highway.