As temperatures dip during the cool of winter, Sunshine Coast Council is heating up its efforts to reduce the risk of local bushfires.
Local Disaster Group Chairman Councillor Tim Dwyer said a series of prescribed burns were set to take place across the region, ahead of the peak bushfire period.
“It may surprise some people that the period from late September to November is the most common timeframe for bushfires to occur locally,” he said.
“As bushland dries out during the winter months it creates a lot of potential fuel for bushfires so its important that council undertakes these controlled burns in areas most at risk to reduce the volume of forest fuels.”
A prescribed burn will be undertaken at Ben Bennett Bushland Park on Wednesday 8 August between 3:30pm and 8pm. This burn was originally scheduled to take place during early winter however was delayed due to wet weather. Nearby residents have been advised of the burn. A Permit to Light Fire has been obtained from QFRS Caloundra Station and both Firecom and the Caloundra Station will be informed before lighting.
Further controlled prescribed burns are set to take place at the following locations on the first suitable day (weather permitting) between Monday August 14 and September 28:
Caloundra
Buderim
Noosa
Access to these areas will be restricted while burns are in progress. Residents living in the immediate vicinity of the prescribed burns have been notified of the activities and provided with contact details for council’s Bushfire Management Officer.