Hazard reduction burn program 2024
Every year, we undertake a hazard reduction burn program within our public parks, reserves and conservation areas. Reducing the fuel load helps reduce the risk of bushfires.
Hazard reduction burns help protect nearby properties and structures by burning ground fuels such as leaf litter and grass. These types of fires are generally ‘cool’ and are undertaken in appropriate weather conditions in the cooler months so that the fire burns slowly with small flames. We do our best to balance environmental values and protection with the need to reduce the risk of bushfires to homes, properties and lives.
Hazard reduction burn maps 2024
We will be conducting burns in the following locations over the next few months. You can download a map of the burn area.
Upper Coomera – completed
How we will keep you informed
Our hazard reduction burn program schedule is highly variable. Changes happen daily due to weather and site conditions.
We communicate in a variety of ways:
- Letter box drops
- Our City Alerts – Bushfire management web page and messages
- SMS and/or door knocking properties in immediate proximity on the day
- Signage near burn sites
Register for SMS notifications
We can notify you once we confirm when a burn is going to take place. Please note burns are often only confirmed 24–48 hours in advance.
Public impact
Smoke will be produced during the initial stages of the burn. The smoke may linger post-burn, depending upon vegetation type and moisture content.
Smouldering logs may continue for a few days after the burn and is to be expected. City officers will patrol the burn area to make sure it remains safe.
Park access during and immediately after the hazard reduction burn, will be closed for at least 2 weeks. There is a greater risk of trees and branches falling over this time. Please obey park closure signs, they are there for your safety.
Burn monitoring will occur over a 24-hour period until the site is deemed safe.
Are you a resident living near an upcoming hazard reduction burn?
On the day of the burn, please:
- Close your doors and windows
- Remove your washing from the clothesline
- Make sure your pets are in a protected area
- Place outdoor furniture under cover
- Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
- Clear gutters and yards of flammable material such as leaves
Tips for driving through smoke during a hazard reduction burn
- Turn on your lights, wind up all windows, close all vents
- Watch out for pedestrians and other vehicles
- Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety and safety of others
Benefits for the community
- Fuel loads reduced
- Fire trails maintained
- Vegetation buffer zones
- Decreased bushfire risk
- Decreased risk to your property
- Protecting habitat and water catchments
- Supporting biodiversity across our natural areas
By conducting our burns under optimal conditions, it helps to limit the impacts upon fire sensitive vegetation communities:
- Rainforest gullies
- Aquatic vegetation
- Riparian areas
Contact us
For more information please contact Fire and Risk Management on 07 5581 7169 or fireandriskmanagement@goldcoast.qld.gov.au