Thousands of Brisbane households have been asked to get prepared for the risk of bushfires due to dry weather conditions.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said along with an increased program of planned burns and other preparations, Council has written to 30,000 Brisbane households living near bushland areas to raise awareness of the heightened fire risk.
“Brisbane residents are extremely resilient having been through floods and storms over the years,” he said.
“While Brisbane has not endured any major bushfires in recent years, our Council is getting prepared, and we are asking households in at-risk areas to do the same.
“The Bureau of Meteorology has maintained an alert watch for potential El Nino weather pattern which will herald hot and dry conditions in the months to come.
“We have more than 10,000 hectares of bushland and natural areas across our suburbs so it’s important we be prepared and do planned burns, fire trail construction and fuel hazard removal.
“Council has already completed 16 planned burns so far this year, covering more than 250 Suncorp Stadium fields worth of bushland.
“This year to date, we have completed eight more burns than 2022 and weather permitting, will complete more burns across suitable sites, if the weather permits.
“Each burn reduces the amount of fire fuel by 75 per cent across up to 80 per cent of the site which dramatically boosts the protection of surrounding homes against bushfire.
“We’re taking the steps now to make sure our suburbs and our residents are well-prepared for bushfires.
“We have 20 four-wheel drive firefighting units and more than 100 active fire-trained officers to complete planned burns and help if a bushfire does occur.”
Cr Schrinner urged residents living near bushland to remove fire risks from their properties and have a bushfire survival plan.
“We’re asking at-risk households across 26 suburbs to get prepared now ahead of bushfire season,” he said.
“That means tidying the yard, clearing gutters, and overhanging branches and raking up twigs and dried leaves from around the house and garden.
“Household are also encouraged to prepare an easily accessible emergency kit with important household items, documents, emergency phone numbers and the necessary items for children and pets.”
Suburbs receiving letters include Upper Kedron, Gumdale, Brookfield, The Gap, Nathan and Belmont.
Residents are encouraged to attend a free bushfire preparedness information session with workshops scheduled for 6pm Thursday 27 July at Carindale Library and Thursday 3 August at the Grove Sports Club in Ferny Grove.
For more information, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on 3403 8888
Head to www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news to keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane.
