By Margaret Maccoll
Smoke has been billowing across Noosa over the past few days but there’s no need for concern.
The burns through the National Park at Noosa Hill are part of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Sunshine Coast winter burn program.
Senior ranger Omar Bakhach said it was the first burn on Noosa Hill in the 20 years he’d been a ranger in the area and it was a textbook exercise with a 70 per cent scorch across the terrain.
“In the winter months it’s a lot less devastating for the bush and wildlife than if we didn’t do it or if a fire was to go through there in summer in extreme conditions,” he said.
“We burn from the top of the hill down and it goes through with a low intensity.
“It looks a bit harsh immediately after the fire but we’ll get a lot of greening in the next fortnight.”
Omar said the Link section burn between Cooyar Street and the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union fields would be conducted during school holidays if the wind and weather conditions were suitable.
“QPWS have been assisted by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service including the Queensland Rural Fire Service which will be tasked with protecting infrastructure on the burn perimeter.”
Omar said this year’s burn program would complement major fire break upgrades by QPWS in the Noosa area over recent years.
“The national park and other green space areas make Noosa the special place it is, and we must manage the fuel loads to reduce the risk of wildfires later in the year.”
Omar said with wind changes common near the coast there was no way to direct smoke drift.
He said there may be some traffic disruptions as a consequence and he urged people with respiratory or other health problems to seek medical advice.
For more information visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au
