NOOSA is about to get smoky with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to soon start planned burns throughout the region.
Dates for the burns in the greater Noosa areas are dependent on weather conditions, but QPWS senior ranger Justin Enslin said the burns in the heart of Noosa would involve multiple agencies.
“The link section of Noosa National Park behind Noosa police station, and Noosa Hill in the Headland section of the park, are two areas identified for burning this year,” Mr Enslin said.
“Noosa’s national park, nature refuges and green areas make it a special place, but we need to manage the fuel loads to reduce risk to residents in the wildfire season and also to ensure the overall health of the forest ecosystem.
“The link section burn will take place in the bushland area between Cooyar Street and the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union fields, near the Junction shopping precinct.”
For the planned burn, QPWS will be assisted by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and the Queensland Rural Fire Service, which will be tasked with protecting infrastructure on the burn perimeter such as the Oz-Care aged care facility and the Salvation Army houses.
“The Noosa Shire Council is providing support for the burns, and part of the Girraween nature refuge managed by council will be included,” Mr Enslin said.
“Conditions for burning are ideal for some coastal areas after recent rainfall, and the burns will help to achieve conservation outcomes and reduce fuel loads. QPWS has limited periods in which to conduct burns, especially these more complex burns next to urban areas that require multi agency input.”
Mr Enslin said agencies were working to minimise impacts on local residents such as smoke, changed traffic conditions and some temporary road closures.
“We urge people with respiratory or other health problems to seek medical advice on mitigating the effects of smoke inhalation,” Mr Enslin said.
The QPWS have been keeping residents updated on pending burns via local radio and print media, and park alerts on the NPSR (National Parks, Sport and Racing), Visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au to find out more.
