Trail walkers pose burning question
Back Burning
Weekend hikers have captured footage and questioned the safety of backburning operations on Hartley’s Creek Trail as fires lit early last week were still burning unattended yesterday, Sunday, August 24.
Joseph and Esther Faggianelli raised their concern in an email to Newsport, sharing video footage of the slow-burning fires.
“On our hike at Hartley’s Creek Trail today (Sunday), backburning fires not completely put out. Is this acceptable?,’’ their short email asked.
“Backburning was last week tue/wed/thurs.’’
A release earlier this month celebrated a record-breaking planned burns throughout Queensland to minimise bushfire damage and improve community safety this fire season.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has undertaken burns and other treatments of close to 970,000ha of public protected estate with about 640 planned burns in a single financial year, the release explained.
The State Government has invested in additional staff dedicated to fire management, more equipment, training and improved community engagement, as part of conserving our environment and delivering a plan for Queensland's future, it added.
The resulting planned burns are described as crucial to promoting ecological health, biodiversity, and the conservation of species and habitats; and aim to mitigate the risk and intensity of bushfires and their potential impacts on communities, infrastructure, parks, and forests.
The QPWS has exceeded the 2024-25 target of about 637,000ha by 52 per cent, contributing towards a more bushfire-resilient Queensland while supporting a healthy environment.
“Planned burns are highly weather-dependent, generally requiring milder conditions and minimal wind to create a mosaic pattern of burnt and unburnt landscape.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said it is fantastic to see rangers prepare our protected areas for the months and years ahead through the strategic use of fire.
“What they have achieved this year is astounding – bolstered by good weather, strong investment in the QPWS fire program and an increased use of aerial burning techniques to deliver broadscale burning across multiple parts of Queensland when conditions are right,’’ Mr Powell said.
QPWS fire services director Troy Spinks said QPWS would continue to deliver planned burns across the coming weeks and months as favourable conditions allow for better burn results.
“Rangers have done an exceptional job this year, but people can still expect to see smoke on the horizon as crews make the most of these cooler, milder conditions to undertake even more burns within national parks and state forests,” Mr Spinks said.
“These planned burns not only provide a picture-perfect sunset but prepare us for the upcoming bushfire season.
“We thank the community for your support and understanding over the coming weeks as we work to protect our parks and neighbours by delivering these vital planned burns.”
Attempts to contact the issuer of the release for comment specific to the Hartley’s Creek Trail backburning have proved unsuccessful.
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