Redlanders have been urged to get bushfire ready as continuing dry conditions increase the risk of fires.
The heightened level of bushfire risk has led to Wildfire Alert 2 status being declared and Redland City Council and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service increasing personnel and equipment in preparation.
Council’s Community and Environmental Health and Wellbeing spokesperson Cr Wendy Boglary, said that while the deployment of extra fire crews was precautionary, residents in bushfire-prone areas needed to ensure they were ready.
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“The community can be confident Council and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service are taking all the necessary precautionary steps including undertaking 14 planned burns to back burn 40 hectares of vegetation and minimise the bushfire threat, ’’ Cr Boglary said.
“The QFRS has maximised its personnel and equipment on North Stradbroke Island for the next 24 to 48 hours and Council has responded in kind with two units deployed to the island and staff on high alert.
“Extra resources also have been deployed to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and a careful watch is being kept on high risk mainland areas.
“All residents need to be mindful of the heightened fire danger at the moment, particularly with a forecast for the hot and gusty winds to be followed by lightning storms.’
“We would ask that people not light fires, including burning off in their backyards and should be mindful of disposing of cigarette butts safely during these hot and dry conditions. People should also listen to the radio for news of fire bans in their area.”
Cr Boglary said residents needed to ensure they had a family emergency plan and emergency kit at the ready; including a first aid kit, protective clothing, medication and a battery operated radio.
“If you intend to stay and defend in the event of a fire, ensure you have expert advice; if you intend to leave, have an evacuation plan and somewhere ready to go,’’ she said.
“Don’t wait until a fire to make these decisions – there is no better safeguard than being informed and prepared, so ‘Get Ready Redlands’.’’
More information including how to prepare an emergency plan and emergency kit is available at www.redland.qld.gov.au or www.emergency.qld.gov.au.
Preparing an emergency kit:
1. Battery operated radio (with spare batteries);
2. Torch (with spare batteries);
3. First aid kit and manual;
4. Mobile phone and charger (where possible, spare batteries as well);
5. Personal hygiene and toiletry supplies;
6. Copies of home and medical insurance policies;
7. Copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licences);
8. Contact numbers for emergency services, family and friends.
