Redland City Council has reiterated its message to residents to be bushfire ready following days of high temperatures and dry conditions.
Mayor Karen Williams said while Council was on alert and constantly meeting with other agencies, it was important residents did their part to prepare themselves and their property.
“People living in bushfire-prone areas need to be aware of the environment in which they live and take appropriate steps to protect their family and their home,” she said.
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“If fire breaks out there is often little time to escape to safety, so having a survival plan and practising it can save lives.
“Residents should also prepare their properties by trimming trees and removing overhanging branches around the house, cleaning gutters and removing or mowing growth around sheds, fences and gates.”
Cr Williams said hot days and below average rainfall in November provided ideal conditions for fires.
“Only last week Council officers were called out to a few wildfires in council-owned bushland, so we need the community to be on alert.
“Although the Bureau of Meteorology predicts above average rainfall through to January, there is still a risk of fires.
“Fires can still start with dry lightning strikes, we’ve seen that happen in the past on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) in September last year.
“We’ve also seen how easily fires have torn through bushland on Fraser Island further north, which is a timely reminder.”
Council has continued its hazard reduction program on the mainland, Southern Moreton Bay Islands and North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) throughout the year, including planned burns, physical fuel removal and other general maintenance activities.
“While Council mitigates fire risk on Council-managed land, it is vital for effective fire management that all property owners meet their obligation to manage fire risks on their own land,” Cr Williams said.
“It is also important for people to stay informed, which they can do by monitoring Council’s news site, social media and Disaster Dashboard.”
Council also has a free, opt-in emergency messaging service people can subscribe to via the Disaster Dashboard.
For more information, come and speak with members of the Rural Fire Service, SES and Council’s Disaster Management and Fire Management Teams at the free Movie in the Park this Saturday 5 December from 4pm at Mount Cotton Village Community Park.
Tips to prepare your home
- Clean gutters and downpipes
- Trim trees and overhanging branches around your property (check with Council first)
- Install metal screens or shutters to prepare your home against embers
- Ensure LPG cylinder relief valves point away from the house to minimise fire risk
- Make sure pumps or generators are working and ready if needed
- Make sure things that can burn are well away from your house
- Protect underfloor spaces with non-combustible sheeting or mesh
Tips to make a household emergency plan
- Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as medications, legal papers, first aid, a battery-operated radio, batteries, pet food, money and a torch
- Have a good supply of bottled water readily available
- Decide whether to go early or stay and defend
- Identify a safe place to evacuate to and decide how you’d look after your pets
- Make sure everyone in your household knows your emergency plan
- Know your neighbours as they can be a source of support during emergencies
For weather and warning updates
- Bureau of Meteorology: bom.gov.au/qld
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services: qfes.qld.gov.au
- Redlands Disaster Dashboard: disaster.redland.qld.gov.au
- ABC radio
