Fire Brigade warns of need to clean up

PALMWOODS residents have been urged to take precautionary measures to prevent the loss of lives and property during the upcoming peak fire danger season.

State Emergency Services Minister Mick Veivers said Queensland was facing a potentially disastrous bushfire season due to an unprecedented build up of fire "fuel".

"Rains which brought floods to widespread areas of Queensland earlier this year have created an unprecedented build up of fuel which could lead to a major bush and grass fire season," he said.

"Already some Rural Fire officers have planned burn-offs to mitigate the hazard in their areas and, as long as weather permits, that will continue in the months ahead."

Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade President Keith Golinski has urged local property owners to reduce their bush and grass fire risks by undertaking property, homes and shed clean ups.

"Anyone concerned about the fuel load build-up should contact their local fire warden or the Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade to discuss controlled burn-offs," he said.

Data collected by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority’s Rural Fire Division clearly shows more than half the State is now at "extreme or very high" risk of bushfire.

The Statewide Risk and Preparedness Assessment shows five shires were at an extreme bush fire list, with 44 listed at a very high risk.

The data was gathered on the ground by Rural Fire District inspectors as well as from satellite imagery.

Property owners require a permit to burn prior to conducting any burn-offs.

Permits can be obtained from local Fire Wardens:

Palmwoods East, Ron Baumann, Wes Rudd, Peter Westnewman; Palmwoods West, Dennis Creasey, Ken Laidlaw, Glen Shurvell, Laurie Wallace and Bob Rowland.

Further information is available from the Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade, phone 5445 0048.