Council
National Bushfire Warning System
The following information has been provided by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
The requirement to obtain a permit for small fires has been introduced with the aim of reducing the number of fires that get out of control and to limit the demands placed on QFRS resources over the bushfire season. During the 2009 fire season small fires that escaped were a significant cause of bushfires because people lighting them did not recognise the changing way weather conditions can affect fire behaviour or did not exercise appropriate control and supervision of the fire.
Prior to lighting fires, residents should check with either their local fire warden or the rural of urban fire brigade in respect to information on making an application for a ‘Permit to Light Fire’ as well as whether any notice, notification or local fire ban applies for the area where it is proposed to light the fire.
All such notices and notifications are published on the Rural Fire Service and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service websites and in the media.
If you require any further clarification, please contact the Barcaldine Area Office 0746511190 or Emerald Area Office 0749820001.
All changes can also be viewed by visiting www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
About Fire Danger Ratings.
The Queensland State Government is implementing a new fire danger rating and national bushfire warning system as of 1 October 2009.
As a result of the interim findings of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, and in consultation with the other states, the new system sees changes to the fire danger rating system, with two new categories, Severe and Catastrophic, being added.
The new fire danger rating will also be used as a trigger for the level of advice and messaging to the community when a fire starts. There will be three types of alert messages: Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warnings.
Advice messages will keep people informed and up to date with developments on a fire.
Watch and act messages will advise people to take action to prepare and protect themselves.
Emergency Warnings, accompanied by the siren sound (State Emergency Warning Signal), will be activated to advise that you must take action immediately, you will be impacted by the fire.
As of 1 October the Fire danger will now be rated as
- Low-moderate
- High
- Very High
- Severe
- Extreme
- Catastrophic
Bureau of Meteorology fire weather forecast records indicate no cases of catastrophic rating in Queensland.