Community & Business
18 September, 2022
Large burn in prep for fi re season
A LARGE hazard reduction burn conducted on 115 hectares off the Clohesy River Road recently has provided some comfort for landholders with the fire season on our doorstep.
“Operation Mustang” involved 13 “appliances” and 42 volunteers from seven fi re brigades to complete the job over two days.
Speewah Rural Fire Brigade’s Yvonne Thomson said approximately 115 hectares of land off Clohesy River Road was deemed a wildfire hazard and planning began in June to alleviate the problem.
“Unfortunately, the constant rain in the beginning of the year produced a heavy amount of grass and allowed the ground to become waterlogged and cold and earlier work could not eventuate,” she said.
Landholders offered to clear breaks to provide access and safety for brigade vehicles.
The area was mapped and divided into sections which would be controlled by Sector Commanders in a mosaic pattern which would slow the fire and make areas safe, from which other sections could be burnt.
Ms Thomson said the larger hazard reduction burn offered a perfect opportunity to complete practical basic training assessments of some keen new volunteers of Wonga Beach Rural Fire Brigade.
Rural Fire Cairns Peninsula Area director Neil Parker was also onsite to pass on his comprehensive knowledge gained during many years of fire management.
“Every year we see on television terrible wildfires throughout Australia and are thankful that we are trained and prepared to carry out this fire mitigation beforehand,” Ms Thomson said.
