Our role in bushfires

In Queensland, bushfires can occur throughout the year and the bushfire risk can vary across the State at any given time.

Although bushfires are often a naturally-occurring part of the Australian landscape, they can be highly unpredictable, and in the worst case scenario, can have devastating impacts on the community, property and wildlife.

Generally, bushfires are more frequent and can be more severe from late winter to late summer.

Bushfire severity depends on the conditions at the time. The weather, overall dryness (or drought factor) and fuel loads are all contributing factors.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is the agency responsible for managing fire on its estate where there is no threat to life and property. This includes leading bushfire response operations either as a stand-alone agency or in partnership with other firefighting agencies such as QFD.

QPWS works year-round to reduce the risk and severity of bushfires on parks and forests through careful planning, implementing and monitoring fire management activities.

QPWS also works closely with neighbours and nearby communities to manage fire in line with its Good Neighbour Policy.

To mitigate and reduce bushfire impacts and foster a healthy environment, Rangers carry out hundreds of planned burns and other supporting activities every year.

QPWS manages the second largest planned burn program in Australia.

On average, QPWS carries out more than 400 planned burn activities every year, treating about 530,000 hectares of Queensland’s national parks and state forests. Bushfires burn an additional area of about 75,000 hectares of protected estate in Queensland per year.

During periods of severe or higher fire danger, parks and forests may be closed for public safety and to minimise the risk of additional fire in the landscape.