How a Chinchilla bushfire was contained

State forests in the Western Downs region, including Nudley State Forest, support the commercial production of hardwood timber species and cypress pine, a fire-sensitive resource that plays an important role in the local timber industry and surrounding communities.

To protect these valuable resources from the threat of the bushfire, 24 staff members joined the response both on the fireground and in planning and supporting roles.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Rangers led the response with valued assistance from Rural Fire Service Queensland personnel and neighbouring landholders.

Firefighting Rangers used on-ground crews, dozers and graders to contain the fire and protect the forest’s environmental, cultural and commercial timber values and neighbouring properties.

With bushfire severity dependant on conditions including the weather, overall dryness (or drought factor) and fuel loads, this quick, collaborative response led to the fire being contained in just over a week, impacting 6,480 hectares (16,012 acres) in total.

Ranger crews continued to patrol the forest, douse hotspots with water and strengthen containment lines in the days after the fire’s containment.

QPWS works year-round to reduce bushfire risk and their potential impacts on parks and forests through careful planning, implementing and monitoring fire management activities. You can learn more by watching ‘How we burn to conserve’.