Pictured above: Fire burning on the ridgeline above Apjohn Street at the western end of Horseshoe Bay at 1100hrs 30/8/2024
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is conducting a planned burn in the north-western highlands of Magnetic Island National Park.
The fire has been burning around the highlands in the northern interior of the island. The fire can be seen, especially at night time, burning flammable material on the ridges. The fire will start moving slowly down the hills towards the lowlands at Horseshoe Bay West and the northern end of Bolger Bay over the coming days.
The planned burn is behaving as expected. Rangers and Rural Fire Brigade are monitoring the burn and are making preparations to suppress the fire in the lowlands. The map below is indicative of where the active fire is.
These burns aim to mitigate the risk and intensity of bushfires and their potential impacts on communities, infrastructure, parks, and forests.
They are also vital in promoting ecological health, biodiversity, and the conservation of species and habitats.
Planned burns are highly weather-dependent, generally requiring milder conditions and minimal wind.
These same weather conditions can also allow smoke to accumulate and linger until weather conditions change and winds assist in dispersing the smoke.
If smoke affects you:
Stay indoors and close windows and doors; and
Keep respiratory medication close by.
Live air quality data, and information on smoke and dust health actions, can be found on the Queensland Government’s website https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/monitoring/air
You can stay updated with local QPWS fire activities by visiting Park Alerts or by following Qld Park Alerts on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Public safety is the highest consideration in all QPWS fire management activities. To find out more visit the Fire Management webpage.
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