With bushfire season fast approaching, Rockhampton Region residents are being urged to act now to help prevent fires.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Councillor Tony Williams, said that we all have a role to play in bushfire mitigation.
"As we saw last year, once a fire begins it can travel unbelievably quickly and be incredibly difficult to put out," said Cr Williams.
"However, if we all act now as a community we can really reduce the chances of a fire starting in the first place, and make sure we're not feeding any small fires that do begin.
"Relatively simple tasks – such as putting in fire breaks, mowing lawns, slashing overgrown vegetation, and emptying gutters – can really make a huge difference.
"As can clearing any green waste from your property, such as hedge trimmings, palm fronds, lawn clippings, and leaf litter, which can all be disposed of for free at any of Council's Waste Transfer Stations.
"It's also very important that every household ensures they have a current Bushfire Survival Plan and Emergency Kit ready to go in case a bushfire does begin.
"I know that even though everyone in our community understands how disastrous a fire can be, in our day to day lives it can be easy to put off cleaning our gutters or making a plan.
"However, I really want to encourage everyone to take a minute to really think about what a fire could mean for their family, their neighbours, or their community, and to ask themselves: 'is this something that can really wait?'"
Rural Fire Service (RFS) Regional Manager Brian Smith said that while firefighters are doing what they can to mitigate the chances of a fire, this is something that really does require a whole of community effort.
"Since the beginning of April our crews have been working hard to reduce the risk of bushfires, and we will be out in force over the coming months," said Mr Smith.
"However, recent weather conditions have meant that we haven't been able to make full use of the traditional bushfire hazard reduction period, known as Operation Cool Burn.
"Some hazard reduction burns have been put on hold, and there is a chance we will see a shorter than usual Cool Burn period this year.
"Fire prevention is always a whole of community issue, however, fewer hazard reduction burns this year means that it is absolutely crucial for individuals to do what they can to ensure we all stay safe this bushfire season."
