Townsville City Council is encouraging residents to get bushfire ready after finishing its last controlled burn of the year ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
Council's Environmental Restoration Bushfire team carried out seven burns across the city, the last of those at the Hervey Range Waste Transfer Station last week.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said Council carried out carefully planned controlled burns every year to mitigate the risk of bushfires.
"We carry out anywhere between seven to ten burns yearly to reduce the fire fuel loads across the city," Cr Soars said.
"As part of our Bushfire Management Program, we also maintain fire trails and manage the growth and spread of weeds across our region.
"This year, we carried out two controlled burns at Castle Hill as well as controlled burns at Mount Louisa, Shaw, Mount Stuart, Toomulla and Hervey Range.
"We will also maintain more than 55kms of fire trails across the region to help limit the spread of any fires that may start.
"Our burns compliment the bushfire mitigation efforts carried out by the Department of Defence and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
"We also play a part in the management of emergencies across the city year-round, and often support emergency services, whether that's through the supply of Council water trucks, or Council fire-trained crews for mop-up activities."
Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Committee chairperson Jenny Hill said Council was now encouraging residents to do their part around their homes to help protect themselves and their neighbours against bushfires.
"Due to the unseasonal late rain we had in winter, there is quite a high fuel load around the Townsville region, and we need the community to do their part to help limit the chance of a bushfire starting and spreading," Cr Hill said.
"Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have some great tips online to prepare your home and property against the threat of bushfires.
"It is as simple as clearing gutters and the roof of leaves, cleaning up around the house, mowing your yard regularly and reviewing and updating your Bushfire Survival Plan.
"We also encourage residents to become familiar with Council's disaster dashboard where information on fires, floods and power outages is updated regularly."
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