- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) breaks annual planned burns record.
- QPWS conducted 637 planned burns across 968,884 hectares from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- Planned burns reduce the impacts of bushfires and support healthy ecosystems throughout Queensland's Parks and forests.
- Team of 40 fire specialists to continue fire management under Crisafulli Government's More Rangers, Better Neighbours initiative.
The Crisafulli Government has achieved record-breaking planned burns throughout Queensland to minimise bushfire damage and improve community safety this fire season.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has undertaken burns and other treatments of almost 970,000 hectares of public protected estate with 637 planned burns in a single financial year.
The Crisafulli Government has invested in additional staff dedicated to fire management, more equipment, training and improved community engagement, as part of conserving our environment and delivering a plan for Queensland's future.
The resulting planned burns are crucial to promoting ecological health, biodiversity, and the conservation of species and habitats; and aim to mitigate the risk and intensity of bushfires and their potential impacts on communities, infrastructure, parks, and forests.
Under Labor, people living adjacent to National Parks across Queensland voiced their frustration in the lack of pest management and fire preparedness.
As a result, the Crisafulli Government committed to become better neighbours and ensure that national parks were better taken care of moving forward.
This included restoring funding for 40 specialist fire rangers that the former Labor Government left unfunded.
This result means QPWS has exceeded the 2024-25 target of 637,210 hectares by 52 per cent, contributing towards a more bushfire-resilient Queensland while supporting a healthy environment.
Planned burns are highly weather-dependent, generally requiring milder conditions and minimal wind to create a mosaic pattern of burnt and unburnt landscape.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said reaching this milestone was an impressive achievement.
"It is fantastic to see Rangers prepare our protected areas for the months and years ahead through the strategic use of fire," Minister Powell said.
"What they have achieved this year is astounding – bolstered by good weather, strong investment in the QPWS fire program and an increased use of aerial burning techniques to deliver broadscale burning across multiple parts of Queensland when conditions are right.
"I want to congratulate our QPWS rangers and Fire teams for their focus, coordination, and commitment to deliver such an incredible result – protecting Queensland communities and our precious environment."
QPWS Fire Services Director Troy Spinks said QPWS would continue to deliver planned burns over the coming weeks and months as favourable conditions allow for better burn results.
"Rangers have done an exceptional job this year, but people can still expect to see smoke on the horizon as crews make the most of these cooler, milder conditions to undertake even more burns within national parks and state forests," Mr Spinks said.
"These planned burns not only provide a picture-perfect sunset but prepare us for the upcoming bushfire season.
"We thank the community for your support and understanding over the coming weeks as we work to protect our parks and neighbours by delivering these vital planned burns."
