Nature doesn’t wait for resources; in fact, I think it plays a game of ‘let’s see how well you can react to this weather event!’ as a dry-lightning storm forms on the horizon after prolonged dry.
Targeted planned burning is a key management tool conducted seasonally and aimed to reduce fuel loads to mitigate the risk of severe bushfire, and protect life, infrastructure and residential areas. It is also important to achieve fire schedules that are appropriate for the ecosystems being managed and conserved. This can only be achieved on K’gari through collaboration.
K’gari Fire Enhancement Team member Rachel Killer inspecting an insulated cultural tree after prescribed fire activities on K’gari. (Photo: QPWS). 
Monitoring the burn (Photo: QPWS) 
Monitoring the fire break (Photo: QPWS) 
A pall of white smoke drifts over the Great Sandy Strait following a prescribed burn on K’gari (Photo: QPWS)
The K’gari 2024 collaborative fire program started with productive meetings and planning leading to the successful completion of thirteen QPWS & BAC approved proposals incorporating 27 burn treatment areas within the 35-day weather window presented this season. Burning included small-block asset protection burns, bushfire mitigation burns, stage-burning larger land management (conservation) burns, and Butchulla cultural burning to return traditional burning practices to areas of K’gari.
On-ground fire application to break up broader bushfire-affected landscape is supported by strategic aerial incendiary for selected large-landscape management areas.
Collaborative works assisting Butchulla, the Department of Resources (DoR) and Fraser Coast Regional Council to treat ALA and USL protection blocks have provided further protection to residential areas. Two additional bushfire events have enabled staff to hone interdepartmental fire-reactive skills in preparation for the bushfire season.
Fire preparation is also an important part of any burn program and is essential to preserve life, property, habitat trees, infrastructure and assets including cultural assets.
At the centre of this program is the QPWS K’gari Fire Enhancement Team of four staff specialising in K’gari fire management and collaboration to ensure planned burn program objectives are met.
Collaborative fire management is important to acknowledge and we thank key stakeholders and other fire practitioners who apply appropriate fire on K’gari.
QPWS Senior Ranger K’gari Natural Resource Management – Fire Enhancement Team
FINIA 