Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has imposed a local fire ban for South West Region residents, including the Warwick and Stanthorpe areas.
The local fire ban will be in place from 12.05am tomorrow, Friday 4 December, to 11.55pm Tuesday 8 December for residents in the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Western Downs, Maranoa, Murweh, Quilpie, Bulloo, Paroo and Balonne local government areas.
“Heightened fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly,” a spokesman said.
“Under a local fire ban, all open fires are prohibited (subject to exemptions) and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been cancelled.
“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.
“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.
Fires lit for the purpose of cooking or providing warmth are allowed, however must be used within a properly constructed vessel (such as barbecue, pizza oven, fire pit) where the fire cannot escape or cause embers to drift.
“Fires lit for the purpose of providing warmth are allowed, provided they are lit within a properly constructed receptacle (such as fire pit and brazier) within a suburban backyard and are not larger than 1m x 1m x 0.5m.
“Fires must not be left unattended and a firefighting device (such as a garden hose or extinguisher) must be available.
“Fires lit for the purpose of disposal of animal carcasses or for commercial necessity are permitted subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the Chief Fire Warden.”
• Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website, www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
