The planned burn, which will take place on Seqwater-managed land across Mooloolah and Landsborough areas which will be led by Seqwater, in collaboration with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, rural fire brigades and the community .
Seqwater Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Cassie, said the burn had been carefully planned to occur in late winter to take advantage of favourable conditions and weather forecasts.
“We are targeting land around the Ewen Maddock Dam area to protect life, property, the environment and water supply catchments which are vital to our drinking water supply.
“We are planning to start the burn on Friday, 4 September and expect it to continue for the weekend, depending on weather conditions.”
Mr Cassie said in line with Seqwater’s Hazard Reduction Burn Program, more than 20 planned burns of various sizes and locations had been completed across South East Queensland since mid-April.
At least seven of the burns carried out had been 'high priority burns' based on risk.
“As a large landholder in South East Queensland, Seqwater has been doing its part to mitigate bushfire risk to Seqwater-owned land and neighbouring properties,” Mr Cassie said.
“Planned burns help reduce fuel loads, such as grasses and dense undergrowth, and reduces the risks of bushfires.
“As well as bushfire mitigation, planned burns encourage natural regeneration of native vegetation and reduce water quality risks from the potential impacts of high intensity bushfires,”
“Most recently we successfully completed a large-scale 500-hectare burn, which spanned across the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim regions.”
In some parts of the burn area, there may be some residual smoke once the burn has been completed. However, Seqwater crews will continue to keep a close eye on the burn area.
Local residents with respiratory health conditions should always follow the advice of their health practitioner and if applicable, carry reliever medication at all times during the burn period.
Seqwater will notify neighbours and motorists in the area of potential smoke impacts with increased signage and notifications before ignition.
All planned burns are conducted in accordance with a QFES burn permit, which outlines the ideal temperature, wind speed direction and humidity conditions to conduct the burn.
For more information on the Ewen Maddock Burn, visit: www.seqwater.com.au/news/multi-agency-planned-burn-ewen-maddock-dam
Communities which can expect some smoke impacts:
