Bushfire mitigation and planned burns

We carry out a range of activities for bushfire mitigation including:

  • planned burns on Council land in coordination with Queensland Fire Department (QFD)
  • construct and maintain firebreaks and management access tracks
  • encourage maintenance of overgrown land
  • maintain fire buffer zones
  • undertake bushfire management planning
  • support QFD to educate and notify the community of fire season and how to be prepared
  • maintain fire hydrants and water access points for use by firefighters
  • participate as an active member of the Darling Downs Area Fire Management Group.

Planned burns

Benefits of planned burns

By carefully burning selected areas, planned burns:

  • help limit the intensity and spread of potential bushfires
  • reduce fuel loads
  • maintain fire trails
  • create vegetation buffer zones
  • support healthy bushland by encouraging natural regeneration and the growth of local native plants
  • decrease the risk to your property.

Planned burns reduce fuel loads in bushfire‑prone areas by safely and slowly removing excess undergrowth under controlled conditions. This approach allows wildlife time to move away from burn areas.

These types of fires are generally ‘cool’ and are undertaken in appropriate weather conditions in the cooler months so that the fire burns slowly with small flames. We do our best to balance environmental values and protection with the need to reduce the risk of bushfires to homes, properties and lives.

All planned burns are only carried out with a permit to light issued by the Queensland Fire Department and are undertaken strictly when weather and site conditions are suitable.

How to stay informed about planned burns

Our planned burn program schedule is highly variable as the weather and site conditions will determine if a burn goes ahead.

We let residents know about planned burns via our Facebook page.

The proposed schedule for planned bushfire mitigation activities for the 2025-26 year can be found in our Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2025-26(PDF, 104KB).

How to prepare for a planned burn

While we do our best to limit an impact on residents, planned burns may result in smoke and haze. To reduce any impact:

  • close your doors and windows
  • remove your washing from the clothesline
  • make sure your pets are in a protected area
  • limit your driving in smoke haze affected areas.

Fire Mitigation Action Plan

Prescribed fuel reduction burns conducted ahead of the fire season play an important role in alleviating risk, however they form only one part of the overarching Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2025-26(PDF, 104KB).

We support a coordinated approach to bushfire risk mitigation with a group of government, business and community organisations called the Darling Downs Area Fire Management Group. This group includes Queensland state government departments of fire and emergency services, Transport and Main Roads, Parks and Wildlife Service, rail and health services, in addition to representatives of Ergon, Telstra, Powerlink and HQ Plantations, along with community, the Bunya People Aboriginal Corporation and Agforce SEQ.

The Darling Downs Area Fire Management Group uses the Fire Mitigation Action Plan to:

  • identify bushfire hazards and plan bushfire mitigation activities
  • support long-term vegetation management
  • engage with the community
  • support partner organisations and landowners in preparation for bushfires.

Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2025-26(PDF, 104KB)

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