Queensland Fire Department has updated a local fire ban for some Northern Region residents to include additional exemptions. 

The local fire ban for residents in the Burdekin, Torres, Torres Strait Island, and Northern Peninsula Local Government Areas now includes the following exemptions;

• Burning can be undertaken in line with the Notification for Sugar Cane Burning
• Burning of cane can be undertaken where a permit to light fire has been issued.

There has been no change to the original fire ban period, which covers 0001hrs Saturday 18 October until 2359 Monday 31 October

Earlier…

Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has imposed a local fire ban for some Northern Region residents.

The local fire ban will be in place from 0001hrs on Saturday 18 October for residents in the Burdekin, Torres, Torres Strait Island and Northern Peninsula Local Government Areas.

Current fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.

Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.

Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFD 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. 

The ban is expected to remain in place until 2359hrs on Friday 31 October.

Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the QFD website fire.qld.gov.au/firebans.