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

The local fire ban will be in place from 1601hrs on Friday 31 October for residents in the Burdekin Shire, Northern Peninsula Area, Torres Shire and Torres Strait Island 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 Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.

Exemptions are in place for cane burning in line with the Notification for Sugar Cane Burning or where a Permit to Light Fire has been issued. 

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 Tuesday 13 November.

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