Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has extended a local fire ban for parts of South East region.
The local fire ban will remain in place until 2359hrs on Friday 13 December 2019 for residents in the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley local government areas.
Heightened 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 cancelled.
Fires lit for the purpose of cooking are permitted under a local fire ban provided they are not left unattended, are within a properly constructed barbeque, smoker or oven and managed appropriately.
Fires lit for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice in the industry are also permitted, between the hours of 6pm and 5am and with a permit to burn, issued by a local fire warden.
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.
Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the RFS website, www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
