The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) are preparing to conduct a planned burn on the western side of Magnetic Island commencing tomorrow Tuesday 14th September 2010.

As a result smoke will be seen on the western side Mt Cook in the hills above Bolger Bay and Five Beach Bay.

Extensive lead up work has been undertaken earlier this fire season to prepare for this larger planned burn. Rangers worked on foot to create strategic areas of burnt country in the hills with the aim to contain the fire to the western side of the island.

This map shows the different vegetation types, planned burns to date and the proposed burn areas. The aim of the upcoming fire is to create a mosaic of burnt and unburnt country throughout the burn areas. Strategic burnt areas around Duck and Endeavour creeks aim to contain the fire to the western side of the island.

The fire will be ignited using a helicopter and is expected burn at a low to moderate intensity, travelling slowly for several days amongst the rocky landscape in the hills.

The fire will target the grasslands and eucalypt, acacia and grasstree woodlands predominant in this area.

Eucalypts, acacias and grasstrees grow amongst the
rocky outcrops along ridges in the highlands.

Fire management maintains open Eucalypt woodland
vegetation types and diversity across the island

The island boasts a rich and varied assemblage of vegetation types and a purpose of planned burning is to promote this diversity into the future.

The last fire in this section of Magnetic Island National Park was 8 years ago. The planned burn also aims to reduce the fuel load that has accumulated since the last burn hence lowering the intensity of any subsequent wildfires.

The fire will be monitored by QPWS staff and actions will be taken to back burn near residential areas on the western side of the island if necessary.

For more information, please call Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on Magnetic Island on 4778 5378.

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