The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Townsville City Council and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will conduct a planned burn today, Monday 13 September 2010, in Picnic Bay.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Townsville City Council and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will conduct a planned burn tomorrow Monday 13 September 2010 in Picnic Bay.

As a result, smoke will be seen rising from the bushland behind the Recreation camp and near Wansfel Street east and is likely to affect the road over the Nelly to Picnic Bay hill.

Traffic control will be in place if necessary and motorists are asked to drive with care through this area.

The fire will take place around the middle of the day.

The purpose of this planned burn is reduce the fuel load, mostly guinea grass, in this area.

The grass still contains a considerable amount of moisture so a lower intensity burn is expected.

Burning the fuel now will mitigate the risk of wildfire during the summer that would produce a more intense and hotter fire, hence threatening surrounding properties, flora and fauna.

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