Why there is smoke hanging over the Gympie region

Smoke continued to hang over the Gympie CBD as of Tuesday afternoon, prompting the QFES to rule out any active bushfires or structure fires in the region.

Smoke hangs over Gympie as Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services conduct controlled burns across the region on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Photo: Scott Kovacevic

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have confirmed a second controlled burn remains active in the Gympie region while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service conducts planned burns in the Great Sandy National Park.

Smoke continued to hang over the Gympie CBD as of Tuesday afternoon (July 27), prompting the QFES to rule out any active bushfires or structure fires in the region.

READ MORE: Roads to close during planned burns on Cooloola Coast this week

A QFES spokeswoman said a hazard reduction burn at Gunalda, active since Sunday afternoon, remained active as of Tuesday afternoon.

The QPWS announced this week it would be carrying out a planned burn operation within the Great Sandy National Park near Cooloola Cove between Tuesday, July 27 and Friday, July 30, weather permitting.

The operation forms part of the annual hazard reduction and conservation management program for parks and forests “to help protect life and property in the event of a wildfire”.

“Smoke may be seen in the vicinity of Cooloola Cove, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach areas. Persons with respiratory or other health problems should seek medical advice on mitigating the effects of smoke inhalation,” the QPWS alert said.

Read more on the QPWS operation here.