QFES issues fire ban for Townsville, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers council areas

A fire ban has been issued for parts of North Queensland as crews battle a large blaze on the outskirts of Townsville.

• Townsville fire fighters on guard as winds antagonise bushfires
• Proposed doggie day care hounded by neighbours

A FIRE ban has been issued for parts of North Queensland as crews battle a large blaze on the outskirts of Townsville.

From midnight on Monday, Queensland Rural Fire Service issued a fire ban in the local government areas of Burdekin, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Townsville and Whitsundays.

Fire conditions and weather forecasts spurred on the ban, which will run until Monday November 30.

All current permits to light fire issues for the local fire ban are cancelled.

A fire ban has been issued on a large portion of North Queensland.

THE FOLLOWING EXEMPTIONS APPLY:

Fires lit for the purpose of cooking, that are:

a) within a properly constructed receptacle such as a barbecue, gas or wood fired and

pizza oven, and

b) where the fire cannot escape or cause embers to drift, and

c) there must be a fire extinguishing device available (e.g. garden hose or fire

extinguisher)

Fires lit for the purpose of providing warmth that are:

a) lit within a properly constructed receptacle, such as fire pits and braziers, and

b) that are used in suburban back yard, and

c) no larger than 1m x 1m x 0.5m, and

d) there is a fire extinguishing device available (e.g. garden hose or fire extinguisher),

and

e) the area is cleared of vegetation and embers cannot drift from the fire, and

f) provided they are not left unattended

are permitted between 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs. (6pm to 6am). This exemption does not

include bon fires.

Originally published as QFES issues fire ban for Townsville, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers council areas