AS Queensland prepares for another potentially dangerous bushfire season, local fire authorities have urged residents across Ipswich and the Scenic Rim to take proactive steps around their homes and properties now.
The renewed warning comes as the Queensland Fire Department launches its Volunteerism Strategy 2026-2030, aimed at strengthening and supporting the State’s 27,000 volunteers who form the backbone of emergency response across regional Queensland.
While many residents associate bushfire season with the hotter months, RFSQ Scenic Rim Area Manager Corey Bock said conditions could vary significantly year to year depending on rainfall and climate conditions.
“Just before the recent rain, we were actually already in a high fire season period, which is unusually dry for this time of year,” Mr Bock said.
“Traditionally our fire season ramps up around August and continues through September and October before summer storms start easing conditions.”
Locally, the fire service supports an enormous volunteer network across the rapidly growing Ipswich corridor and neighbouring regions.
“Across Logan, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Somerset and Lockyer we’ve got roughly about three-and-a-half thousand volunteers,” Mr Bock said.
With ongoing population growth pushing further into bushland areas, authorities said prevention and preparation were becoming more important than ever.
Mr Bock said one of the biggest risks was from poor property maintenance during dry conditions.
“A few weeks ago landowners were trying to slash paddocks and it was that dry that as soon as the slasher hit a rock it would start fires,” he said.
Mr Bock said residents on acreage properties were being encouraged to create firebreaks and divide larger properties into manageable sections.
For residents living near bushland areas such as White Rock Conservation Area, Mr Bock said simple household practices could significantly reduce risk.
“One thing we really want people to stop doing is dumping lawn clippings or green waste over back fences into bushland,” he said.
“That actually builds up fuel loads that can burn and spread fire directly back onto fences and homes.
Emergency services are also encouraging residents to report smoke or fires immediately.
“The quicker we can get crews there, the less chance a fire has to build heat, energy and momentum,” he said.
