Gold Coast and Hinterland residents can expect to see some smoke in the next few weeks as the council, QFES and Rural Fire Brigades carry out multiple hazard reduction burns.  

The burns are being managed to help reduce the intensity and severity of bushfires to prepare for the coming fire season. 

On Wednesday and Thursday, Gold Coast Council crews will conduct burns at Miami Bushland Reserve. 

The council also plans to doorknock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness.

A burn will also be carried out by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services at Nerang Conservation Park on Thursday.

The state government has also warned that smoke may be seen in the Clagiraba Road area. 

“Smoke may impact residents and visitors to the area. 

“Residents in the nearby and surrounding areas should close windows and doors and if suffering from a respiratory condition, keep medications close by.

“Smoke can decrease visibility on the roads, so motorists are urged to drive with caution and to conditions.”

Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade, South Coast Area director Kaye Healing said a little smoke now was better than a lot of smoke in the forthcoming fire season. 

“There’s going to be some smoke in the area and while that does inconvenience some people, a small amount of smoke now is better than a lot of smoke later,” she said. 

“People don’t like smoke in the atmosphere, but the smoke [from the burns] is quite limited compared to a decent bushfire.

“If people can just close their windows and be wary of the smoke to allow us to get those burns done it’s going to save a lot of smoke later on.” 

Ms Healing said the multiple burns the rural brigade would carry out in the coming months were essential to reducing the devastating impacts of a full fire season.  

“With the rain that we had over the last summer season the hazard load is high in some areas on the Gold Coast and Hinterland,” she said. 

“What we’d rather do is be proactive rather than reactive and we’ve identified a few areas strategically that we can reduce the hazards so when the fire seasons come we have some control mechanisms over it.

“We have all the planning in place ready to go.” 

Ms Healing said a lot of landowners were eager to have parts of their properties included in the burns in order to keep them maintained. 

“For a lot of landowners in the areas we’re burning, parts of backyards are part of the burn 

“So they’re actually very keen on getting those burns done because it’s really hard for them to maintain that area. 

“They don’t want a fire coming down from the low country up onto the escarpments where they live.” 

Ms Healing said for all residents across South East Queensland, now was the time to pitch in on fire prevention. 

“We want all land owners regardless of where they live to clean up around their properties,” she said. 

“Given that we’ve had some good rainfall and the grass is quite tall, if everyone does a little bit now, it will make it so much easier later in the season when the fires start. 

“We usually see the fire season kick off in August, so when you look at the number of weekends between then and now, it’s not too many.

“So it’s time to get out, have a look around and get rid of the leaves, get rid of your long grass and protect yourself for the summer.”