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ISBN 0-7242-9372-8

Fire Management System. Volume 1: Planning and Reporting

Principal editors: R. Melzer & J. Clarke

Published by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government.

© Queensland Government, 2003This document is copyright. The material can be copied provided that any extracts are fully acknowledged.

Cover design: Adrienne Wall (Graphic Artist)Educational Media SectionCentral Queensland University

Printed by: Publishing Unit, Central Queensland University

Enquiries to:Queensland Parks and Wildlife ServiceP.O. Box 155Brisbane Albert St, QLD 4002Telephone: (07) 3227 8185

Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service - Fire Management System (2003)Volume 1: Planning and Reporting

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Background and AcknowledgmentsThis document details the standard Fire Management System that has been adopted statewide by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). The System provides processes, guidelines and templates to facilitate the planning and implementation of fire management on QPWS estate in Queensland in a professional, ecologically sound, accountable and coordinated manner.

At the then Department of Environment (DoE) Fire Management Workshop, held in Rockhampton in February 1998, a recommendation was made that a standardised procedure and format for fire management planning and reporting should be developed and adopted statewide. There was agreement that the Fire Planning and Reporting System that had been developed by the then Central Coast Region (Clarke 1998) and implemented in that Region since November 1995, should be used as the starting point for developing a statewide system. The Central Coast Region’s System had itself drawn on the earlier work of Clarkson and Batt (1994).

Support from the Board of Management of the DoE, and subsequently from the Directors of QPWS enabled the project to proceed. A Review Team representing regional and district field staff, professional and technical officers, managers and Central Office, accepted the responsibility for bringing the project to fruition. All staff, in particular field staff, were encouraged and given opportunity to contribute to the development of the System. The System owes its existence to the many staff in QPWS (and previously DoE) who provided comment, trialed earlier versions, drafted documents, proofread and discussed ideas, and managers who allowed staff the time and resources to participate. Special thanks to Mr Peter Henderson (Principal Policy Officer, Native Title) for his advice on sections pertaining to consultation, notification and approval processes.

Edition 1 of the Fire Management System was published in 2000. Soon after QPWS was given responsibility for managing State Forests and similar tenures with a sustainable production focus. This necessitated changes to the System to accommodate forest management requirements. Forest Management Staff joined the Review Team and edition 2 of the System was subsequently published.

Review Team Members & Editorial Team

Central Office Representatives:Tony Baker (Acting Senior Project Officer, Forestry and Wildlife) (ed. 2)Raymond Blinkhorn (Policy Officer, Custodial Management) (ed. 2)Richard Clarkson (Principal Conservation Officer, Park Management) (ed. 1 & 2)

Regional Representatives:Martin Ambrose (Forester, Southern Region) (ed. 2)Derek Ball (Senior Conservation Officer, Natural Resource Management) (ed. 1 & 2)John Clarke (Resource Ranger, Natural Resource Management) (ed. 1 & 2)Jim Cruise (Principal Technical Ranger, Coastal Management) (ed. 1 & 2)Wendy Drake (Coordinator Conservation Management, Southern Region) (ed. 2) Leasie Felderhof (Principal Conservation Officer, Natural Resource Management, Northern Region) (ed. 1 & 2)Dave Green (Ranger-in-Charge, Lumholtz National Park) (ed. 1 & 2)John Hodgon (Resource Ranger, SEQFA) (ed. 1 & 2)Robyn James (Acting Senior Conservation Officer, Park Planning) (ed. 1)Wayne Kington (Conservation Officer, Greater Brisbane District) (ed. 1 & 2)Michael Koch (Senior Forest Ranger, Central Region) (ed. 2)Kristy Lawrie (Ranger, Fire Management, Southern Region) (ed. 2)Peter Leeson (Senior Forester, Southern Region) (ed. 2)Lana Little (Senior Ranger, Dry Tropics) (ed. 1 & 2)Col Morgan (Ranger-in-Charge, Idalia National Park) (ed. 1)Matthew Newport (Senior Forest Ranger, Atherton) (ed. 2)Mark Parsons (Conservation Officer, Northern Region) (ed. 2)Brett Roberts (Senior Ranger, Toowoomba District) (ed. 1 & 2)Gregory Smyth (Forest Environmental Officer, Southern Region) (ed. 2)Anthony Thomas (Resource Ranger, Noosa National Park) (ed. 1 & 2)Paul Williams (Conservation Officer, Burdekin District) (ed. 1)


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Coordinator:Rhonda Melzer (Principal Conservation Officer, Natural Resource Management, Central Region) (ed. 1 & 2)


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ContentsBackground and Acknowledgments.......................................................................... iiList of Appendices................................................................................................v1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................12.0 Fire management planning............................................................................2

2.1 Terminology.............................................................................................42.2 Fire Strategy............................................................................................62.3 Planned Burn Programme........................................................................72.4 Fire Report...............................................................................................8

2.4.1Rapid Fire Advice.............................................................................82.4.2Fire Report.......................................................................................8

2.5 Wildfire Response Procedure....................................................................93.0 Consultation and notification........................................................................104.0 Approval process.........................................................................................11

4.1 Fire Referral Group................................................................................114.2 Fire Strategy..........................................................................................124.3 Planned Burn Programme......................................................................13

4.3.1Implementation of burns................................................................144.4 Wildfire Response Procedure..................................................................14

5.0 Summary of the Fire Management System and documentation....................15References........................................................................................................ 19Glossary............................................................................................................21

List of Figures

Figure 1 Documentation governing fire management on QPWS estate.........2Figure 2 The Fire Management System - components and linkages related

to planning and reporting...............................................................3Figure 3 ‘Wall chart summary’ of the documentation requirements and

timetable associated with the internal approval process..............17Figure 4 The relationship between the Fire Management System and other

QPWS operations and responsibilities...........................................18


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List of Appendices

1 The philosophy of burning - a discussion2 Fire Plan Summary Template and instructions for use

3 Fire Strategy Template and instructions for use3a Fire Strategy Template - hardcopy version3b Fire Referral Group Approval sheet for a Fire Strategy or Planned Burn Programme

4 Planned Burn Programme Forms and instructions for use4a Planned Burn Programme cover sheet4b Pre-burn Contact list 4c Interim Strategic Information sheet4d Burn Proposal form

5 Fire Report Forms and instructions for use5a Fire Report Form5b Fire Operational Log

6 Wildfire Response Procedure Template and instructions for use7 Community Bushfire Protection Plan8 Sample Notification9 Example proformae: a fire management protocol to guide traditional owner

consultation and involvement


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Fire Management System1.0 Introduction

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is one of the main agencies actively involved in fire management, including suppression, in Queensland. QPWS has a number of legal as well as ethical responsibilities relating to the control of fire on and near QPWS estate. Fire is one of the major management tools used by conservation and forest managers throughout Australia for the protection of life and property, to fulfil the ecological requirements of the flora, fauna and other natural assets, to maintain and promote sustainable production values and to maintain cultural resources and practices.

Australian ecosystems have been evolving with fire for thousands of years. Many flora and fauna species and communities are dependent on the presence of fire, whilst some require fire exclusion. The optimal timing, frequency and intensity of fire vary from ecosystem to ecosystem. In the modern Australian context, many natural areas cannot be expected to retain their biological diversity without active fire management. Manipulation of fire regimes to meet conservation and sustainable production objectives is a major challenge for managers of conservation and forest reserves.

Considerable public resources are expended each year for fire management on QPWS estate in Queensland. Accordingly, it is essential that this management be carried out in a considered, coordinated and accountable way.

This document details the fire management system that has been adopted statewide by QPWS. The system applies to all fire management for which QPWS is the responsible agency. Wildfire suppression activities, hazard reduction burning, ecological burning and burning for weed control will all be subject to the requirements of this system if the operation is conducted under the control of a QPWS staff member (regardless of land tenure). The system also applies to State Forests and Timber Reserves where management is focused on timber production, irrespective of whether a burning operation is conducted under the control of a QPWS staff member.


2.0 Fire management planning

The Fire Management System includes two basic parts - a system for planning and reporting, and operational guidelines. The former is provided in Volume 1 (this folder) and the latter in Volume 2 (in prep.). The Fire Management System is itself a major component of the suite of documentation that governs fire management on QPWS estate (refer Figure 1). Other components include the QPWS Fire Management Policy, Environmental Management Principles and the Incident Control System.

Figure 2 illustrates the principal components of Volume 1 of the Fire Management System and their linkages. These are explained in detail in this document.


Fire Management Policy

Fire Management System

Volume 1Planning and

reporting

Volume 2Operational Guidelines

Fire Plan:

Fire Plan SummaryFire StrategyPlanned Burn ProgrammeWildfire Response Procedure

Rapid Fire Advice

Fire Report

Examples include:

Fire behaviour/weatherPreparednessRisk managementSmoke managementBriefingsWildfire investigation proceduresEquipmentPersonal protective equipmentTraining

Environmental management

principles, auditing & reporting

guidelines for forest production

Incident Control System

(ICS)

Figure 1 Documentation governing fire management on QPWS estate.

Fire Plan

Fire Strategy Wildfire Response Procedure

Planned Burn Programme

Planned burn Wildfire response

Fire Report

Rapid Fire AdviceFinal Report

Fire History

Figure 2 The Fire Management System - components and linkages related to planning and reporting.

2.1 Terminology

The following terminology is to be used:

Fire Plan This is not a separate document as such but is primarily the title used when all components are complete. The Fire Plan consists of the Fire Strategy, the current Planned Burn Programme and the Wildfire Response Procedure. Fire Plans, particularly larger ones, should also have a Fire Plan Summary. All of the QPWS estate with vegetation other than fire sensitive communities, or where fire sensitive communities may be threatened by fire from surrounding areas, should have a Fire Plan.

Fire Plan Summary As its name suggests this is a summary of the Fire Plan and includes a table of contents, executive summary, additional instructions or other documentation if required. The Fire Plan Summary can be a valuable ‘extension’ document. A Fire Plan Summary Template is provided in Appendix 2. It is also available digitally as a Word Document Template.

Fire Strategy The Fire Strategy is the major component of the Fire Plan and is intended to provide the overall framework and direction for fire management in a reserve. The Fire Strategy details the values of the reserve, the long-term fire management aims and how these relate to on-ground fire management. Detailed maps (e.g. natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, fire management zones) are an integral part of this document. The Fire Strategy will be reviewed as often as is required to incorporate new information (e.g. from monitoring projects). Refer to Section 2.2 for further details. A hardcopy version of the Fire Strategy template is provided in Appendix 3. It is also available digitally as a Word Document Template.


The Planned Burn Programme details the burns planned to be undertaken within a given period to fulfil the requirements of the Fire Strategy. Specific details of how, when, where and why the burns are to be conducted are included. An assessment of the risks associated with each burn is also required. The Programme may apply to whatever period is most practicable but a multi-year programme is preferred. Refer to Section 2.3 for further details. Hardcopies of the forms are provided in Appendix 4. They are all available digitally and the Burn Proposal Forms can be completed electronically on ParkInfo.

Fire Report Fire Reports are a critical component of the System and the information contained therein feeds back into

the Fire Strategy and Planned Burn Programme. There is one report form for Planned Burns and Wildfires. Refer to Section 2.4 for further details. Hardcopy versions of the forms are available in Appendix 5. They are all available digitally and the Fire Report Form can be completed electronically on ParkInfo.

Wildfire Response Procedure

The Wildfire Response Procedure contains the information required for an effective response to a wildfire. It includes procedures to be followed upon detection/ notification of a wildfire, command structures, safety and fire fighting equipment, contact lists and reserve details. The Procedure must be reviewed before the wildfire season each year to ensure all information is up to date. Small reserves in the same management unit may be treated as a group if this is practical but larger reserves should each have a separate Wildfire Response Procedure.Refer to Section 2.5 for further details. A hardcopy version of the Wildfire Response Procedure template is provided in Appendix 6. It is also available as a Word Document Template.

Community Bushfire Protection Plan

This document details an agreed, co-operative approach by a local community to the resolution of fire management issues in a defined area. The commitment of each co-operating landholder to the goals of the agreed approach is included. In cases where there is QPWS estate within the precinct of the Community Bushfire Protection Plan, the latter would include links to the Fire Plan and vice versa. The content of Community Bushfire Protection Plans will vary according to situation. The planning approach is fundamentally the same as that required for a Fire Strategy although the focus of the community may be on hazard management rather than ecological management. Where QPWS staff are involved, however, an opportunity exists to increase the level of understanding of ecological management issues. Refer to Appendix 7 for further detail.

2.2 Fire StrategyThe Fire Strategy provides the overall framework and direction for fire management in a reserve and is therefore the foundation from which the Planned Burn Programme is developed. The question ‘what are we managing for’ can be a vexed one and must be addressed in the Strategy - Appendix 1 provides a helpful discussion.The Strategy must address the following issues using the best available knowledge:

1. Values of the reserve and adjoining land.2. Long-term overall management aim/s for the reserve (e.g. “manage to

enhance habitat for bridled nailtail wallaby;” “maintain health, diversity and extent of natural grasslands;” “protect aboriginal cultural sites, in particular rock art;” “maintain timber resources”).

3. Long-term fire management aims for the reserve (e.g. “encourage expansion of rainforest communities;” “maintain wet sclerophyll forest and associated timber resources;” “maximise habitat condition for golden-shouldered parrot;” “promote the development of a complex midstratum in the eucalypt woodlands to restore arboreal mammal diversity”).

4. Best available details of vegetation communities and/or habitat types. As a minimum requirement broad vegetation types should be delineated on a map.

5. Significant (including threatened) flora and fauna and/or indicator species or communities.

6. Fire management objectives and requirements for the flora, fauna, cultural resources, production resources, reserve infrastructure and resources on adjoining lands.

7. Evaluation of risks to the stated natural and cultural resources, and other values of the reserve and neighbouring lands including the ‘no-burn’ option.

8. Description of intended fire regimes, acceptable ranges of variation in burning prescriptions for each vegetation community and/or habitat type. This information will often be a “best estimate” that will need refining over time.

9. Detailed map/s showing infrastructure (including recreational and management), access tracks, topography (if possible), reserve boundary, neighbouring landholders and any other information that is relevant. Features should be named to facilitate effective communication between staff.

10.Evaluation of current access track system and details of any additions or closures required.

11.Description and map of Fire Management Zones (Protection, Wildfire Mitigation, Conservation, Sustainable Production, Rehabilitation, Reference, Exclusion) and Fire Management Areas (if appropriate). Refer to Appendix 4 of the Fire Strategy Template in Appendix 3 of this document for further details.

12.Details of any inappropriate suppression techniques for each Fire Management Zone.

13.Details of any past, current and/or future fire research and monitoring projects.

A hardcopy version of the Fire Strategy template is provided in Appendix 3 and is available digitally. This template provides detailed instructions and examples, in text boxes, to assist in the production of a Fire Strategy. A Word Document Template is also available. The latter has the same detailed instructions and examples as the hardcopy version but they are in the form of embedded ‘pop-up’ comments that are not part of the body of the text.

It is recognised that not all of the sections and details given in the template will be relevant to every reserve. A Fire Strategy should only be as complex as the fire management on the reserve in question. The contents of sections can therefore be deleted, expanded or modified to suit the needs of the reserve. Do not however, delete a whole section, figure, table, appendix or map. Rather, leave the title in place and provide a brief explanation as to why it is not relevant to the particular reserve. Under no circumstance should the number representing the current sections, figures, tables, appendices or maps be changed. Additional subsections can however be added, as can figures and appendices. The latter must be added to the end of the current appendices. Further instructions for using the templates are provided in Appendix 3.

If no fire management is required on a reserve, a statement and explanation to that effect should be included in the Management Plan or similar document.

2.3 Planned Burn Programme

The Planned Burn Programme consists of :

a cover sheet reserve map showing all proposed burns covered by the Programme pre-burn contact list Interim Strategic Information Sheet (only included if there is no approved Fire

Strategy) Burn Proposals (including maps suitable for digitising)

A Programme may include one to many planned burns to be undertaken over a period of one to three or more years. Planning for periods longer than one year is strongly encouraged as it facilitates the development of a longer term perspective with respect to fire management.

In the case of hazard reduction burns that are conducted ‘regularly’ in a particular area, and require the same general conditions for each burn, it is permissible (if submitting a hardcopy for approval), to submit one burn proposal that covers the burns for the period specified by the Planned Burn Programme. Each burn must however have a unique number and these should be clearly written on the front of the Burn Proposal Form. There is no capacity to deal with this situation in ParkInfo 1.0.

Where burns are being conducted on QPWS estate by non-departmental personnel (e.g. lessees on grazing leases) it is the responsibility of local QPWS staff to facilitate the development and submission of the Burn Proposals.

Because the Fire Strategy provides the framework and direction for fire management on a reserve it is desirable that the former is developed prior to a Planned Burn Programme. It will not however, always be possible to achieve this and it is critical that Planned Burn Programmes continue regardless of whether a Fire Strategy is in place or not. If there is no approved Fire Strategy some additional information must be provided in the Programme with respect to the fire management objectives for the reserve and appropriate fire regimes for vegetation communities and/or habitats. This additional information is provided on the Interim Strategic Information Sheet.

Hardcopy templates for the Planned Burn Programme Cover Sheet, Pre-burn Contact List, Interim Strategic Information Sheet and Burn Proposal Form are provided in Appendices 4 (a-d). The templates are also available digitally. Staff with access to ParkInfo must complete Burn Proposal Forms on ParkInfo. Detailed instructions for completing the Planned Burn Programme forms are printed on the back of the hardcopies and links to instructions for completing the electronic templates are provided at various points throughout the template. It is critical that the instructions are read carefully to maximise the quality of the information recorded on the forms.

Green is the standard paper colour for all proformae in the Planned Burn Programme. A hardcopy of the Planned Burn Programme must be placed on file.

2.4 Fire Report

2.4.1Rapid Fire Advice

QPWS divisional management, EPA executive management, the Minister and Parliament all have a requirement for prompt and current information on aspects of QPWS’s fire management. This is particularly important with respect to all wildfires and planned burning activities on QPWS managed lands.

A ‘rapid fire advice’ proforma for collating this information has been developed to meet these information requirements. District wildfire and planned burn information is to be regularly updated and forwarded to central office in accordance with the Procedural Guideline for reporting of QPWS fire management information. This guideline is available on Ecosteps. While the ‘rapid fire advice’ is not a comprehensive fire report it does contain some common fields with the Fire Report (refer 2.4.2). This information can be used to populate the Fire Report, following cessation of all activities relating to the planned burn or wildfire.

2.4.2Fire Report

A Fire Report consists of at least the following: Fire Report form - the same form is used for both planned burns and wildfires Fire Operational Log Map of fire

Other attachments may include: Weather forecast and rainfall records Initial Situation Report Wildfire Investigation Preliminary Report

It is intended that at least one Fire Operational Log be filled out for every fire. In the case of a small planned burn it is likely to be filled out by the Incident Controller. For large wildfires the Incident Controller may appoint someone to keep the Log. In these cases, each crew would be encouraged to keep some form of records (e.g. in notebooks) that can later be transcribed to the Log.

It is the responsibility of local QPWS staff to facilitate the development and submission of Fire Reports for burns conducted on QPWS estate by non-departmental personnel (e.g. lessees on grazing leases).

Hardcopy templates of the Fire Report and Fire Operational Log forms are provided in Appendices 5 (a & b). They are also available electronically. Staff with access to ParkInfo must complete the Fire Report Form on ParkInfo. Detailed instructions for completing the Fire Report Form are printed on the back of the hardcopy. Links to instructions for completing the electronic templates are provided at various points throughout the templates. It is critical that these instructions are read carefully to maximise the quality of the information recorded on the forms.

Yellow is the standard paper colour for the Fire Report. It is however, acceptable for the other components to be printed on white paper. A hardcopy of the Fire Report must be placed on file.A Fire Report must be submitted by the Incident Controller (or Ranger in Charge), to the District Manager through the Senior Ranger, within one month of the last patrol for a planned burn or wildfire.

2.5 Wildfire Response Procedure

A Wildfire Response Procedure is a set of logistical and procedural guidelines and information designed to assist staff involved in the suppression of wildfires. It is not a fire fighting manual. Wildfire Response Procedures should include all the information necessary to ensure quick and effective mobilisation of resources in the event of a wildfire. The objectives of a Wildfire Response Procedure are to: describe action that must be taken by QPWS staff immediately on becoming

aware of a wildfire ensure the Incident Control Officer has the information necessary to plan and

implement wildfire control measures ensure QPWS staff are aware of their fire fighting roles and responsibilities identify the staff and equipment available for fire fighting in QPWS and other

agencies define procedures for deployment of staff and equipment identify essential wildfire suppression safety requirements consider the objectives and guidelines provided in the Fire Strategy and

current Planned Burn programme.

The Wildfire Response Procedure consists of three sections: the body of the document appendices mapsThe hardcopy template for the Wildfire Response Procedure is given in Appendix 6. It is also available as a Word Document Template. Instructions for using the latter are provided in Appendix 6.

The body of the document provides background information with which staff must be familiar but which does not need to be kept in vehicles or taken out to a wildfire. The information that must be readily available in a wildfire situation and that must be kept in all QPWS field-based vehicles is provided in the appendices and maps.

The appendices include: emergency contact details; procedural guidelines; equipment lists and; contact details for QPWS staff, rural and urban brigades, neighbours and the media.

The locality map, Fire Action Map/s and Suppression Priority Map/s are critical components of the Wildfire Response Procedure. Information provided on a Fire Action Map includes details of infrastructure, access tracks and other control lines, locked gates, water points, neighbours, assembly points, significant sites, Reference Zones and Exclusion Zones.

The Suppression Priority Map for ecological/ sustainable production purposes indicates: which parts of a reserve can be allowed to burn in a wildfire (provided life and property are safe) to meet planned burn objectives; which areas it would be preferable to prevent from burning and; areas where it is critical to exclude fire if at all possible. The Suppression Priority Map is a means of linking the Wildfire Response Procedure to the objectives outlined in the Fire Strategy and Planned Burn Programme.

For further details refer to Section 5.0 of the Wildfire Response Procedure template (Appendix 6 this document).

The information provided in a Wildfire Response Procedure, including on the maps, must be reviewed and, if necessary, updated each year prior to the ‘wildfire season’.

3.0 Consultation and notification

Fire managers are encouraged to liaise with resource management staff, managers and other relevant personnel while formulating their fire strategies, planned burn programmes and wildfire response procedures. Native title holders, native title claimant groups, native title representative bodies and other known interested parties (e.g. neighbours) should be invited to participate in the development of these documents.

For State Forests and Timber Reserves under the Forestry Act 1959 and Protected Areas (State Land) and Forest Reserves under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 which were gazetted prior to 23 December 1996, the development of a fire strategy requires a formal native title notification process involving the native title representative body and all registered native title claimant groups for the area affected. This notification is required once a draft has been prepared. A sample notification is provided in Appendix 8. While there should have been sufficient consultation with native title parties prior to the preparation of the final draft, any subsequent comments received through the notification process must be considered prior to finalisation of the fire strategy. Provided these procedures are followed, the fire strategy will remain valid in the event of a subsequent determination of native title rights over the area.

For State Forests and Timber Reserves under the Forestry Act 1959 and Protected Areas (State Land) and Forest Reserves under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 which were gazetted after 23 December 1996, a fire strategy can be developed without formal native title notification. It will however, become invalid if native title rights, which intersect with the strategy, are subsequently granted, unless an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) confirms its validity. Since it is neither prudent nor practical to attempt to negotiate an ILUA over an area solely directed at fire management, the approach on these areas should be to continue to develop fire strategies in consultation with native title parties. This consultative approach should minimise the risk of a strategy being in conflict with the aspirations of native title holders. Eventually, any such fire strategy will still need to be formally validated through an ILUA, in the event of native title rights being determined which intersect with the strategy’s provisions. The Agency’s strategic approach to ILUAs is that they be developed as holistic documents for each area so that they are available for execution at the time of any formal determination of native title rights. Fire management would be a part of such holistic ILUAs.

An option that should be considered in implementing a consultative process with Traditional Owners is the development of a specific management protocol that sets out fire management principles, and the actions and processes that will be used to manage fire on the subject area. Such a protocol would enable Indigenous views on their rights and interests, specific to fire management, to be clearly defined and considered at the planning stage. The protocol could also identify the extent to which Traditional Owners may be directly involved and the

operational procedures that will be used. A proforma protocol is provided, as a guide, in Appendix 9. It should be freely amended as required with the objective of negotiating a version acceptable to QPWS and Traditional Owners.

Notwithstanding all of the above, it should be recognised that there is always the potential that a consultative process, as outlined above, may escalate into mediation and dispute resolution where, for instance, statutory management principles for a reserve conflict with Tradition Owner aspirations. In such cases, more formal mechanisms will need to be invoked that are tailored to the particular circumstances and possibly synchronised with the native title determination process. Because of the potential complexity, no general guideline can be usefully provided for such cases in this manual.

4.0 Approval process

The approval process is designed to encourage a practical, consultative and streamlined approach to fire management and to provide Rangers-in-Charge with the flexibility to make decisions with respect to timing and Programme implementation. It does have an important auditing function but its primary aim is to encourage responsible and well thought out fire management.

NOTE: Sections 4.1 to 4.3 outline the approval and implementation processes for:

Fire Strategies and Planned Burn Programmes developed for QPWS estate for which native title no longer exists

Negotiated interim ‘working’ fire strategies developed for QPWS estate for which native title continues to exist and for which an Indigenous Land Use Agreement must be registered for a Fire Strategy to be legally valid (refer Section 3.0)

Planned Burn Programmes developed for QPWS estate where native title continues to exist but an Indigenous Land Use Agreement has not been registered.

The approval, implementation and ongoing review processes for a Fire Strategy negotiated as part of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement and for associated Planned Burn Programmes will be determined as part of the Agreement (refer Section 3.0).

4.1 Fire Referral Group

The key approval body for fire management in a region is the Fire Referral Group. The Referral Group must approve Fire Strategies (refer Section 4.2) and Planned Burn Programmes (refer Section 4.3). They may also undertake to assess Suppression Priority Maps from Wildfire Response Procedures when the associated Planned Burn Programmes or Fire Strategies are being approved, or if requested to do so by, for example, the Senior Ranger or Ranger-in-Charge. From time to time the Fire Referral Group may convene a debrief.

The Fire Referral Group is composed of: Chairperson & convenor (Regional Natural Resource Management

Coordinator or delegate) Ranger-in-Charge (RIC), Principal author of Strategy or Programme (if not the RIC), District Manager or delegate (usually the Senior Ranger) Senior Ranger or “in-line” manager of RIC, Natural resource management delegate/s (including a district NRM officer

if there is one) Cultural Heritage staff delegate, and Other personnel as required (see below).

The Group must include a member/s with practical expertise in fire management and fire behaviour. Additional persons, such as forest managers, researchers and specialists (from within or outside QPWS), and a representative/s from parties to formal agreements may also participate as part of a Fire Referral Group. Delegates from native title claimant groups should be invited to be members of the Fire Referral Group for interim ‘working’ fire strategies and Planned burn programmes on lands for which they have a claim. The composition of the Group will vary depending on the reserve involved but it should be determined prior to, or at the commencement of the development of the Fire Strategy. This will facilitate consultation during the development of the document.

Each Region should determine the date/s on which the Fire Referral Group will meet each year and the date/s for submission of final drafts of Fire Strategies and Planned Burn Programmes. The latter date/s should be set so as to provide sufficient time for the Referral Group members to read the final draft/s prior to the meeting. Whilst the Fire Referral Group does not approve Wildfire Response Procedures, the submission date for the latter should be the same as that for Fire Strategies and Planned Burn Programmes.

It is the responsibility of the Chairperson of the Referral Group, in consultation with District Managers, to ensure these dates are set and that all relevant staff are informed. It is preferable that the date for submission of these documents does not change from year to year and that the date/month by which all approvals are finalised also remains fixed from year to year. Having fixed dates will assist in the System becoming ‘part of normal routine’ and will enable forward planning by members of the Referral Group – in particular Rangers-in-Charge responsible for implementing Planned Burn Programmes.

4.2 Fire Strategy A final draft of the Fire Strategy is presented for approval, by the Ranger-in-Charge and/or principal author, at a meeting of the Fire Referral Group. To facilitate the evaluation of the Strategy and hence the approval process, all members of the Referral Group must read the final draft, or sections relevant to their expertise, in preparation for the meeting. The Strategy will be evaluated in terms of:

the regional and state-wide context the Management Principles applicable to the class of the reserve the impact on native title rights policy framework including the provision of clear and measurable long-

term objectives for fire management on the reserve the known natural, cultural and recreational resource values of the

reserve, and also, in the case of State Forests and Timber Reserves, the production values

natural resource management principles cultural resource management principles forest production and management principles in the case of State Forests

and Timber Reserves

evaluation of risk with respect to the protection of life and property and, natural, cultural and production resources

other legislative requirements (e.g. Fire & Rescue Authority Act,1990).

Approval options available to the Fire Referral Group are: Approved on the understanding that the Strategy is based on the best

available knowledge and will be reviewed as further information becomes available.

Approved subject to minor changes. Approved subject to the Strategy being revised in accordance with a list of

amendments. The revised Strategy must be submitted to a member of the Referral Group for final endorsement by an agreed date.

Not approved in the current form. Strategy must be re-drafted for submission to a future meeting of the Fire Referral Group.

The last of these options should never be required because by the time a Strategy is presented to a meeting of the Referral Group there should already have been considerable input from a range of staff, including Resource staff and Managers, as well as other delegates. A consensus should be reached at the meeting. All members of the Fire Referral Group are required to sign Strategies for approval to be granted. As noted in the first approval option listed above, it is expected that Strategies will be ‘living documents’ and will therefore be reviewed as further information becomes available. It is however, the responsibility of the Referral Group to determine when the document should be formally reviewed and reassessed by the Fire Referral Group. A formal Review Date will be agreed to in the meeting and will be recorded on the Approval Sheet and the front cover of the Fire Strategy.The Approval Sheet for Fire Strategies is presented in Appendix 3b.Note: If a Fire Plan Summary has been completed in conjunction with a Fire Strategy,

both documents should be presented to the Fire Referral Group for approval. If a Fire Plan Summary is developed subsequent to the approval of a Fire Strategy, it can be approved by the District Manager (or their delegate).

4.3 Planned Burn Programme

Planned Burn Programmes must be submitted to the Fire Referral Group for approval. Approval options available to the Fire Referral Group are the same as for a Fire Strategy (refer Section 4.2). The Approval Sheet for Planned Burn Programmes is presented in Appendix 3b.

The Fire Referral Group for Programmes will be internal only unless an Indigenous Land Use Agreement covers the area or a native title claim has been approved. This does not however, preclude consultation with other interested parties (refer to Section 3.0).

The criteria used by the Fire Referral Group when evaluating the Programme will include:

consistency with the Fire Strategy or, in the absence of the latter, with details provided on the Interim Strategic Information Sheet (refer Section 2.3 and Appendix 4c)

whether the objective/s of the proposal are clearly identified suitability of tactics to be used size of proposed burn in relation to the total area of each vegetation

and/or habitat type involved the preferred fire regimes (based on the best available knowledge) adequacy of pre-burn preparation adequacy of staff resources to cope with the fire in the event of an escape risk to personnel, neighbours, infrastructure, cultural resources and

ecological processes the results of relevant previous burns (based on evaluation of Fire Reports) adequacy of monitoring programme/s

As noted in Section 2.3 it is acceptable, if submitting hardcopy Burn Proposal Forms, to include more than one ‘regular’ hazard reduction burn on a single Form. It is however, up to the Fire Referral Group to determine how many ‘repeats’ of a hazard reduction burn they are prepared to approve on a single Burn Proposal Form.

4.3.1 Implementation of burnsOnce the Planned Burn Programme is approved, burning can be implemented at the discretion of districts. Senior Rangers are responsible for ensuring burns are conducted in accordance with the approved Planned Burn Programme. It is the responsibility of the officer in charge of the burn to obtain verbal approval from the Senior Ranger (or equivalent) to proceed with a burn, to advise appropriate people on the Pre-burn Contact List and to obtain a Permit to Burn (if required).

This system allows management units sufficient flexibility to respond rapidly when suitable weather conditions occur. As indicated in Section 2.3, multiple-year Planned Burn Programmes will be encouraged because they give management units the flexibility to re-schedule burns if weather or other conditions are inappropriate during the period for which they were originally planned. Once a multiple-year Programme is approved, it is not necessary to submit a new proposal for a burn which is simply being rescheduled, providing the conditions in the original Burn Proposal have not markedly changed.

The aim should be to learn from each burn. To this end, peer review of Planned Burn Programmes and associated Fire Reports is strongly encouraged. The first District meeting at the end of the ‘fire season’ would be an ideal forum. From time to time the Fire Referral Group may convene a debrief.

4.4 Wildfire Response Procedure

The Senior Ranger is responsible for ensuring that each reserve (or group of small reserves in the same management unit) has a Wildfire Response Procedure. The Ranger-in-Charge is responsible for ensuring that the information provided in the Wildfire Response Procedure is accurate.

Wildfire Response Procedures (all copies) must be kept up to date at all times (therefore copies of any significant changes made to the document must be provided to the Senior Ranger as soon after they are made as possible). There is however, a formal annual review of the document and associated maps. This review will be conducted during the same period that Fire Strategies and Planned Burn Programmes are reviewed and approved. The Ranger-in-Charge must therefore evaluate the document and ensure that any necessary changes are made and submit them to the Senior Ranger by the required date (refer Section 4.1). The Ranger-in-Charge can choose to submit either:

the whole document or a copy of the cover page and a list of amendments or a copy of the cover page and copies of the pages/maps that have been

amended.

The front cover page (including the copy sent to the Senior Ranger) for the Wildfire Response Procedure must have the ‘date of last review’ printed on it and be signed by the Ranger-in-Charge as a record that the document has been evaluated and updated (if required). The Senior Ranger may place the copy of the front cover sheet on file as an official record of the review if they do not have another means of keeping such records.

Note that the Fire Action and Suppression Priority Maps must also have the ‘date of last review’ printed on them. This date must be changed each time the maps are reviewed (therefore at least once a year) even if the maps are found to require no amendments.

5.0 Summary of the Fire Management System and documentation

Below is a summary of the main steps and documentation required for fire planning and reporting on reserves (refer Figure 2) from the point of view of the Ranger-in-Charge, Incident Controller and/or person/s compiling the documents. Figure 3 is a simple summary of the documentation requirements and timetable associated with the internal approval process and can be used as a wall chart or similar ‘memory jogger.’

The Fire Management System is an integral part of all other QPWS operations and responsibilities. Some of the linkages between the System and other QPWS activities are illustrated in Figure 4.

Fire Plan Fire Strategy + Planned Burn Programme + Wildfire Response Procedure

For large and/or complex Fire Plans it is desirable to produce a Fire Plan Summary. The latter is a useful ‘extension’ tool.

Fire Strategy 1. Determine native title status and appropriate approach to development of the Strategy.

2. Determine information sources and those who should be consulted during the drafting process (e.g. resource staff, external experts, native title holders, neighbours).

3. Undertake consultation and information gathering.

4. Formulate draft document using template and produce maps.

5. Seek feedback on draft/s and redraft as required.6. Undertake native title notification if required.7. Submit final draft to Fire Referral Group.


1. Undertake consultation/ seek advice as required.2. Complete a Burn Proposal for each burn,

collection of small burns or repetitious hazard reduction burns in a given area and attach maps.

3. Produce pre-burn contact list.4. Produce a reserve showing all proposed burns.5. Complete Interim Strategic Information Sheet

(not required if there is an approved Fire Strategy).

6. Collate 2 to 5 with a Planned Burn Programme cover sheet.

7. Submit to Fire Referral Group through the Senior Ranger.

Wildfire Response Procedure

1. Formulate document using template. 2. Produce locality map, Fire Action Map/s and

Suppression Priority Map/s.3. Keep all copies up to date.

4. Review prior to ‘fire season’ and submit whole Procedure, list of revisions, or copy of each revised page and/or map, together with new cover page to Senior Ranger annually.

Approved planned burn

Prior to burn:1. Contact the Senior Ranger for verbal approval2. Notify those people on the Pre-burn Contact List

who are relevant to the particular burn about to be conducted.

3. Obtain weather forecast and rainfall records for past month (if relevant)

4. Undertake assessment of fuel characteristics if required.

5. Pre-burn briefing.

During burn:5. Keep records on Fire Operational Log.

After burn:6. Debrief7. Submit Fire Report within one month of last patrol.

Wildfire During fire:1. Follow procedures as per Wildfire Response

Procedure, fire training programmes, Incident Control System and other relevant Departmental policies/ operational guidelines.

2. Undertake suppression operations with consideration to details provided on the Fire Action Map and Suppression Priority Map.

3. Keep records on Fire Operational Log.

After fire:4. Debrief5. Incident Controller to submit Fire Report within

one month of completion of last patrol.

Fire Plan = Fire Strategy + Planned Burn Programme + Wildfire Response Procedure #

Fire StrategyFire Strategy1. Submit final draft to the Fire Referral Group Convenor through the Senior

Ranger.2. Due date for submission to Senior Ranger = *March 1 each year. 3. Due date for submission, by Senior Ranger, to Fire Referral Group Convenor =

*March 10. 4. Approval process completed: Mackay District - April 30; Whitsunday - April 30; Capricorn - May 31; Longreach – May 31.Planned BurnPlanned Burn ProgrammeProgramme

Cover sheet Pre-burn Contact List Map of the whole reserve showing location of all proposed burns Burn Proposal & map for each burn (or collection of small burns or repetitious

hazard reduction burns) Interim Strategic Information Sheet (only required if there is no

approved Fire Strategy)

1. Submit all Programmes to the Fire Referral Group Convenor through the Senior Ranger.

2. Due date for submission to Senior Ranger = *March 1 each year. 3. Due date for submission, by Senior Ranger, to Fire Referral Group

Convenor = *March 10;4. Approval process completed:

Mackay District - April 30; Whitsunday - April 30; Capricorn - May 31; Gladstone - May 31; Longreach - May 31.

Wildfire Response ProcedureWildfire Response Procedure Document & appendices Locality Map Fire Action Map Suppression Priority Map

1. Update as often as necessary (all copies) – send updates to Senior Ranger.2. Review each year prior to the ‘fire season.’3. Submit whole Procedure or list of revisions or copies of revised pages and/or

maps to Senior Ranger for approval.4. Due date for submission = *March 1 each year. 5. Approval process completed (all Districts): May 31.

Fire ReportsFire Reports1. Keep records on Fire Operational Log during burn.2. Submit Fire Report (for planned burn or wildfire) to Senior Ranger within

one month of completion of last patrol. (Incident Controller is responsible for Reports for wildfires)

3. Keep copy in Management Unit.

# plus Fire Plan Summary if required/ desirable.* If falling on a weekend, the submission date is the Monday immediately following.

Figure 3 ‘Wall chart summary’ of the documentation requirements and timetable associated with the internal approval process. The dates and District names are examples only.

Education, Interpretation, Community Liaisone.g. Burning with neighbours along the eastern boundary of the Reserve will be undertaken after first rains.e.g. Fire Plan for Park X is incorporated into Community Bushfire Protection Plane.g. Fire monitoring plots will be used by students from….as part of their landscape and ecology module.

RehabilitationProgramme

e.g. Planned burns will be conducted after rain in the communities around the disturbed site to minimise the risk of the site being impacted by wildfire and young trees being killed. e.g. Intense fire will be used in the areas of dense rubber vine as the first step in the rehabilitation programme.

Weed Management Programmee.g. Spot spraying of resprouting guinea grass will be undertaken following planned burns on the sand plains where guinea grass has invaded. e.g. Edge lighting from roadsides will be avoided so as not to encourage weed invasion and spread.

Feral & Stock Control Programmee.g. General musters within the lowland sections of the Park will be undertaken within two months after planned burning to make use of the attractiveness of green pick to stock.

Fire Managem

ent System

Cultural Heritage Managemente.g. Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys will be undertaken along alluvial flats, within two weeks of planned burns when artefacts/ evidence of occupation will be most visible.e.g. Native title holders are actively engaged in developing Fire Strategy for the Reserve.

Endangered Species Managemente.g. Use storm burns to maintain grassland and prevent Melaleuca invasion of golden-shouldered parrot habitat.e.g. Increase fire interval in tall eucalypt forest between Native Cat Creek and 9 Mile Gully to promote structural complexity thereby increasing the available habitat for spotted-tailed quoll.

Figure 4 The relationship between the Fire Management System and other QPWS operations and responsibilities.

References (Cited in the text and/or glossary)

Clarke J. (1998) Central Coast Fire Management Planning and Reporting System. Central Coast Region, Queensland Department of Environment. Internal document.

Clarkson R. and Batt D. (1994) Draft fire management planning system. Department of Environment. Internal document.

McCarthy G.J., Tolhurst K.G. and Chatto K. (1999) Overall fuel hazard guide. Fire Management Research Report No. 47, Centre for Forest Tree Technology, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1990) Fire Management Manual.

Preece N., Latz P., O’Byrne D., Portlock H. and Waithman J. (1989) Fire Management Manual for central Australian parks and reserves. Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory. Alice Springs: Government Printer of the Northern Territory.

Rose R., Wiltshire G. and Lang S. (1999) The importance and application of spatial patterns in the management of fire regimes for the protection of life and property and the conservation of biodiversity. In: Bushfire 99 - Australian bushfire conference, Albury, Australia 7-9 July, 1999 (eds B. Lord, M. Gill, R. Bradstock) pp. 349- 358.

Wouters M. (1996) Developing fire management planning and monitoring. In: Fire and Biodiversity - The effects and effectiveness of fire management. Proceedings of Conference held 8-9 October 1994, Footscray, Melbourne. Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 8, Biodiversity Unit, Department of Environment, Sport and Territories. Pp. 235-239.

Glossary

This section provides definitions for terms, used in the text, that may be confusing or that may be used differently by other organisations. Also included are some terms that may be encountered elsewhere in the field of fire management. (Definitions for indices, ratings and fuel curing, arrangement and weight have been derived from Preece et al. 1989, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service 1990, McCarthy et al. 1990).

Arson The deliberate ignition of any property or any land with the intent to maliciously destroy or damage it, or with the intent to endanger the life of another person.

Available fuel The component of the vegetation (living and dead) that would burn in a fire at a given point in time. This varies enormously with vegetation type, vegetation structure (fuel arrangement) and Fire Danger Index. It is important to remember that available fuel is not just what is dry and on the ground. Depending on conditions, available fuel can extend all the way from the soil to the canopy and, in severe conditions, can include green leaves and smaller branches. (See also fine fuel)

Byram-Keetch Drought Index (BKDI)

An objective measure of the severity of drought conditions (dryness of the soil). Derived from daily rainfall and maximum temperature data. The metric index (rainfall measured in mm) ranges from 0 (wettest conditions) to 200 (severe drought conditions). BKDI is required to calculate Fire Danger Index (FDI) and predict fire behaviour in forested situations using the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter. This index is not used for calculating FDI with the McArthur Grassland Meter.

Control line Constructed trails (sometimes referred to as fire trails) or environmental features that can be used in the management of a fire. Permanent control lines should (usually) have a primary purpose other than that of a control line (e.g. access track to a campground). Control lines are NOT fire breaks. Although the term ‘control line’ is not without its shortcomings it should be used in preference to ‘fire break’ to avoid the perception that a fire will stop at a ‘break.’

Degree of curing A measure of the amount of dryness in fine fuels expressed as a percentage (0% cured = green; 100% cured = totally dry). Used to calculate Fire Danger Index (FDI) and predict fire behaviour in grasslands using the McArthur

Grassland Fire Danger Meter and rate of spread using the CSIRO Fire Spread Meter for northern Australia. Degree of curing is the inverse of fuel moisture content.

Drought index A measure of the dryness of the soil in terms of the amount of rain (mm) needed to bring the soil to field capacity (i.e. the point where run-off begins). The most common indices are the Byram-Keetch Drought Index and the Soil Dryness Index (used most commonly in southern Australia, especially Tasmania).

Fine fuel Fuel elements 6 mm or less in diameter. This includes all plant material (living and dead). These are the components of the fuel that burn with the passage of the fire front. Those elements of the fuel that burn after the passage of the front are defined as course fuel. Only the fine fuel is considered when calculating Fire Danger Index.

Fire Association Fire Association is a term used in the Fire Management System for an area, within a Fire Management Zone, that requires a particular fire management regime. The regime may be based on the fire management requirements of vegetation, fauna habitat, cultural resources, infrastructure and production values or a combination thereof.

Fire Referral Group See Section 4.1

Fire Break Refer to definition of control line.

Fire Danger Index (FDI) A relative measure of fire danger that is used to predict likely fire behaviour. The figure is directly related to the likelihood of a fire starting, rate of spread, intensity and suppression difficulty. The Index calculation is based on fuel characteristics, days since rain, amount of recent rain, relative humidity, air temperature, and wind speed. At FDI 1 fires are unlikely to burn or will burn very slowly and will be easy to suppress. At FDI 100 or more fires burn so hot and fast that control is probably impossible. The McArthur Forest and Grassland Fire Danger Meters are used to calculate this index. It should be noted that the Forest Meter is based on expected behaviour in high eucalypt forest with about 12.5 t/ha of fuel in level to undulating country. The grassland meter is based on a continuous fuel bed of annual and perennial grasses in level to undulating country. Accordingly an element of judgement is always required to adjust the figures for each situation.

Fire Danger Rating (FDR) An expression of the Fire Danger Index (FDI) in plain language. FDI is divided into categories: Low, Moderate, High, Very High and Extreme (this is what is displayed on the fire danger signs along roadsides). For example a FDR of High corresponds to a FDI between 12 and 24 on the Forest Meter and 7.4 and 20 on the Grassland Meter.

Fire line The line along which a fire is burning (the frontier of the fire). This may be a head-fire or a flank.

Fire Management Area A section of a reserve with topographic and/or other characteristics that enable it to be managed as a unit. A Fire Management Area will usually include several vegetation communities/habitat types and can include more than one Fire Management Zone. Refer to Appendix 4 of the Fire Strategy Template (Appendix 3 of this document) for details.

Fire Management Zone Zones provide a practical way of identifying, planning and applying (spatially and temporally) appropriate fire regimes across a landscape. They show, at a glance, the principal purpose/s (in terms of fire management) for any given part of a reserve and therefore the way in which the area will generally be managed with/for fire. Within any one zone there may be one to many vegetation communities/habitats and a corresponding range of appropriate fire regimes depending on the purpose/s of the zone. The zones are: Protection Zone Wildfire Mitigation Zone Conservation Zone Sustainable Production Zone Rehabilitation Zone Reference Zone Exclusion Zone

Refer to Appendix 4 of the Fire Strategy Template (Appendix 3 this document) for details.

Fire Plan See Section 2.1.

Fire Strategy See Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Fuel arrangement The way in which the available fuel is arranged vertically and horizontally. Fuel arrangement has an enormous influence on fire behaviour (as does fuel weight). Examples: In a grassy Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland that is grazed, almost all the available fuel may be below 0.5 m and may be distributed fairly evenly across the ground. In a well- developed, healthy eucalypt open forest the available fuel is likely to be arranged in clumps horizontally. Vertically, the fuel is likely to consist of low and high shrubs (containing dead material), flaky bark on the canopy trees, some grasses as well as large

amounts of fallen bark, leaves, branches and trees.

Fuel load Generally used synonymously with fuel weight.

Fuel management The conscious management of the quantity of fuel (usually fine fuel) that exists in an area. The most common form of fuel management is aimed at reduction of the quantity of fuel to reduce fire hazard (often called ‘hazard reduction’). That is, proactive measures that reduce the risk of fire ignition and, sometimes, likely fire intensity in the event of a wildfire. Most often referred to in the context of a ‘hazard reduction burn’. Other forms of fuel reduction include physical removal (e.g. slashing, slashing and burning or simply raking up fine fuel) and watering ‘green breaks’. In some cases, it may be desirable to manage fuels to allow them to accumulate to allow an area to be burned at high intensity (e.g. for weed control or to facilitate germination).

Fuel weight A measure of the amount of available fuel in an area. A variety of methods exist for estimating this ranging from a simple guess to detailed sampling of dry and green vegetation from all strata in a forest. Most methods sample only the portion of the total available fuel close to the ground (e.g. up to 1.5 m). McCarthy et al. (1999) have however developed an ‘overall fuel hazard guide.’ Fuel weight is expressed as tonnes per hectare (t/ha). This information is required for predicting fire behaviour using the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter. Examples: It is estimated that to protect catchment values in hilly country a minimum of 12 t/ha is required. Fuel weights in tall wet sclerophyll forests (e.g. SE NSW, Tas) are often around 50 t/ha. Fuel weights in eucalypt open forests and woodlands are in the order of between 10 and 20 t/ha.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computerised system that allows very large amounts of data to be displayed and printed in map form. Data can be manipulated and interrogated in a variety of ways. Most GIS’s can also be used to make predictions based on available information (e.g. potential distributions of rare and threatened species).

Hazard reduction See fuel management.

Mosaic burning A planned burning approach which aims to create spatial and temporal variation in fire regimes (frequency, intensity, season) across fire-prone communities and landscapes (refer Wouters 1996). The impacts of wildfire can be

used opportunistically to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a ‘mosaic’ landscape. Strategic planning for mosaic burning in Reserves should consider at least four broad levels of mosaic (taken from Rose et al. 1999):

regional - How is the surrounding landscape being managed? Can the reserve provide post-fire successional stages not being provided in the wider landscape? How can mosaics on the reserve balance/ counterbalance external management regimes?

zones - These facilitate the creation of a complex mosaic of fire intervals across a reserve within the biodiversity thresholds of the various vegetation communities/habitat types which are present.

vegetation community/habitat type - Typically different fire regimes are required in different communities to maintain biodiversity. Therefore within each zone a mosaic pattern, based on vegetation requirements, will develop.

burn patch - Natural patchiness generally occurs in a burn, even in a ‘single’ vegetation community, because of variation in fuel loads, moisture differentials and other microclimatic differences, and changes in weather conditions during the burn. Advantage can be taken of conditions which promote natural patchiness to enhance fine scale mosaics within a community and hence within the broader landscape.

Refer to definition of rotational burning.

Planned burn In the context of QPWS operations: a fire that is deliberately and legally lit for the purposes of managing the natural and/or cultural resources of the area (e.g. reducing fire hazard, ecological manipulation).

Planned Burn Programme See Sections 2.1 and 2.3.

Rotational burning Cyclical approach to planned burning such that a particular area is burned at a regular time interval e.g. every three years. Rotational burning does not create a ‘mosaic’ landscape (i.e. rotational burning mosaic burning).

Refer to definition of mosaic burning.

Wildfire In the context of QPWS operations: a fire that is

burning in an area where no fire was planned at that time (i.e. a fire with no Burn Proposal) or a planned burn which goes beyond the intent of the proposal AND for which the result is substantially negative with respect to the objectives of the Burn Proposal and hence the Fire Strategy.

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