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Planned burns

As a major landholder and statutory authority, Seqwater has a responsibility to address fire management in our catchments.

We conduct planned burns before the bushfire season to help protect our local communities, properties, and the environment. These controlled burns reduce bushfire risks by managing dense vegetation and natural fuel hazards.

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Home What We're Doing Planned burns

Your safety is important to us. Each year, our controlled burns reduce bushfire risks by managing dense vegetation and natural fuel hazards. Areas with the most fire risk are prioritised using data and criteria that includes time since the last burn, amount of vegetation growth and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Each of our planned burns adhere to strict guidelines set by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES). These guidelines consider essential factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction which help to inform decisions about planned burns and ensures burns are conducted safely.

When burns will be held

Most of Seqwater’s planned burns take place between March and September. There may be some burn activity outside of this period, weather permitting. Some planned burns may be cancelled up to and including the schedule day if the weather is unsuitable.

While we can’t advise specific dates for burns, residents will receive a postal letter ahead of time. Notifications are also posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages on the day of a burn.

Find out more by downloading Seqwater's Fire Management Fact Sheet.

Schedule for 2024

Our planned burn schedule by region is listed below. Not all planned burns on this schedule may be progressed this season, depending on conditions. 

Northern region

  • Aspley Reservoir
  • Borumba Dam
  • Cooloolabin Dam
  • Enogerra Dam
  • Ewen Maddock Dam
  • Sideling Creek Dam (Lake Kurwongbah)
  • Lake Macdonald Dam
  • North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale)
  • Sparkes Hill Reservoir

Central region

  • Gold Creek Reservoir
  • Jimna WTP
  • Clarendon Dam
  • Manchester Dam
  • Somerset Dam
  • Wivenhoe Dam
  • Mt Crosby (Mt Crosby/Kholo area)

Southern region

  • Bromelton
  • Hinze Dam
  • Leslie Harrison Dam
  • Little Nerang Dam
  • Heinemann Rd Reservoir
  • Maroon Dam
  • Molendinar WTP
  • Moogerah Dam
  • Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
  • Wyaralong Dam

Smoke alerts and updates

Smoke alerts and new information will be updated here regularly.

Seqwater planned burn map DNP008 North Pine Dam 2024

Planned burn scheduled at North Pine Dam Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday 1 October 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn at North Pine Dam Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday 1 October 2024 subject to weather forecasts and conditions.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke which will be visible in the Joyner and Whiteside area, with easterly influenced winds expected to move smoke away from Protheroe Road.

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Planned burn map near Coulson, Lake Wyaralong, September 2024

Planned burn scheduled at Lake Wyaralong (Crows Ash) in the Coulson area on Thursday 3 October 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn at Lake Wyaralong (Crows Ash) in the Coulson area on Thursday 3 October 2024 subject to weather forecasts and conditions.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke which will be visible in the Wyaralong/Coulson area. Smoke should lift and disperse well through the day and move north with expected southerly winds.

There are no significant impacts on local roads expected. 

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Planned burn map near Coulson, Lake Wyaralong, September 2024

Planned burn scheduled at Lake Wyaralong (Harveys) in the Coulson area on Wednesday 2 October 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn at Lake Wyaralong (Harvey's) in the Coulson area on Wednesday 2 October 2024 subject to weather forecasts and conditions.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke which will be visible in the Wyaralong/Coulson area. Smoke should lift and disperse well through the day and move north with expected southerly winds.

There are no significant impacts on local roads expected. 

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Hinze Dam burn map 2024

Planned burn scheduled at Hinze Dam Mountain Bike Park on Friday 13 September 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn at the Hinze Dam Mountain Bike Park for Friday 13 September 2024..

The Hinze Dam Mountain Bike Park will be closed while this planned burn is in progress.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke which will be visible in the Advancetown and Gilston area. 

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Planned burn map Pineapple HRB Lake Samsonvale

Planned burn scheduled at Pinedale/Winn Road, Lake Samsonvale on Tuesday 3 September 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn along Pinedale/Winn Road at Lake Samsonvale on Tuesday 3 September 2024.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke which will be visible in the Cashmere area. Southerly influenced winds are expected to move smoke away from community and into the Lake to disperse further.

Traffic control and smoke hazard signage will be in place on local roads for safety. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Map of planned burn area at Lake Wivenhoe in August 2024

Planned burn scheduled near Lake Wivenhoe hills on Thursday 8 August 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn in the Winvehoe Dam catchment, near Wivenhoe hills, from 10am on Thursday 8 August 2024.

The planned burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke that will be visible in the Wivenhoe region and from the Brisbane Valley Highway which is not expected to impact traffic.

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Thumbnail of Hinze Dam Planned Burn map DHZ003 August 2024

Planned burn scheduled at Hinze Dam on Friday 2 August 2024

Seqwater has scheduled a planned burn in the Hinze Dam catchment from 10am on Friday 2 August 2024.

The planned burn will require the closure of the White Road multi-use rail from 2 August to 5 August 2024, and is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke that will be visible in the area, .

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Planned burn map of Pinedale/Winn Road, Lake Samsonvale - 30 July 2024

Planned burn near Pinedale/Winn Road, Lake Samsonvale on Wednesday 31 July 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn near Pinedale/Winn Road, Lake Samsonvale (Cashmere) from 10am on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

The burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke that will be visible in the Cashmere area, with Southerly winds expected to assist smoke move away from community and into the lake to disperse further.

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Leslie Harrison Dam planned burn map DLH006 July 2024

Planned burn at Leslie Harrison Dam (Capalaba area) on Wednesday 24 July 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn at Leslie Harrison Dam (Capalaba area) from 10.30am on Wednesday 24 July 2024.

The burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke that will be visible in the Capalaba area, with SE winds expected to assist smoke dispersal away from community and into the lake.

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Planned burn map near Lilybrook Road, Lake Wyaralong DWY004 July 2024

Planned burn near Lilybrook Road (Coulsen area) at Lake Wyaralong on Tuesday 23 July 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn in the Lilybrook Raod, Coulson area at Lake Wyaralong from from 10.30am on Tuesday 23 July 2024.

The burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke and will be visible in the Coulson area but, with good mixing heights and low wind speeds, should lift and disperse well for the local community.

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Leslie Harrison Dam planned burn map

Planned burn at Leslie Harrison Dam Friday 19 July 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn at Leslie Harrison Dam from 10.30am on Friday 19 July 2024.

The burn is likely to produce reasonable amounts of smoke and will be visible in the Burbank area, but due to small size of burn should limited from 10.30am through to 2pm.

If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Thumbnail of planned burn area in Kirkleagh June 2024

Planned burn in Kirkleagh area Tuesday 25 June 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn in the Kirkleagh area at 10am on Tuesday 25 June 2024.

The burn is likely to produce a reasonable amount of smoke visible in the Kirkleagh area and from local roads.

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Thumbnail of Lake Manchester / Mt Nebo planned burn map - June 2024

Planned burn near Lake Manchester/Mt Nebo area Monday 17 June 2024

Seqwater will commence a planned burn near Lake Manchester/Mt Nebo area at 10am on Monday 17 June 2024.

The burn is likely to produce a reasonable amount of smoke visible above Lake Manchester and for the Mt Nebo community.

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Aerial map of Dunwich with outline of planned burn area

Planned burn near Dunwich WTP Tuesday 11 June 2024

Seqwater has commenced a planned burn near the Dunwich water treatment plant on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) today, on Tuesday 11 June 2024.

The burn is likely to produce a reasonable amount of smoke visible east of Dunwich near the Aero Field.

Traffic control may in place on local roads. If you are visiting or travelling through the area, please remain vigilant and follow the directions of staff and signage on site.

If you have a respiratory health condition, please follow the advice of your health practitioner and in case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Seqwater Fire Officer conducting a planned burn.

Seqwater’s planned burns season commences soon

Seqwater’s annual program of planned burns for 2024 is set to commence soon, as conditions permit, ahead of bushfire season to help protect local communities, properties, and the environment.  

Seqwater’s annual program of planned burns for 2024 is set to commence soon, as conditions permit, ahead of bushfire season to help protect local communities, properties, and the environment.  

Planned burns are a way to reduce risk and fuel loads, such as grasses and dense undergrowth, and help to mitigate seasonal bushfire risk to the land and catchments Seqwater manages, as well as neighbouring properties.

Seqwater Executive General Manager of Operations, Fiore Zulli, said the first hazard reduction burn of the season will likely be on North Stradbroke Island, pending weather conditions.   

“We’ve had a wet start to the year, but the catchments are drying out and as the temperatures are becoming cooler, we can begin our planned burns program, which typically runs through to September,” Mr Zulli said. 

“Before we commence a planned burn, we carefully consider and analyse the weather conditions which include identifying the ideal temperature, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, and humidity levels to ensure we can conduct the burn in accordance with our Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) permit.

“When conducting a planned burn, we also establish conservation protection zones, and consider the best approach to enhance the biodiversity of the area.

“Safety is our priority and we’re always extremely mindful of the impacts that smoke from planned burns may have on the community, and we thank them for their understanding while we undertake this important work.”

Seqwater is committed to proactive fire management and works closely with its neighbours, partners, government agencies, traditional owners, and key authorities to safely facilitate planned burns across the region.

Seqwater encourages the community to keep an eye on their letterboxes for more information about Seqwater’s planned burns. Dam and recreation site visitors should also check Seqwater’s Recreation and Safety notices on the Seqwater website, or download the Seqwater app, for notifications on closures and conditions.

Multiple agencies may be conducting burns at the same time, so it is important to stay up to date with planned burns in your area.

Important information

Smoke impacts

Smoke may still drift and can stay around for up to one week after the planned burns, subject to weather.  During a planned burn, we recommend that you stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed. Try to avoid outdoor activities in areas affected by smoke including washing and hanging out clothes to dry.

Residents with respiratory conditions

We recommend you stay indoors with windows and doors closed and use an air purifier if available. You should discuss the planned burns with your health practitioner and follow their advice. Ensure you always carry necessary medications with you.

If you start to feel unwell, please contact your health practitioner, and in the case of an emergency, please call triple zero (000).

Other information