3 types of terminology you need to know about park fire management
Issued: 25 Sep

As the weather warms, and the debate of which park you’ll explore next heats up, our protected areas are already in the midst of some very careful landscaping. While you’re dusting off the hiking boots, our Rangers are wiping the ash off their fire gear as they use one of the greatest tools in our conservation toolbelt to keep Queensland’s parks and forests in tip-top shape and help to protect nearby communities. Bushfire season can extend from July through to February but Rangers know that it pays to be prepared all year ‘round so they're doing everything they can—and weather will allow—to keep parks and State forests bushfire-ready.

For those curious about the nitty gritty (sometimes smokey) details of what fire management within our protected areas looks like, we’ve compiled a list of key terminology you could hear our Rangers use when talking about fire. Ready to get your hands a little dirty?

1. In the thick of it

Fuel: Any material such as grass, leaf litter, and live vegetation which can be ignited and sustains a fire.

Fire line: Any road or track on a park or forest used for planned burns and bushfire suppression.

Stag tree: A mature or dead standing tree that provides habitat for native wildlife.

Scar tree: A tree with a shield-shaped scar near the base, which can be culturally significant.

Incendiary: A burning compound or metal used to produce intense heat or flame to start a planned burn.

2. Burn strategy

Mosaic burn: A planned burning approach which aims to create spatial and temporal variation across fire adapted vegetation.

Planned burn: The controlled use of fire to a specified area at a particular time, intensity and rate of spread to meet desired outcomes.

Test burn: A small planned fire ignited to evaluate potential fire behaviour in a larger planned burn.

As always, keep an eye on Park Alerts for the latest information on conditions, access and any potential closures to Queensland’s parks and forests. For all other fire information, including how to best prepare for bushfire season, check out the Queensland Fire Department website.