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Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service - Fire Management System (2003)
Volume 1: Planning and Reporting
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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, 2003
This document is copyright. The material can be copied provided that any extracts are fully acknowledged.
Cover design: Adrienne Wall (Graphic Artist)
Educational Media Section
Central Queensland University
Printed by:Publishing Unit, Central Queensland University
Enquiries to:
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 155
Brisbane Albert St, QLD 4002
Telephone: (07) 3227 8185
Background and Acknowledgments
This 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)
Coordinator:
Rhonda Melzer (Principal Conservation Officer, Natural Resource Management, Central Region) (ed. 1 & 2)
Contents
Background and Acknowledgments
List of Appendices
1.0Introduction
2.0Fire management planning
2.1Terminology
2.2Fire Strategy......
2.3Planned Burn Programme
2.4Fire Report
2.4.1Rapid Fire Advice
2.4.2Fire Report
2.5Wildfire Response Procedure
3.0Consultation and notification
4.0Approval process
4.1Fire Referral Group
4.2Fire Strategy
4.3Planned Burn Programme
4.3.1Implementation of burns
4.4Wildfire Response Procedure
5.0Summary of the Fire Management System and documentation
References
Glossary
List of Figures
Figure 1Documentation governing fire management on QPWS estate.
Figure 2The Fire Management System - components and linkages related to planning and reporting.
Figure 3‘Wall chart summary’ of the documentation requirements and timetable associated with the internal approval process.
Figure 4The relationship between the Fire Management System and other QPWS operations and responsibilities.
List of Appendices
1The philosophy of burning - a discussion
2Fire Plan Summary Template and instructions for use
3Fire Strategy Template and instructions for use
3aFire Strategy Template - hardcopy version
3bFire Referral Group Approval sheet for a Fire Strategy or Planned Burn Programme
4Planned Burn Programme Forms and instructions for use
4aPlanned Burn Programme cover sheet
4bPre-burn Contact list
4cInterim Strategic Information sheet
4dBurn Proposal form
5Fire Report Forms and instructions for use
5aFire Report Form
5bFire Operational Log
6Wildfire Response Procedure Template and instructions for use
7Community Bushfire Protection Plan
8Sample Notification
9Example proformae: a fire management protocol to guide traditional owner consultation and involvement
Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service - Fire Management System (2003)
Volume 1: Planning and Reporting
1
Fire Management System
1.0Introduction
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.
2.0Fire 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.
Figure 1Documentation governing fire management on QPWS estate.
Fire PlanFire Strategy / Wildfire Response Procedure
Planned Burn Programme
Planned burn / Wildfire response
Fire Report
Rapid Fire Advice
Final Report
Fire History
Figure 2The Fire Management System - components and linkages related to planning and reporting.
2.1Terminology
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.
Planned Burn Programme / 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.
2.2Fire Strategy
The 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:
- Values of the reserve and adjoining land.
- 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”).
- 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”).
- Best available details of vegetation communities and/or habitat types. As a minimum requirement broad vegetation types should be delineated on a map.
- Significant (including threatened) flora and fauna and/or indicator species or communities.
- Fire management objectives and requirements for the flora, fauna, cultural resources, production resources, reserve infrastructure and resources on adjoining lands.
- Evaluation of risks to the stated natural and cultural resources, and other values of the reserve and neighbouring lands including the ‘no-burn’ option.
- 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.
- 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.
- Evaluation of current access track system and details of any additions or closures required.
- 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.
- Details of any inappropriate suppression techniques for each Fire Management Zone.
- 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.
2.3Planned 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.