Incendiary drones are helping Moreton Bay City Council step up its planned burns program ahead of the new bushfire season.
And council is expanding its fleet to include surveillance of burn sites before, during and after.
Contracted by council, the drones have flown into remote areas to drop incendiary pellets in the last several months to help fire crews carry out the hazard reduction work.
VIDEO: Click here to watch one take off at Samford in August.
The drones drop small incendiary pellets which allows crews to carry out their burns with greater precision and safety.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the new technology has already made a positive impact to council’s planned burns program.
“We’ve taken action to reduce fuel loads and lessen the risk of major bushfires,” he said.
“This drone technology allows us to access areas that vehicles and even people sometimes can’t reach.
“Within seconds of being dropped the capsule bursts into flame, igniting the surrounding vegetation to begin a cooler, controlled burn.”
DRONES BOOSTING EFFORTS
Flannery says the drones are “a more compact, cost-effective and safer alternative to helicopters” that allows them to keep fire crews safe while increasing the number of burns.
He says the drones allowed council to increase their hazard reduction efforts.
“In recent months, we’ve completed successful planned burns across several locations using this technology, including 19 hectares in Samford,” he says.
Flannery says the drone’s ability to reach previously inaccessible areas is helping them to better protect communities nearby.
“The use of aerial incendiaries is a well-tested and proven method,” he said.
Flannery says council is expanding its internal drone fleet to monitor the environment before, during and after burns and provide thermal imaging and real-time views for fire crews.
Click here for details of upcoming burns in the council catchment.
And he has a message for residents this season – “we’re preparing so you should be too”.
“Now’s the perfect time to clean up your yards, make sure you have a bushfire survival plan and sign up to MoretonAlert for alerts about planned burns in your area,” he says.
“Having a plan can save your life. It’s the most important step you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your home.”
Those with asthma or respiratory issues are advised stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed while planned burns are being conducted.
For more information on preparing for bushfires, click here to visit council’s website.
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