The Current Bushfire Incidents web site
http://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map.html
This site shows vegetation fires known to FireComm, using a diamond-shaped icon with a blue fire shape inside. Clicking on the icon shows basic information about the reported fire, and clicking on the "more information" link shows further information (if available).
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| Click on the map to enlarge, press Esc key to return to page |
Note: Treat locations of fires shown on this map as indicative only. It is not uncommon for a fire (or a permit - see below) to be shown at a location far from its real location. Sometimes this seems to be due to the use of street addresses instead of actual fire locations (some people have large properties or long easement access, so the street access point can be far from the fire).
In addition, absence of a fire at a location does not mean that FireComm has not been informed of a fire there. If you are aware of a fire that is being attended by fire crews at a particular location, but it is not shown on the Current Bushfire Incidents map, please make a note of the location of the fire, the time you became aware of the fire, and the time you accessed the Bushfire Incidents web page and pass this on to one of the Smokespotter Coordinators. We will advise QFRS so that they can try to track how the omission occurred and in this way improve their service.
This site can also show existing permits to burn - click in the box "Show QFRS Current Permitted Burns" at the bottom left of the map - permit locations are shown as diamond-shaped icons with a document symbol inside.
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| Click on the map to enlarge, press Esc key to return to page |
Again, clicking on the icon shows basic information about the permit, however at this stage I cannot find conclusive information as to whether permits are uploaded to this database after being issued, or only after advice to FireComm that there is a light-up associated with the permit. What is certain is that not all permits get onto this database, even when FireComm has been notified of a light-up, and the Helidon Hills area appears to be particularly deficient in reports of issued permits or light-ups. If you advise FireComm that you are lighting up a permitted burn but then your fire does not appear on the Current Bushfire Incidents page (don't forget to click the Current Permits box) within a reasonable time, please make a note of the time you notified FireComm, your location, and the time you checked the web site. We will pass this on to the relevant section in QFRS to help them improve their service.
The same cautions apply to the display of permits on this site as to fire locations.
Smokespotter Coordinators use these maps to try to determine whether located smoke sources are known bushfires or permitted burns.
The Firewatch web site - MyFireWatch
http://myfirewatch.landgate.wa.gov.au/This site is useful not only for looking for fires viewed from satellites within the last few hours, but also for having an overview of fires detected up to 72 hours ago. Multiple fire points in an area, covering different periods, show where a fire has continued burning over several days. Smokespotter Coordinators can refer to this database not only to check whether located smoke is from a known bushfire, but also to locate the source(s) of heavy smoke haze in the Helidon Hills / Lockyer area - something they are often asked about by people concerned at the amount of smoke they are seeing.
If you are using this site please read the details on the accuracy of the hot-spot indications on the map at this link: https://myfirewatch.landgate.wa.gov.au/disclaimer.html
To bring the map to your area type your locality name in the search box at the top. Best to follow it with your State as well - surprising how many locality names are repeated throughout Australia.
If you want to have more viewing and use options you could try logging into FireWatch Pro as a "guest"
Among the many options available in FireWatch Pro, it is possible to select, under "Basemaps" (top left) a range of different map views. The Google Terrain basemap provides a wide range of geographical locators (roads, waterways, park boundaries, etc.) to help identify fire positions - though the latitude/longitude coordinates for the cursor position (see bottom left of the map view) do this extremely well. These coordinates make it simple to transfer fire locations back to Google Earth, using the latter's search box. The Firewatch decimal degree coordinates can be entered directly into the Google Earth search box.
when it comes to bushfires, we are all neighbours
