Record-breaking hazard reduction burns prepare protected areas for bushfire season

• The Crisafulli Government has delivered another record hazard reduction burn program across Queensland’s parks and protected areas, with almost 1 million hectares treated. 
• The record-breaking result was delivered as part of the Crisafulli Government’s More Rangers, Better Neighbours election promise.
• The record follows the Crisafulli Government’s decision to save 40 specialist fire positions left unfunded by the former Labor Government. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering More Rangers, Better Neighbours, with another record year of hazard reduction burns helping make Queensland’s national parks better prepared for bushfires and better neighbours to surrounding communities. 
 
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers treated a record 981,081 hectares through 546 planned burns in 2025-26, surpassing the previous record set just one year earlier. 
 
The back-to-back record years are part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to better manage Queensland’s national parks – reducing fuel loads, improving the health of protected areas and reducing bushfire risk to neighbouring communities and properties.

The result follows the Crisafulli Government’s decision to save 40 specialist fire ranger positions left unfunded by the former Labor Government, giving Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service the frontline capability to better prepare and manage the State’s protected areas.

Hazard reduction burns are continuing across Queensland at this time, with burns in Little Mulgrave Park, Bellthorpe National Park, Gadgarra National Park and Mount Windsor National Park scheduled for the rest of this week, weather permitting. 

Minister for the Environment and Tourism said Queenslanders deserved national parks that were properly managed and good neighbours to the communities around them. 

“Queenslanders expect us to take care of our own backyard, and that is exactly what More Rangers, Better Neighbours is delivering,” Minister Powell said. 

“Labor was going to cut 40 specialist fire ranger positions. We saved those jobs because preparing our national parks for bushfires matters to the people who live alongside them. 

“Those rangers are now helping deliver back-to-back record years of planned burns, with almost one million hectares treated in the past year alone. 

“This is about doing the work before bushfire season – reducing fuel loads, looking after our national parks and making them better neighbours for Queensland communities.”  

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Fire Services Director Susan Scott said QPWS would continue to build Queensland’s bushfire resilience through planned burning. 

“QPWS fire-trained rangers will continue to undertake planned burns in national parks and State forests as conditions allow,” Ms Scott said. 

“Every planned burn we deliver is contributing to a healthier environment and a more bushfire-resilient state, which is especially important as we enter the 2026 bushfire risk period. 

“Park visitors and neighbours can help us continue to deliver this important work by checking Park Alerts for any fire activities before visiting and staying aware of fire conditions in their area.” 

More information about how QPWS manages fire in parks and forests is available on the DETSI website. 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ruth McCosker, 0406 331 114 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Full list of 2025-26 planned burn locations available on request, it includes 

• Bribie Island National Park 
• Bunyaville Conservation Park
• Byfield Conservation Park
• Cardwell State Forest
• D’Aguilar National Park
• Daintree National Park
• Kuranda National Park
• Paluma Range National Park
• Springvale Station
• Whitsunday Islands National Park