Cutting-edge fire management practices strengthen bushfire resilience

Queensland’s 13-million-hectare public protected area and forest estate is among the state’s most valued environmental and cultural treasures. 

Our natural heritage jewels include Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Girraween National Park on the New South Wales border, Carnarvon Gorge in the central west, and Cape York’s world-famous Daintree National Park.

But they are increasingly vulnerable to more intense and complex bushfires.

During the devastating 2019 Black Summer Bushfires, close to 750,000 hectares of national park and state forests were scorched by 173 separate bushfires. 

With the risks rising, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) recognised the urgent need for innovative strategies to safeguard these lands and their surrounding communities.

Launched under the Better Queensland Parks initiative, the Fire Management Uplift Program reimagined how fire is managed by integrating traditional knowledge, community collaboration, and cutting-edge practices.

It’s a $39.2 million commitment to protecting not only biodiversity, but also the lives and properties of Queenslanders.

Key to the program’s implementation is strong partnerships with First Nations peoples. 

More than 2.5 million hectares of protected areas are now under formal joint management arrangements, with cultural fire practices embedded in all phases of planning and delivery. 

This collaboration ensures traditional knowledge is harnessed to complement modern techniques, creating a more balanced and effective approach to fire management.

Additionally, QPWS has introduced dedicated fire teams across each of their six regional boundaries, supported by a State Fire Services team to coordinate and lead efforts to reduce bushfire risks while enhancing the health of native ecosystems.

The strategy ensures that every corner of Queensland benefits from tailored fire management solutions while maintaining a state-wide consistency in leadership and oversight.

Within just 12 months, the program exceeded its planned burn targets by nearly three months. 

In 2024-25, QPWS conducted 637 planned burns covering 968,884 hectares, exceeding the target of 637,210 hectares by 52 per cent.

Planned burns are strategically applied to reduce fuel loads to prevent severe bushfires while simultaneously improving habitat quality for native species.

By building capacity, incorporating diverse knowledge systems, and engaging directly with communities, the Fire Management Uplift Program exemplifies resilience, strength, and innovation.

In early 2025, the program withstood real-world testing when severe weather conditions, including record heat and bushfire conditions, demonstrated the effectiveness of the new fire practices. 

Communities and biodiversity assets in high-risk regions, including the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs, were successfully safeguarded, proving the value of this forward-thinking initiative.

The Fire Management Uplift Program is a shining example of how innovative fire management is contributing towards a more bushfire-resilient Queensland while supporting a healthy environment.  

The Fire Management Uplift Program took out top honours in the Government Awards Category at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards.

The full list of Queensland winners and highly commended entrants is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au/RAA25-QldAwards.