Gulf Savannah NRM is encouraging residents to attend the free FNQ Fire Forum in Mareeba on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March.
The forum is the culmination of a three-year project to build bushfire resilience in Mareeba Shire communities.
‘The forum is the perfect chance to learn from bushfire management experts. There will be talks from leading scientists and ranger teams — and opportunities to find out about bushfire mitigation methods, mapping and understanding fuel loads,’ said Vickie Mylrea, Gulf Savannah NRM’s Regional Fire Coordination Project Officer.
The first day of the forum is at Royals Church in Mareeba and speakers include representatives from the Northern Australian Fire Information Service (NAFI), FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils and ranger teams from across the Gulf and Cape York regions.
The second day, at Gulf Savannah NRM’s offices on Peters Street in Mareeba, focusses on training and workshops, including monitoring properties with drones and one-on-one support to develop your own bushfire plan.
‘Bushfire impacts communities, properties, infrastructure and native flora and fauna in Mareeba Shire, and projections show fire risk is likely to increase in our region.
‘Our project has worked with cluster groups of neighbours from high-risk areas in the Shire to develop fire management plans. This free forum is open to everyone, especially those recently impacted by bushfire or if you are interested in becoming a rural fire brigade officer.’
The forum is fully catered and provides free food and refreshments throughout both days, including a networking dinner on Saturday evening. Registration is required for catering purposes.
Register for your free place at bit.ly/fireforum24 or contact Vickie Mylrea on 4092 1088 or Vickie.mylrea@gulfsavannahnrm.org. View the full program by following the registration link.