Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Planned Burn Guidelines Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland

DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 1 8/05/13 9:08 AM Prepared by: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Enhanced Fire Management Team, Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (NPRSR).

© The State of Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing 2012. Copyright enquiries should be addressed to or the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, 41 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000.

First published May 2013 Published by the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Planned Burn Guidelines – Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland First edition Bibliography ISBN 978-1-7423-0933 1. Planned Burn – Guideline 2. Fire Management 3. Bioregion – Queensland

Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. All Queensland Government planned burning should be done in accordance with government policies, procedures and protocols.

Acknowledgements The following people made substantial contributions to the intellectual content of these planned burn guidelines based on experience and/or expert knowledge with regard to fire management in the Gulf Plains bioregion. QPWS staff include: Mick Cockburn, Mike Ahmet, Danny Chew, Lana Little, Tony Cockburn, Rob Fishburn, Nick Smith, Keith McDonald, and John Clarkson. Queensland Herbarium staff include: John Thompson, Hans Dillewaard and Gary Wilson. DAFF staff include: Bernie English and Dr Paul Williams (Vegetation Management Science Pty Ltd). This guideline has been developed and produced by the QPWS Enhanced Fire Management Team: Kerensa McCallie, David Shevill, Wayne Kington, Jenise Blaik, Troy Spinks, Mark Cant and Justine Douglas; supported by David Clark, Caroline Grayson, Ellen Thyer and Tim Killen. Following a successful pilot project (QPWS South East Region Planned Burn Guidelines) initiated and developed by QPWS staff: Wayne Kington, David Kington and Mark Burnham. Front cover photograph: Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) Resource Reserve, Lea Ezzy, QPWS (2012). Bp2013

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 2 8/05/13 9:08 AM Foreword At more than 22 million hectares, the Gulf Plains bioregion covers approximately 12 per cent of Queensland, yet is contained within just two geological basins — the Carpentaria and Karumba. The bioregion is characterised by extensive alluvial plains, but also includes a dynamic coastal strip; and some tablelands, hills and ranges along its margins. Covering more than six degrees of longitude and almost seven degrees of latitude, the bioregion sees highly variable rainfall, and is influenced by coastal effects, but typically has cool, dry winters and hot, wet (monsoonal) summers. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones can affect the whole region, with subsequent influence on the timing and intensity of fires.

The economy of the region relies heavily on the pastoral industry, as well as fishing and tourism. These activities demand robust native grasslands and savannahs, stable riparian fringes and healthy and productive wetlands. The management of protected areas in the region has similar goals.

Woody thickening and invasion by weeds such as rubber vine, prickly acacia, and mimosa bush pose a serious threat to the biodiversity and production values of the Gulf Plains. Fire plays a key role in an integrated approach to halting and reversing these processes.

Informed use of fire is one of the most cost effective tools available and it is hoped these guidelines will provide a platform from which land managers can shape and hone a kit tailored to the needs of the lands and waters under their custodianship.

Lana Little Ranger Northern Region Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 3 8/05/13 9:08 AM Table of contents Foreword...... iii

Purpose of this guideline...... vi

Scope...... vii

Fire and climate in the Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland...... ix

How to use this guideline...... x

Chapter 1: Eucalypt communities...... 1 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities...... 3 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities...... 21 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings...... 37 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds...... 38 Issue 5: Manage high biomass invasive grasses...... 39

Chapter 2: Grasslands and sedgelands...... 40 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands...... 42 Issue 2: Maintain healthy spinifex grasslands...... 54 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings...... 55 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds...... 56 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses...... 57

Chapter 3: Melaleuca woodlands...... 58 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities...... 60 Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds...... 71 Issue 3: Manage high-biomass grasses...... 72

Chapter 4: Acacia communities...... 73 Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities...... 74 Issue 2: Manage high-biomass grasses...... 79

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 4 8/05/13 9:08 AM Chapter 5: Springs and dune communities...... 80 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities...... 81 Issue 2: Avoid peat fires...... 84

Chapter 6: Vine thickets...... 88 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into vine thickets...... 89 Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds...... 90 Issue 3: Manage high-biomass grasses...... 91

Chapter 7: Mangroves and saltmarshes...... 92 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into mangrove and saltmarsh communities...... 93 Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds...... 94

Chapter 8: Common issues...... 95 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns...... 96 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites.....105 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings...... 114 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds...... 121 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses...... 134 Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities...... 144 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms...... 149

Glossary of fire terminology...... 155

References...... 163

Appendix 1: List of regional ecosystems...... 167

Appendix 2: Mosaic burning...... 172

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 5 8/05/13 9:08 AM Bioregional planned Purpose of this guideline burn guideline This guideline was developed as part of the (and other parameters) Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing’s (NPRSR) Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Fire Management System to support the formation of fire strategies, burn proposals and Park-based fire on-ground planned burn implementation (supported management strategy by the Planned Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go). They assist rangers and other land managers to:

• protect life and property Planned burn • maintain healthy ecosystems program/burn proposal • promote awareness of fire management issues in the field • identify clear fire management objectives to address those issues; and how to assess objectives to assist in adaptive management Planned burn • identify suitable fire behaviour, burn tactics and implementation weather conditions to achieve objectives • provide information and tools to assist in How the planned implementing planned burns. burn guideline fits Please note that this planned burn guideline uses ‘fire into the QPWS Fire vegetation groups’ provided in ParkInfo that assist Management System. their integration into maps and fire strategies. A fire vegetation group is a group of related ecosystems that share common fire management requirements.

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 6 8/05/13 9:08 AM Scope • This guideline applies to the Gulf Plains bioregion (refer to Figure 1) and covers the following fire vegetation groups: eucalypt communities, grasslands and sedgelands, melaleuca communities, acacia communities, springs and dunes, vine thickets, mangrove and saltmarsh communities (refer to Appendix 1 for regional ecosystems contained in each fire vegetation group). • It covers the most common fire management issues arising in the Gulf Plains bioregion. In some cases, there will be a need to include issues in fire strategies or burn proposals beyond the scope of this guideline (e.g. highly specific species management issues). • This guideline recognises and respects Traditional Owner traditional ecological knowledge and the importance of collaborative fire management. Consultation and involvement should be sought from local Traditional Owners in the preparation and implementation of planned burns and specific guidelines incorporated into fire strategies where relevant. • Development of the guideline has been by literature review and a knowledge- capturing exercise, using both scientific and practical sources. It will be reviewed as new information becomes available.

Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science Pty Ltd, Carly’s Lagoon, Finucane Island National Park (2010).

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 7 8/05/13 9:08 AM Figure 1: Map of the Gulf Plains bioregion of Queensland.

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DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 8 8/05/13 9:08 AM Fire and climate in the Gulf Plains bioregion of Queensland Cool dry winters and hot wet summers with frequent cyclonic activity and prolonged rainfall characterise this bioregion. During the summer monsoon most of the region’s annual rainfall occurs. This sometimes results in severe prolonged flooding (e.g. 2009 floods), that have the potential to cause widespread loss of understory species and native fauna.

While the amount of rainfall varies between years, it generally decreases from north to south and east to west. Meaning there is significant variation in the issues facing land managers and in particular those using fire as a means of managing the landscape.

Planned burning in the Gulf Plains bioregion must remain flexible to allow for variation in the timing and length of wet seasons and the impact of extreme rainfall events. Staff must be vigilant in recognising opportunities to burn and capitalising on these opportunities. It is also important to be aware of conditions prior to and following planned burns.

Fire risk is linked to the occurrence of fire weather days or sequences of days (FDR very high+ / FDI 25+). In the Gulf Plains bioregion these days have an average temperature 35˚C, low humidity (18 per cent) and sustained winds > 17 km/hr (refer to Figure 2).

Further information can be found in the QPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go and on the Bureau of Meteorology website at .

Kowanyama Fire Danger Index (1972-2010) Normantin Fire Danger Index (1972-2010) FFDI 25+ (VH+) GFDI 25+ (VH+) FFDI 25+ (VH+) GFDI 25+ (VH+) 7 12

6 10

5 8

4 6 3 4 2 Average days per month Average days per month 2 1

0 0 Jan Feb MarApr MayJuneJulyAug Sept OctNov Dec Jan FebMar Apr May JuneJulyAug Sept OctNov Dec Month Month

Figure 2: Fire weather risk in the Gulf Plains bioregion. The likelihood of a fire weather day or sequence of days (FDI 25+) increases significantly from around August and persists for a few months until the start of the wet season. Data (Lucas 2010).

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x Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: How to use this guideline a 1. this simple exercise: you go about your work. To assist you inobserving theenvironment, undertake this guidelinesoit becomes partof your observation of theenvironment as that you manage (andthesurrounding landscape). Familiarise yourself with Step 2:Observethecountry. It is essential to regularly observethecountry 1999 andotherlegislative requirements). Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act issues are considered (e.g. zoning plan, threatened species, fire histories, strategy before completing your planned burn proposal to ensure all ecological the majority of issues in your area, it is essential you also review your fire and supports your local fire strategy. While theguidelineshould address Step 1:Know your local fire strategy. This planned burn guidelineworks with How to use this guideline or fire vegetation groups with a 3. or fire vegetation groups with a 2.

tree branch foliage dying? Is there epicormic regrowth onbranches? a) s theground-layer have adiversity of species oris it dominated d) e shrubs looking healthy and vigorous? Are there dying crowns onthe c) there abuild-up of dead anddecaying matter associated with grasses, esence of grasses andgrass clumps. Dothegrasses look healthy b) a) there evidence of fire? What is theprevalence andheight of blackened at are themid-layer trees (young canopy trees, wattles, casuarinasb) or a) e there rainforest, scrub orriparian ecosystems nearby? e there habitat trees (e.g. trees with hollows)? c) b) observe where relevant: shrubs andgrasses but not yet inthecanopy) observe thefollowing: following: F F If

understorey? by oneorafew juvenile tree species? Are weeds dominating the shrubs? shrubs, ferns orsedges? and vigorous? Are there well-formed grass clumps? bark? rainforest species)? How openordense is themid-layer? Are there any dead trees? Doe Ar Is The pr Is Wh Ar Ar Is canopy is present (e.g. for openforests andwoodlands) observethe ground-layer of grasses, sedges orshrubs, mid-layer (trees above theheight of 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 11 estate. Instructions can beobtained from the QPWS Fire Management System. as partof astructured photo-monitoring process at various locations within the shortfalls in your fire strategy, consider reviewing it. Step 9 can beimplemented or difficult to understand please seek advice. further If this process identifies to keep observing theland. If theresults of fire management are unexpected (such as weed control) are not resolved with asingle burn andit is important years aftertheoriginal burn—once again applying this guideline.Many issues area starting from Step 1).Return to theburn area afterone year andthenafew Step 9:Review your fire management issue (re-apply this guideline to the burn your fire report. objectives. This guidelineprovides information onhow to reporttheresults in in your burn proposal). This will indicate if you have achieved your planned burn undertake thepost-fire assessment recommended by this guideline(as defined Step 8:Review themeasurable objectives in your burn proposal. Afterafire, proposal objectives. this guidelinewill enable you to predict fire behaviour andachieve your burn How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go. Becoming familiar with thetools in Step 7:Is your burn ready to go? Refer to theQPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: have to adjust thewording. guideline andpaste them(ctrl+v)into theburn proposal. Note that you may into your burn proposals. Copy (ctrl+c)statements from aPDF version of this tactics andweather conditions sections of each chapter can becopied directly Step 6: Write aburn proposal. The management ranger orequivalent. If you findit difficult toidentify your objectives, contact your natural resource Do you needto develop objectives not already included inthese guidelines? the land. Do you needto adjust theobjectives sothey apply to your situation? objectives in your fire strategy). Choose oneormore objectives whilst observing measurable objectives to include in your burn proposals (beguidedalso by the Step 5:Choose measurable objectives. Each chapter of this guidelineprovides intended to guidebothland managers andapproval bodies. based onastandard QPWS planned burn proposal prioritisation framework for determining fire management priorities. The statements about priorities are Step 4:Consider your fire management priorities. Each chapter offers guidance proposal. more than oneissue—do not necessarily limit yourself to oneissue perburn apply to thearea you are observing. It is common for burn proposals to address Step 3:Read therelevant chapters of this guidelineanddecide which issues measurable objectives, fire behaviour, 8/05/13 9:08 AM xi Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: How to use this guideline DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 1

1 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities advantage over grasses. attributed to overgrazing of stock, allowing woody species to gain acompetitive bioregion (where fires are less frequent). IntheGulf Plains, thickening is often Thickening is thought to bemore prevalent inthedrier, southernareas of the not intense enoughto control emerging overabundant seedlings/saplings). burning and/orfires repeatedly applied too early intheseason (whenthey are to woody thickening. This process is attributed to along absence of planned Loss of openstructure through overabundant seedlings/saplings can lead perennials andhummock grasses (e.g. spinifex) dominate. Sarga spp. andannual tussock grasses. Fire frequency declines southas further with more frequent fires inthenorth-east inareas dominated by sorghum, There is agradient of typical fire frequency experienced across theGulf Plains, of diversity) andproducing anenormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions. be extensive, frequent andintense, resulting inecological impacts (such as loss wildfire. Intheabsence of proactive planned burning, late-season wildfires can continuity of fuels across thelandscape andmitigates impacts of late-season burns should continue intoseason. themid dry This approach breaks-up the to carry fire (andwhenfire self-extinguishes inthe early evening). Planned burning early season inthedry as soonas ground fuels are sufficiently cured achieved through aerial ignition. The key strategy is to commence planned necessitating abroad-scale approach to fire management, most efficiently This fire vegetation group occurs over extensive, ofteninaccessible areas Fire management issues fringing watercourses. microtheca with grasses andrushes onalluvial flats andother communities riparian communities supportingeucalypt spp. such as coolibah Eucalyptus is present. This fire vegetation group also includes spinifex grasslands and with rushes andsedges inwetter sites. Insomeareas adense shrublayer tussock (various species) orhummock grasses (spinifex) oramix of thetwo associated paperbarks Melaleuca spp. The ground layer is dominated by either and Corymbia spp. with scattered shrubs andsmall trees, sometimes with communities. The canopy is typically dominated by amix of Eucalyptus This fire vegetation group contains abroad range of open forest and woodland Chapter 1:Eucalypt communities spp. 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 2 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Issues: Finucane Island National Park, 161ha; Lawn Hill (Creek) Resources Reserve,135ha. Resources Reserve,215 ha; Blackbraes Resources Reserve,192ha; The Canyon, 186ha; Park, 429ha; Lawn Hill Creek) (Arthur Resources Reserve,355ha; Lawn Hill (Gorge Mouth) Park, 1851ha; White Mountains National Park, 980 ha; Mutton Hole Wetlands Conservation Park, 4966ha; Porcupine Gorge National Park, 2350ha; Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, 16508ha; Lawn Hill (Widdallion) Resources Reserve,8210ha; Blackbraes National Land), 30030ha; Gilbert River Proposed newNational Park, 20201ha; Bulleringa National National Park, 50351ha; Errk Oykangand National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Examples of this FVG: Staaten River National Park, 252114ha; Rungulla Proposed new to Appendix 1for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 10007486hectares (ha), 45percent;Regional ecosystems: Refer

Manage highbiomass invasive grasses. Reduce woody weeds. Reduce overabundant saplings. Maintain healthy shrubby orspinifex dominated communities. Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities. 8/05/13 9:08 AM

2 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 3 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 3 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities • • • • Key indicators of healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities: Awareness of theenvironment communities. Use broad-scale mosaic burning to maintain alandscape of healthy eucalypt eucalypt communities Issue 1:Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated • •

and rushes. In riparian eucalypt communities, grasses may beinterspersed with sedges are more apparent during thewet season. A diversity of herbs andforbs are found between thegrass tussocks. They Tussock grasses dominate theunderstorey andare vigorous andupright. extensive enoughto produce shading impacts. the understorey (enoughto eventually replace thecanopy) but are not or Corymbia spp. trees. Some young canopy species are present in Eucalypt communities have a very opencanopy of Eucalyptus Mistletoe is present but not common. Eucalyptus are not sofrequent that they are beginning to shade out theground layer. Excoecaria parvifolia orotherspecies, appear as scattered individuals and currant bush Carissa lanceolata, quininePetalostigma spp., gutta percha spp., Acacia spp., spp. and/orMelaleuca spp. andinsomeareas National Park (2004). Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River canopy). eventually replace the young trees (enoughto seedlings/saplings and setosa bloodwood Corymbia bastard asthis such mature canopy trees should have amix of Healthy openwoodlands interspersed with spp. and/ 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 4 Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2004). the ecosystem. Their mounds provide nest sites for this parrot species. Termites are major detritivores, eating decaying plant matter andreturning thenutrients to grassy woodland. This woodland is habitat for theendangered golden-shouldered parrot. A healthy cover of green grasses interspersed with herbs andforbs can beasign of healthy Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2004). provide habitat for golden-shouldered parrots andblack-throated finches. Grassy eucalypt communities should beopenandeasy to walk through. These areas 8/05/13 9:08 AM

4 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 5 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 5 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities In someareas grasses are naturally sparse (such as ontop of escarpments). Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Monitoring site. Bulleringa National Park (2007). quinine Petalostigma banksiiis oftennaturally abundant inthemidlayer. management, but is aresult of soil andlandscape characteristics. Smooth-leaved Be aware that theabundance of somesmall tree species is not related to fire QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2010). 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 6 John Thompson, Queensland Herbarium. during thewet season. plants can beanindicator of theneedto apply fire. Theirpresence will bemore obvious Many herbs andforbs are more common following fire. Anabsence of these types of Ipomoea Lobelia Bergia spp. spp. spp. Calandrinia Flemingia Cleome spp. spp. spp. 8/05/13 9:08 AM

6 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 7 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 7 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities • • • • • communities with atussock grass understory: The following may indicate that fire is required to maintain eucalypt Lana Little, QPWS, Dunbar Station (2011). fire severity and extent. with heavy fuel loads such as this under mild conditions/or highsoil moisture to reduce need to apply fire, as shown during this November storm burn. Consider burning anarea Dense stands of rank orstand-over grasses can beagood indicator of the immediate

becoming frequent.Mistletoes are present onlower level branches. cherries (Santalaceae family) anddodder-laurel vines Cassytha spp. Mistletoes (Loranthaceae family) andotherparasitic plants such as native season. are infrequent orabsent. These species may benaturally absent inthedry There is alack of wet season diversity intheground layer; forbs and herbs ground layer. other species are becoming more than scattered orare emerging above the Species such as Eucalyptus not consumed inprevious burning cycles) grasses. There is abuild-up of rank orstand-over (grass with significant dead material continuous). to allow thepassage of fire (insomeareas grasses are naturally less formed grass clumps are present. Grasses are more orless continuous An accumulation of dead material intussocks, collapsing grass andpoorly spp., Acacia spp., spp., currant bush Carissa spp. or 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 8 Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Near Normanton (2011). fires to beeffective. Spelling pasture prior to planned burns may benecessary. younger trees are much more susceptible to fire. However fuels need to be sufficient for Early stage thickening of eucalypts andCooktown ironwood is much easier to manage as Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). unmanaged will shade out grasses. ironwood Erythrophleum chlorostachys has thickened inthemid-stratum andif left Woody thickening can occur where fires have beenabsent orinfrequent. This Cooktown 8/05/13 9:09 AM

8 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 9 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 9 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities Sometimes quinineappears to have thickened below thecanopy. However, inmany Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2004). landscape characteristics than fire management. Gulfthe northern Plains; this is anatural phenomenonandmore likely aresult of soil and Darwin stringy bark Eucalyptus tetrodonta is thick beneath the canopy insomeareas of Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). locations it naturally occurs this way within themidstratum/lower tree layer. 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 10 • • • Discussion • •

(refer to Chapter 6: Vine thickets). adapted communities will assist inpreventing late season wildfire incursion planned burning resulting inanestablished mosaic insurrounding fire however late-season fires may intocarry these areas onoccasion. Proactive soils. These areas will not burn under most planned burning conditions; within eucalypt communities. They oftenoccur on very low rises with sandy Very small patches of scrub with deciduous softwoodspecies may bepresent nectivores andgranivores. fire (12months), but declined inthelonger term (four years), especially for found that bird abundance dramatically increased inburnt sites soonafter for many species of birds ineucalypt communities. Valentine et (2007) al. Variation inburn season inter-fire andshort intervals promote better habitat appear too green to burn will burn severely (and vice versa). should beused andlocal knowledge sought as somegrass species that still assist indetermining whengrasses are ready to burn. However, caution cent cured. AustralianThe North Grassland Fuel Guide(Johnson 2001)may Grasses are generally considered ready to burn whenthey reach 50–60per insufficient to mitigate therun of ahot firedry late inthe season. ecological impacts whenearly season burning has not occurred orhas been lightning strikes are partof thenatural system, they have considerable wet season are frequent (oneto two years) andextensive. While fires from Wildfires resulting from dry storms late season inthedry orinthe early each property, each year. ignition. Ideally, this would include at least three different ignitionperiods on communities intheGulf Plains is broad-scale management through aerial A key strategy to manage the vast expanses of inaccessible eucalypt 8/05/13 9:09 AM

10 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 11 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 11 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities • • • What is thepriority for this issue?

Very high Priority Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. refer to Chapter 8for fire management guidelines. smothers vegetation forming impenetrable thickets. If weeds are anissue, loads and contribute to high severity fires resulting in tree death. Rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora. Buffel andotherinvasive grasses can increase fuel Pennisetum grass ciliare buffel andweeds of suchinvasion as rubber vine A key issue within sometussock grass eucalypt communities is the is Vulnerable under theCommonwealth Endangered under theQueensland Nature Conservation Act 1992and as thegoshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus. The red goshawk is considered High severity orfrequent fires may have flow-on effects to wildlife such Riparian areas with Eucalypt communities mitigates theimpacts of unplanned fire. fire. Maintaining a landscape mosaic inthe surrounding fire-adapted Ficus river she-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, palms (e.g. Livistona spp.), figs such as river red gumEucalyptus camaldulensis, Melaleuca spp.Pandanus, in association with thesurrounding landscape. Where they occur, species them. Inotherareas, where there is agrassy layer present they oftenburn because of alack of ground layer fuels orhumidmicro-climates within sensitive species. Inmost cases these communities will not burn readily Most eucalypt dominated riparian andfringing communities retain fire- High spp. andsome vine thicket species health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation spp., provide habitat for arange of species. Priority assessment

Environment Protection and

are

threatened by too frequent 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 12 severity andfrequency of fires inriparian areas. important habitat for arange of fauna. Care should betaken to minimise theextent, B. Douglas, Gilbert River area (2011). Eucalypt spp. are oftenco-dominant canopy species of riparian communities andprovide Vale(1998). Station John Augusteyn, QPWS, Violet and hunting. very tall trees for nesting goshawk which requires critical habitat for thered Riparian areas are 8/05/13 9:09 AM

12 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 13 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 13 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities Select at least two of thefollowing as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes reduced. < 2mare saplings overabundant > 75%of infrastructure. resources or cultural natural/ wildfire to subsequent impact by prevented burning has planned Proactive demonstrated. burning Progressive Measurable Measurable objectives components) reduced. overabundant saplings (above ground transects, estimate thepercentage of Select several sites orwalk several basis. burns against wildfire onanannual (e.g. NAFI),estimate area of planned Using fire scar remote sensing data that mark early ignitionlocations. sensing with points collected onGPS it may benecessary to combine remote early burns may not be visible onNAFI, month, onanannual basis. Note that estimate burnt andunburnt country by Using fire scar remote sensing data, How to beassessed Not Achieved: <25%. 25–75%. Partially Achieved: Achieved: >75%. impact. has asignificant Not Achieved: Wildfire wildfire. prevents impacts of area of planned burn Achieved: Annual burning has occurred. Not Achieved: No achieved. One to two burns Partially Achieved: season. burns through the series of progressive sensing shows a Achieved: Remote How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 14 future fire planning. Australian Fire Information (NAFI)system orothermeans, is useful to guide Mapping andassessment of fire history through fire scars from theNorth Neldner et 2005). al. Queensland Herbarium CORVEG sites could beused orestablished (refer to bioregion andare designed to assess long-term changes in vegetation health. A numberof Sav-Mon (savannah monitoring) sites are established across the ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2000). rocky outcrops are useful barriers to fire movement. Under suitable planned burn conditions, some natural barriers such as creeks, rivers and 8/05/13 9:09 AM

14 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 15 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 15 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Moderate

severity and thehigherendinfire-adapted riparian communities. one andfive years aiming for thelower range of this interval inmost areas the maximum timeframe). Consider abroad fire interval range of between to create varying stages of post-fire response (i.e. recently burnt through to Apply mosaic planned burns across thelandscape at arange of frequencies Riparian areas: Low severity fires. Tussock grass eucalypt communities: Low moderate to , with occasional high class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L)

100–500 intensity 500–10 (kWm < 100 (during thefire) 000 Fire Fire intensity -1 )

to moderate to . Average 0.5–1.5 1.5–4.0 height flame < 0.5 (m)

Complete Average 2.0–5.0 canopy height scorch scorch scorch < 2.0 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) canopy scorch. of elevated fuels. Little orno have burnt. Some scorching surface andnear surface fuels Some patchiness, most of the scorched. All upper storey canopy leaves leaves scorched orcharred. by fire. All mid storey canopy All ground material affected partly scorched. Upper canopy leaves may be storey canopy leaves scorched. fuels burnt.All ormost of mid- All surface andnear surface (loss of biomass) Description 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 16 Other considerations • • • • Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) This photo was taken inJune 2009. QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2009). is ahigh level of patchiness. An early season dry burn ingrassy eucalypt communities is ideal if thedesired outcome

Bulleringa National Park, andmay impedeearly burning attempts. The exotic plant Hyptis suaveolen is oftenpresent inriparian areas on be can beenhanced as breaks by nearby early season proactive burning. as they provide areas which can act as natural fire-breaks. These areas can An extensive network of river systems form akey partof mitigating wildfires A mosaic is generally achieved with 30–70%burnt within thetarget area. burn sufficient area to impede later burns or wildfires. acceptable to completely burn all of anarea andconversely it is important to and will needto beassessed onacase by case basis. However, it is not Most fires should be patchy; however this will vary with burn location 8/05/13 9:09 AM

16 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 17 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 17 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities fire. This helps in restoring ground cover andpreventing erosion issues. vegetation (allowing quick recovery) andpromotes seedling germination post- Soil moisture: Goodsoil moisture assists inprotecting underground portions of Wind speed: <23km/hr DI (KBDI):80–100 GFDI: <18 • • • Grassy eucalypt communities Season: burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? •

management guidelines). seedlings/saplings are anissue (refer to Chapter 8,Issue 3for fire Repeated early season burns are not recommended where overabundant extent andseverity of wildfire. that early season burning has beenconducted inaway that mitigates the a natural feature of these systems andare not usually aproblem provided for anumberof years. Higherseverity fires caused by lightning strike are also Occasional storm burns may berequired where hot fires have beenabsent burn inthelate season. dry seasonthe middry until fires intocarry thenight but not overnight. Donot fire will extinguish intheevening. Continue planned burning through until Soon after thewet season whenit is enoughto dry carry afire (just) but the riparian areas andsurrounding fire-adapted communities. movement providing sufficient early season burns have occurred both within wildfires later intheseason. These areas can be used as barriers to fire In someriparian areas wet season burning can reduce fuels andprevent 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 18 Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2005). severity, as indicated by this burn inDecember. Storm burning intheearly wet season can assist inproducing fires of limited extent and (1991). Consultant PtyLtd, Namarrong PeterEnvironmental Stanton, season. applied too early inthe long absent orfrequently grasslands if fire has been open woodlands and expand into adjacent Cooktown ironwood can 8/05/13 9:09 AM

18 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 19 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 19 Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities • issue. this in assist may that tactics suggested objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive; rather it is atoolkit of burn, tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve burn at thesame site (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during theplanned Tactics will besite specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

and to program thepath into aGPS for use inflight. an aerial incendiary path using maps, satellite images oraerial photographs them from impacts of late dry-season wildfires. It is good practice to plot out thickets andacacia communities) creating areas of reduced fuel protecting opportunity to burn away from non-target communities (e.g. springs, vine prevent fire from carrying as far as intended. Aerial ignition also provides an burnt areas to contain fires. Also, note that these natural features may may besufficient moisture), areas of sparse or uncured fuel orpreviously natural features such as rivers andstreams (even if there is nowater, there spread is theCSIRO Grassland Fire Spread MeterAustralia. for Northern Use extinguishing inevening conditions. Auseful tool to determine therate of would bedetermined by how far thefire is required to travel before self- morning orafternoondepending onthedesired outcome. Ignitiontiming achieved through aerial ignition.Early dry-season fires can belit ineither due to thesize andinaccessibility of eucalypt communities. This is mostly Aerial ignition.Alandscape approach to fire management is necessary burnt/unburnt areas, andseasonal variability to support habitat diversity. patchiness andfauna refuges andhelpcreate arich mosaic of severities, storm burning) orto provide barriers to wildfire movement. They also create provide opportunistic barriers to fire to support burning later inthe year (e.g. of ignitionshould occur ineach park ineach year. These burnt areas can burning thencontinues into season. themiddry Ideally multiple periods cured sufficiently to fire,carry withnumerous small ignitions. Progressive Plains, ignitioncan begin soonafterthe wet season as soonas fuel has carried out throughout as much of the year as conditions allow. IntheGulf Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning where ignitionis ignitions creating separate fires. patchy fire is the objective thenit is better to use successive single point very widely spaced ignitionpoints creating separate fires. If creation of a burn (anumberof ignitionpoints at thesame location may berequired) or fire front. Often, this may mean lighting only at a single location for anentire Single point ignitionis used to create afire of limited extent with alimited mosaic. can beused. The spacing of thespots affects theresulting intensity and desired mosaic of burnt andunburnt areas. Anumberof patterns of lighting Spot ignitionis used to alter thedesired intensity of afire and create the 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 20 • • • Nick Smith, QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2012). impeding wildfires later intheseason andmeeting other conservation outcomes. spaced incendiaries. Intheright conditions, techniques such as this will assist in Targeting rank orstandover-grasses through broad-scale aerial ignitionwith widely •

fuels. But avoid using this approach repeatedly along tracks orroads. longer it may benecessary to create alineof fire to firecarry through uncured Line ignition.Inopenwoodland communities where soils retain moisture for others species must bescorched to theirtip—seek advice). species can bekilled with lower severity fire with ahigh residence time; the amount of fuel available andalso ontheoverabundant species (some or overabundant seedlings/saplings. The best methodis dependent on moving andincreases residence time,is also useful to reduce woody weeds overabundant seedlings/sapling. Alow intensity backing fire, which is slow A running fire of ahigherintensity, lit with thewind can helpreduce later inthe year. will oftenself-extinguish early intheseason but may carry through thenight and temperature andwinds decrease) meaning fires become less severe and patterns can beutilised (e.g. after2pm,relative humidity tends to increase Use periods of declining fire hazard sothat fires are more controllable. Daily fires. having established areas of lower fuel sufficient to impedethe passage of burns relies onimpending rain, natural breaks, orearlier season burning when there is ahighprobability of rain afterburning. Containment of storm Storm burning. Burns undertaken inthestorm season afterfirst storms and 8/05/13 9:09 AM

20 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy tussock grass dominated eucalypt communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 21 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 21 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities • • Key indicators of healthy spinifex orshrubby communities: Awareness of theenvironment and severe wildfires. continuous fuel over large areas, to create patchy fires and to mitigate extensive (when hummocks begin to join-up). Apply fire before thehummocks form Spinifex is very flammable, but can take along time to form continuous fuel dominated ground layer. grasslands as well as eucalypt communities with aspinifex orshrubby This issue applies to themanagement of spinifex Triodia spp. dominated communities Issue 2:Maintain healthy shrubby orspinifex dominated • • • •

emergents. In spinifex grasslands, trees may beabsent orpresent as scattered eventually replace thecanopy). spp. Some young canopy trees are present intheunderstorey (enoughto These areas may have anopencanopy of Eucalyptus Eucalyptus Shrubby communities are naturally very diverse, often with anumberof ground stratum. They are generally found onscarps andplateaux. dense to dense layer of shrubs with sparse spinifex or tussock grasses inthe Shrubby eucalypt communities (which occur insome areas) may have amid- grasses between spinifex hummocks. In thefirst few years afterfire there is adiversity of herbs, forbs andannual a build-up of dead anddying material should remain. grasses andforbs. Amosaic of longer unburnt areas containing spinifex with more recently burnt areas have spinifex interspersed with occasional tussock Spinifex shows a variation intime-since-fire across the landscape. Some with anumberof species of shrubs such as Grevillea spp. orJacksonia spp. spp., Melaleuca spp., spp., orAcacia spp. dominating andinterspersed spp. orCorymbia 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 22 layer of spinifex. Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2009). quinine tree Petalostigma banksii. communities including those dominated by Darwinstringybark E.tetrodonta A mixture of hummock (spinifex) andtussock grasses may bepresent insome John Neldner, Queensland Herbarium, south-west Nardoo Homestead (1999). Healthy silver leaf box Eucalyptus pruinosa low openwoodland with aground and 8/05/13 9:09 AM

22 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 23 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 23 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities In spinifex areas, herbs andforbs flourish inthe year following fire. Withtime-since-fire, Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, Near Tallawanta homestead (2006). Ground fuels can be naturally sparse insomespinifex communities. Justine Douglas, QPWS, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (2012). spinifex will once again dominate. 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 24 QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2009). ground cover. Some shrubby communities are more openwith amore continuous anddiverse Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). Observe theshrubs for evidence of accumulated seeding bodies (such as cones orpods). number of times before thenext planned burn (this usually takes more than seven years). yellow flowering Jacksonia ramosissima should beallowed to flower andset seeda A shrubby woodland. Inshrubby areas, obligate seeders (fire-killed shrubs) such as 8/05/13 9:09 AM

24 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 25 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 25 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities burnt. Ensure hummocks have seededandare large andmature prior to burning. • • • • • • • communities with aspinifex orshrubby understory: The following may indicate that fire is required to maintain eucalypt Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2009). This feathertop spinifex •

fire have had several years of seedproduction, orare beginning to die. Wattles, Grevillea spp. andJacksonia spp. which germinated afteraprevious branches. Lower leaves are browning andthere is a build-up of dead leaves. declining inhealth andhighproportions have dead ordying crowns or In shrubby dominated areas, thecrowns andbranches of shrubs are are absent (as seeds have dropped to theground). Evidence of recent seeding such as presence of old seedstalks where seeds between spinifex hummocks. Diversity of theground layer has decreased. Herbs andforbs are absent Parts of thespinifex hummock are grey anddry. burning. straight line,thefuel load has become quite highandcare is required when When spinifex clumps are big enoughthat it becomes difficult to walk ina that fires will insomeareas.carry Spinifex clumps are big enoughthat somehave joined oralmost joined so Cassytha spp. may begin to smothershrubs andground layer plants. In shrubby eucalypt communities with aspinifex ground layer, some Triodia bitextura has seeded anumberof times andis ready to be 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 26 John Neldner, Queensland Herbarium, South of Normanton (1999). wet season burning could be used to minimise fire severity and extent. indicator of the needto apply fire. Where fuel has become more continuous like this, When spinifex hummocks have become so large that they join oralmost join it is an Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, Neumayer Valley Station (2006). the needto apply fire. Sometimes thehummocks collapse inthe centre. As spinifex ages thehummocks begin to accumulate grey, material; dry anindication of 8/05/13 9:09 AM

26 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 27 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 27 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities Although it takes several years for shrubs to mature andset seed,shrubdiversity begins • • • Discussion Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2009). indicates that fire is required. to decline after very long fire intervals. The build-up of lower level dead-leaves onshrubs

reduce this temporary acacia dominance. over time.It is not necessary to target these areas for burning inorder to After fire someacacias will naturally form dense thickets that will thinout reducing thecontinuity of fuels required for fire management. their diversity (thecattle prefer soft forbs andspinifex seed heads) andby Grazing can impact onthehealth of spinifex communities by reducing hummocks join together to create patchy fires. usually within thefollowing two years. Fire should beapplied before the consequent increase infuel). This can result insevere, extensive wildfires, succession of wet years can provide aboost to thegrowth of spinifex (and wet year (summer rain is better for spinifex growth than winter rain) or decreases, allowing fire to travel more readily across the landscape. A very fire. Inthe years afterfire, the distance between hummocks gradually Spinifex tends to continue to increase insize andfuel load with time-since- 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 28 • • • What is thepriority for this issue? •

Very high Priority woody species. seedling establishment andgive acompetitive advantage to weeds and Burning without soil moisture will oftenkill spinifex hummocks orslow moisture also promotes rapid post-fire spinifex seedling establishment. in thedeath of sub-soil grass bases/roots andslow post-fire recovery. Soil Fires which are too severe andoccur without sufficient soil moisture result fire. Thenumberof species present tends to decline with time-since-fire. diversity of re-sprouting perennials, annuals andephemeral forbs soonafter Recently burnt spinifex andshrubby eucalypt communities tend to have a same timecreate areas that remain longer unburnt. season,dry is thebest way to mitigate against extensive wildfire andat the Therefore, implementing small patchy burns, inthelate wet season to early (to allow seedproduction by shrubs) creates arisk of extensive wildfires. killed shrubs to persist. But leaving large areas unburnt for six years ormore to seedproduction. Some areas should beleft long enoughto allow fire- Several fire-killed shrubs (e.g. wattles) require five years from germination rains of thewet season (usually around April). still wet from rain, will burn intensively afterafew months following thelast that because it is green it is safe to burn. Spinifex, while still green oreven spinifex can remain green throughout the year andit should not beassumed or very soonafterto take advantage of fuel andsoil moisture. Be aware that To achieve apatchy burn inspinifex, burns needto occur inthewet season High health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:09 AM

28 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 29 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 29 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities Select at least two of thefollowing as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes infrastructure. resources or cultural natural/ wildfire to subsequent impact by prevented burning has planned Proactive demonstrated. burning Progressive Measurable Measurable objectives wildfire onanannual basis. estimate area of planned burns against Using fire scar remote sensing data, sensing with points collected onGPS. it may benecessary to combine remote early burns may not be visible onNAFI month, onanannual basis. Note that estimate burnt andunburnt country by Using fire scar remote sensing data, How to beassessed impact. has had significant Not Achieved: Wildfire wildfire. prevents impact by area planned burnt Achieved: Annual burning has occurred. Not Achieved: No achieved. One to two burns Partially Achieved: season. burns through the series of progressive sensing shows a Achieved: Remote How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 30 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned means is useful to guidefuture fire planning. Mapping andassessment of fire history through fire scars from NAFIorother Neldner et 2005). al. Queensland Herbarium CORVEG sites could beused orestablished (refer to bioregion andare designed to assess long-term changes in vegetation health. A numberof Sav-Mon (savannah monitoring) sites are established across the ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time area. over theburn promoted spp.) Acaciaspp., (e.g. Jacksonia seeders of obligate Recruitment communities. in spinifex patchy burn fine-scaled Create a more vantage points orfrom theair. remain—visually assess from oneor the burn footprint more mature shrubs ground layer. Within unburnt areas of of fire-killed shrubs can beseeninthe 6–12 months aftertheburn, seedlings b. a. Choose oneof these options:

determine therange of patch sizes. with GPS, plot onGIS andthereby Map theboundaries of burnt areas using landmarks as a‘size’ guide. vantage points,orfrom theair, vegetation burnt—from oneormore Visual estimation of percentage of across theburn area. of asingle age/height killed shrubs are all Not Achieved: Fire- across theburn area. maturity of stages at variousheights/ shrubs are present Achieved: Fire-killed burn area. unburnt within the hummocks remain than 25%of spinifex than 75%orless Not Achieved: More the burn area. remain unburnt within of spinifex hummocks Achieved: 25–75% 8/05/13 9:09 AM

30 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 31 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 31 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities Very openwoodland with alow spinifex ground layer, recently burnt. Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). on sandstone. Patchiness is enhanced by thebroken, rocky ground inthis eucalypt community Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 32 • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity interval. dominated areas. Mosaic burning will helpretain areas of longer inter-fire two to seven years. Leave amosaic of areas longer, including shrubby the maximum timeframe). Consider abroad fire interval range of between to create varying stages of post-fire response (i.e. recently burnt through to Apply mosaic planned burns across thelandscape at arange of frequencies patchiness andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily bedetermined through on-ground areas. Spinifex communities may naturally burn with ahigherseverity insome Low class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L) to moderate to .

intensity (kWm > 4500 1500– 100– 4500 1500 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 2.0–4.0 0.5–2.0 height flame > 4.0 (m)

extensive. Average 2.0–5.0 Canopy canopy height scorch scorch scorch scorch will be be will Some occur may may (m) Fire severity (post-fire) Stubble burnt to ash. Ground burnt completely. Stubble burnt to ash. Ground burnt completely. blackened remnants. fuels burnt. Stubble burnt to All surface andnear surface (loss of biomass) Description 8/05/13 9:09 AM

32 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 33 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 33 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities Other considerations: Wind speed: <23km/hr DI (KBDI):80–120 GFDI: <18 Season: burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) • • •

landscape. are also factors indetermining how effectively aburn will carry across the wet andis not reliant uponcomplete curing to carry afire. Moisture and wind Spinifex has highresin content andis extremely volatile. It can burn when after thewet season andby using afternoonignition. level of mosaic can beachieved by ignitionof spinifex during, or very soon within somelong-unburnt country dueto contiguous spinifex fuel.Agreater Fires should be as patchy as possible, however this will be difficult to achieve when there is ahighprobability of follow uprain. Storm burning. Burns undertaken inthestorm season afterthefirst storms storm season. high temperatures. These conditions tend to occur just before thestart of the Avoid burning duringconditions dry , with humidity less than 30percent and acceptable inshrubby areas. Wet season early to season dry for spinifex. Slightly later burns may be 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 34 June burn. fire, as shown by this achieving apatchy in assist may which ignition is onetactic Early afternoon the ground stratum. promotes diversity in habitat features and Patchy fire retains (1991). Bulleringa Holding PtyLtd Pty Ltd, Near Reid River, Environmental Consultant Peter Stanton, stenostachya. and Melaleuca minutifolia, terminalis, Melaleuca woodland Eucalyptus Shrubby low (2009). Bulleringa National Park Mike Ahmet,QPWS, photo taken inJune. stubble shown inthis recently burnt spinifex recovering spinifex and production. Note the several years of seed extensive fires before repeatedly applying following fire. Avoid two to three years does not seedfor Feathertop spinifex Park (2009). Ltd, Bulleringa National Management SciencePty PaulWilliams, Vegetation 8/05/13 9:09 AM

34 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 35 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 35 Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities • issue. this in assist may that tactics suggested objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive; rather it is atoolkit of burn, tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve burn at thesame site (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during theplanned Tactics will besite specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

into aGPS for use inflight. using maps, satellite images oraerial photographs andto program thepath season wildfires. It is good practice to plot out anaerial incendiary path creating areas of reduced fuel protecting themfrom impacts of late dry- non-target communities (e.g. springs, vine thickets andacacia communities) intended. Aerial ignitionalso provides anopportunity to burn away from note that these natural features may prevent fire from carrying as far as which are sparse oruncured orpreviously burnt areas to contain fires. Also there is nowater, there may besufficient moisture), areas of tussock grasses evening conditions. Use natural features such as rivers andstreams (even if determine how far thefire travels before self-extinguishing under milder or afternoondepending onthedesired outcome. Ignitiontiming will communities. Wet-season to early dry-season fires can belit inthemorning in theGulf Plains dueto thesize andinaccessibility of someeucalypt Aerial ignition.Broad-scale fire management using aerial ignitionisuseful risk of large scale fires late season. inthedry of severities, burnt/unburnt areas, andseasonal variability andreduces the occur ineach park ineach year. Progressive burning helps to create amosaic creating alandscape mosaic. Ideally multiple periods of ignitionshould through thewet season into theearly season, dry with numerous small fires as conditions allow. Ignitioncan begin inthestorm season andcontinue Progressive burning. Planned burning is carried out throughout the year very widely spaced ignitionpoints creating separate fires. burn (anumberof ignitionpoints at thesame location may berequired) or fire front. Often, this may mean lighting only a single location for anentire Single point ignitionis used to create afire of limited extent with alimited patchiness. drip torch ormatches. Well spaced ignitionspots can create agreater level of resulting intensity andmosaic. Individual hummocks can beignited using a hummocks to create patchiness. The spacing of thespots affects the Spot ignitionis used inspinifex communities with non-continuous 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 36 • • • •

areas where fuel is discontinuous. Line ignition.Inspinifex understories lineignitioncan helpfire throughcarry through discontinuous fuel. A running fire of ahigherintensity, lit with thewind can helpcarry fire will oftenself extinguish early intheseason. and temperature andwinds decrease) meaning fires become less severe and patterns can beutilised (e.g. after2pm,relative humidity tends to increase Use periods of declining fire hazard, sothat fires are more controllable. Daily later fires. which has established areas of lower fuel sufficient to impedethe passage of burns relies onimpending rain, natural breaks, orearlier-season burning when there is ahighprobability of follow uprain. Containment of storm Storm burning. Burns undertaken inthestorm season afterthefirst storms 8/05/13 9:09 AM

36 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy shrubby or spinifex dominated communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 37 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 37 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 3),for fire management guidelines. competition andshading. lead to woody thickening; reducing thehealth of theground layer through Overabundance of acacias, eucalypts orothernative shrubs andtrees may Issue 3:Reduce overabundant saplings 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 38 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. and eradication has beenachieved insomeareas using fire alone. bioregion inmoderate to very dense infestations. Rubber vine is fire-sensitive Rubber vine Issue 4:Reduce woody weeds Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). extent of rubber vine infestation. Fire can assist inmanaging this issue. Ghost gumwoodlands are considered ‘of concern’, not because of clearing, but rather the Cryptostegia grandiflora is presently found throughout the 8/05/13 9:09 AM

38 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 39 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 1­—Eucalypt communities 39 Issue 5: Manage high biomass invasive grasses Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 5),for fire management guidelines. control. leading to impacts onecosystems. Insomecases, fire can be used as ofpart High biomass grasses can bepromoted by fire, andincrease theseverity of fire Issue 5:Manage highbiomass invasive grasses 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 40 • [Issue 2]:Maintain healthy shrubby orspinifex dominated communities). grasslands are mapped with adjoining Eucalypt communities (refer to Chapter 1 diversity is added by forbs, sedges andannual grasses. Spinifex Triodia spp. species are influenced by rainfall andsoil type(andother factors). Significant trees orshrubs. Grasslands vary across thebioregion anddominant grass Grasslands andsedgelands are openandtreeless orcontain only scattered Chapter 2:Grasslands andsedgelands across thelandscape. planned burning early season, inthedry to break upthecontinuity of fuels impacts andproduce anenormous amount of greenhouse gas. Commence can beextensive, frequent andintense. Wildfires can also result inecological Broad-scale planned burning is thekey to preventing late season wildfires that thereby giving woody species acompetitive advantage. spelling apasture afterfire, allowing cattle access to the‘green pick’ and seedlings/saplings). This issue can becompounded by overgrazing ornot applied too early intheseason (creating fires of insufficient severity to scorch thickening occurs where fire has beenlong absent, infrequent or repeatedly issue insomeareas. Overabundant seedlings/saplings, leading to woody Retaining opengrasslands by preventing invasion by trees andshrubs is an Fire management issues •

vegetation not usually threatened by fire. group also includes seasonal andpermanent wetlands with sparse Eragrostis aslovegrasses such Ectrosia spp., grasses spp. This fire regime also contain Australian wild rice Oryza australiensis andotheroccasional seasonal orpermanent swamps, wetlands andlagoons. Sedgelands may Spike rushes Eleocharis spp. andsedges Cyperus spp. are present on and wiregrasses are present. dominating are wiregrasses Aristida spp. Onsandy soils Schizachyrium spp. Chrysopogon fallax andSarga plumosum. Also present thoughrarely Dichanthium spp.,bluegrass silky browntop Eulalia aurea, Astrebla spp. Australian wild rice Oryza australiensis, Flinders grasses Iseilema spp., On floodplains, drainage lines andloamy plains, common species include 8/05/13 9:09 AM 40 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 41

41 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 1. Issues: Vachellia farnesiana is widespread ingrasslands insomeareas. bioregion. Insomecases they are able to bemanaged with fire. Prickly mimosa species such as rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora are widespread inthe Woody weeds such as parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata andsmothering should bealertto newinfestations. mutica andgrader grass Themeda quadrivalvis are emerging weeds andstaff Cenchrus ciliarisis anestablished problem insomeareas. Para grass Urochloa dramatically increase fire severity, andfire can promote them. Buffel grass Be aware of thepresence of invasive andhigh-biomass grasses as they not required. with fringing woodland/sedgelands rarely burn andactive fire management is far less oftendueto thepresence of moisture. Permanent lakes andlagoons allowed to burn inassociation with thesurrounding landscape but tend to burn Sedgelands intheGulf Plains are not actively targeted with fire. They are 5. 4. 3. 2. Park, 12ha; Lawn Hill (Gregory River Base) Resources Reserve,5ha. 112 ha; Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, 52ha; Rungulla Proposed newNational Land), 682ha; Lawn Hill (Gregory) Resources Reserve,383ha; Staaten River National Park, National Park, 1196ha; Errk Oykangand National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Examples of this Mutton Hole FVG: Wetlands Conservation Park, 1614ha; Finucane Island 1 for complete list. Extent within bioregion:

Manage high-biomass grasses. Reduce woody weeds. Reduce overabundant saplings. Maintain healthy spinifex grasslands. Maintain healthy grasslands andsedgelands. 4 395268ha, 20percent; Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 42 • • Key indicators of healthy fire-adapted grassland: Awareness of theenvironment prevent extensive wildfires. Use fire to maintain opengrasslands andsedgelands, to promote diversity and Issue 1:Maintain healthy grasslands andsedgelands Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, southof Armraynald Homestead (2007). this may indicate fire is needed. When shrubs andtrees are more than scattered orare emerging above thegrass layer, A healthy opengrassland community. Note scattered trees along aseasonal watercourse.

scattered trees orshrubs. Grasslands andsedgelands are treeless andshrubless orcontain only and forbs are present. A diversity of grasses (including bothannuals andperennials) and/orsedges 8/05/13 9:09 AM

42 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 43 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 43 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands Forbs, herbs and mixed grasses should be present but perennial grasses should dominate. Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). fire is unlikely to (Williamscarry andGreig 2010). will have beenreduced to subsoil bulbs by themiddle of season— thedry inwhich case Seasonal sedgelands require occasional fires to maintain diversity. Many wetland plants Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, east of theBurke Development Road (2006). 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 44 Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Carly’s Lagoon, Finucane Island National Park (2010). woody weeds such as rubber vine. may bepresent ontheirmargins. Sedgelands such as this oneare prone to invasion of Healthy sedgelands are generally opencommunities. However scattered trees andshrubs Paul Williams, Vegetation Science PtyLtd, Carly’s Lagoon, Finucane Island (2010). may burn inassociation with surrounding communities, during late dry-season fires. Sedgelands may surround permanent lagoons andwhile not actively targeted with fire 8/05/13 9:09 AM

44 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 45 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 45 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands • • • • • • • grasslands orsedgelands: The following may indicate that fire is required to maintain fire adapted

Rubber vine is smothering sedges within sedgelands. Sedges have become andmatted. dry to become common andsaplings are becoming visible above thegrasses. Weeds such as parkinsonia, rubber vine orprickly mimosa may have started emerging above theground layer. Excoecaria parvifolia orotherspecies are becoming more frequent or currant bush Carissa lanceolata, quinine Petalostigma spp., gutta percha Eucalyptus spp., Acacia spp. and/orMelaleuca spp. andinsomeareas Seed heads of a variety of different grasses andherbs are visible. not consumed inprevious burning cycles) grasses. There is abuild-up of rank orstand-over (grass with significant dead material formed grass clumps are present. Or grasses have become dense. An accumulation of dead material ingrasses, collapsing grass andpoorly 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 46 Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Red Lily Lagoon Lakefield National Park (2009). Bulkaru sedgelands season. inthedry Justine Douglas, QPWS, Lawn Hill Station (2012). remain scattered. forbs intheabsence of fire. Fires also reduce fuel loads andensure shrubs andtrees near future to maintain grassland diversity, as grasses will outcompete otherherbs and This grassland is still healthy but thedensity of grasses indicates afire is required inthe 8/05/13 9:09 AM

46 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 47 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 47 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands • • Discussion What is thepriority for this issue? • •

Very high Medium Priority important habitat features such as unburnt grass clumps andfallen logs. impact onthis species. Mosaic burning will provide refuge areas andretain Conservation Act 1992.Widespread fires with little internal patchiness can guidelines. woody weeds are anissue, refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management be aneffective control methodfor prickly mimosa Vachellia farnesiana . If method of control of parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata but is not known to on larger trees. Seeding occurs between March and June. Fire is auseful Vachellia nilotica seedlings, but is less effective onormay have noimpact Fire is auseful methodof control of somewoody weed andprickly acacia more isolated. Australianorthern continues populations will continue to retreat andbecome River National Park (Garnett andCrowley 2002).If melaleuca thickening in Plains within theupper reaches of the Staaten River mostly within Staaten absent. These parrots are now confined to a single population intheGulf open grassland communities whenhigh-severity fires are restricted or Melaleuca spp. seedlings andsaplings shade-out andeventually replace woodland invasion that reduces nesting habitat andfood sources. in termite mounds ingrasslands. Their habitat is declining dueto melaleuca The endangered golden-shouldered parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius species is currently listed as most of thesouthern,central andlower-north of thebioregion. This The common death adder Acanthophis antarcticus is present throughout woody species. Burning without soil moisture will give acompetitive advantage to weeds and the death of sub-soil grass bases/roots resulting inslow post fire recovery. Fires which are too severe andoccur without sufficient soil moisture result in High recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation

near threatened Priority assessment

under theQueensland Nature

nests nests 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 48 QPWS. Mosaic burning assists intheprotection of thecommon death adder. Above: nest inatermite mound. assist. may earlier burning has occurred) by lighting (providing sufficient late inthe year, orfires started thickened areas small scale fires restricted orabsent. Within high-severity fires being continues to decline dueto the golden-shouldered parrot QPWS,Cape York. Left: QPWS.Storch,Daryn Above: Left: The grassland habitat of 8/05/13 9:09 AM

48 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 49 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 49 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands Select at least two of thefollowing as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes ground layer. back to the trees pushed shrubs or emerging 75 %of More than area. of theburn the boundary ground within blackened 25–80 %of A mosaic of Measurable Measurable objectives ground components) reduced by fire. of emerging shrubs ortrees (above intensity), andcount thenumber variability of landform andlikely fire more sites (taking into account the Before andafter fire, select three or of burnt areas. intensity), andestimate thepercentage variability of landform andlikely fire more sites (taking into account the Before andafter fire, select three or How to beassessed ground layer. pushed back to the Not Achieved: <50% layer. back to theground 50–75 %pushed Partially Achieved: the ground layer. 75 %pushed back to Achieved: More than than 80%burnt. than 25%ormore Not Achieved: Less 25–80 %burnt. Achieved: How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 50 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned planning. Australian Fire Information) orothermeans is useful to guide future fire Mapping andassessment of fire history through fire scars from NAFI(North (Neldner et 2005). al. health. Also Queensland Herbarium CORVEG sites could beused orestablished the bioregion andare designed to assess long–term changes in vegetation A numberof Sav–Mon (savannah monitoring) sites are established across ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time burnt areas. remain in clumps grass of bases 80 %of the More than remaining. estimate percentage of grass clumps landform andlikely fire intensity) and (taking into account the variability of After theburn: select three sites remain. than 50%bases Not Achieved: Less remain. 50–80 %bases Partially Achieved: 80 %bases remain. Achieved: More than 8/05/13 9:09 AM

50 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 51 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 51 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Low most important factors. accumulation, vegetation health andtheneed to mitigate wildfire are the Be aware that some years will bewetter ordrierthan normal. Fuel Karumba. areas Innorthern fires everyone to three years are acceptable. three to six years for grasslands andsedgelands southof approximately the maximum timeframe). Consider abroad fire interval range of between to create varying stages of post-fire response (i.e. recently burnt through to Apply mosaic planned burns across thelandscape at arange of frequencies patchiness andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily bedetermined through on-ground class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L) andoccasionally moderate andhigh-severity fire.

intensity 50–100 (kWm 1500– 100– 1500 5300 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.3–0.5 0.5–1.5 1.5–4.0 height flame (m)

Complete Complete removed. removed. standing biomass biomass biomass biomass Average height scorch scorch ≤ 2.5 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) have burnt. Stubble still evident. surface andnear surface fuels Some patchiness. Most of the blackened remnants. fuels burnt. Stubble burnt to All surface andnear surface Stubble burnt to ash. Ground burnt completely. (loss of biomass) Description 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 52 fire. This will assist in restoring ground cover andpreventing erosion issues. underground portions of vegetation andto promote seedling germination post- Soil moisture: Goodsoil moisture is essential for assisting theprotection of the grass clumps. Wind speed: <23km/hr—somewind may berequired to carry fire between DI (KBDI):80–120(ideally <100) GFDI: <20 to coincide with follow-up rain will assist inpromoting grasses. overabundant saplings/seedlings orwoody weeds are anissue. Timing burns wet seasons). Storm burns should occasionally beapplied, particularly if Season: Early season dry (e.g. March to April possibly June following long burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National (2010). seasondry wildfires. create alow fuel buffer adjacent to fire-sensitive communities, protecting themfrom late Burning fire adapted grasslands early season inthe dry is a tactic that can be used to

creating amosaic. Using appropriate tactics andburning with good soil moisture will assist in

8/05/13 9:09 AM

52 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 53 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 53 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and sedgelands • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

and to program thepath into aGPS for use inflight. an aerial incendiary path using maps, satellite images oraerial photographs them from impacts of late season dry wildfires. It is good practice to plot out thickets andacacia communities) creating areas of reduced fuel protecting an opportunity to burn away from non-target communities (e.g. springs, vine may prevent fire from carrying as far as intended. Aerial ignition also provides previously burnt areas to contain fires. Also, note that these natural features water, there may besufficient moisture), areas of sparse or uncured fuel or Utilise natural features such as rivers andstreams (even if there is no spread is theCSIRO Grassland Fire Spread MeterAustralia. for Northern extinguishing inevening conditions. Auseful tool to determine therate of would bedetermined by how far thefire is required to travel before self- morning orafternoondepending onthedesired outcome. Ignitiontiming achieved through aerial ignition.Early season dry fires can belit ineither due to thesize andinaccessibility of grassland communities. This is mostly Aerial ignition.Alandscape approach to fire management is necessary others species must bescorched to theirtip—seek advice). species can bekilled with lower severity fire with ahigh residence time; the amount of fuel available andalso ontheoverabundant species (some or overabundant seedlings/saplings. The best methodis dependent on moving andincreases residence time , is also useful to reduce woody weeds overabundant seedlings/sapling. Alow intensity backing fire , which is slow A running fire of ahigherintensity, lit with thewind can helpreduce from thenon-target community. lighting patterns along themargin to promote abacking away burns fire that riparian communities can occur adjacent to grasslands. Use appropriate Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Insomecases, diversity. severities, burnt/unburnt areas, andseasonal variability to support habitat also create patchiness andfauna refuges andhelpcreate arich mosaic of year (e.g. storm burning) orto provide barriers to wildfire movement. They can provide opportunistic barriers to fire to support burning later inthe periods of ignitionshould occur ineach park ineach year. These burnt areas cured sufficiently to fire,carry withnumerous small ignitions. Ideally multiple Plains, ignitioncan begin soonafterthewet season as soonas fuel has carried out throughout as much of the year as conditions allow. IntheGulf Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning where ignitionis 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 54 communities, for fire management guidelines. Refer to Chapter 1(Issue 2):Maintain healthy shrubby orspinifex dominated continuous with eucalypt communities with aspinifex dominated understorey. In theGulf Plains bioregion spinifex Triodia spp. grasslands are generally Issue 2:Maintain healthy spinifex grasslands 8/05/13 9:09 AM

54 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 2: Maintain healthy spinifex grasslands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 55 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 55 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 3),for fire management guidelines. shading. thickening) may reduce thehealth of theground layer through competition and Overabundance of acacias, eucalypts orothertrees andshrubs (woody Issue 3:Reduce overabundant saplings 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 56 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. bioregion andmay beabundant insomeareas. Parkinsonia aculeata andotherwoody weeds are also found within the and eradication has beenachieved insomeareas using fire alone. Parkinsonia bioregion inmoderate to very dense infestations. Rubber vine is fire sensitive Rubber vine Issue 4:Reduce woody weeds Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). in managing theissue. This sedgeland has become arubber vine shrubland intheabsence of fire. Fire will assist Cryptostegia grandiflora is presently found throughout the 8/05/13 9:09 AM

56 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 57 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 2­—Grasslands and sedgelands 57 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 5),for fire management guidelines. control. leading to impacts onecosystems. Insomecases, fire can be used as ofpart High-biomass grasses can bepromoted by fire, andincrease theseverity of fire Issue 5:Manage high-biomass grasses 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 58 ground stratum while drierareas have grasses, herbs andforbs. areas which retain water for anextended periodoftensupport sedges inthe and with vine thicket species sometimes present. Perennial wetlands or Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Pandanus spp., cabbage palm Livistona rigida, fluviatilis, orMelaleuca leucadendra, usually growing amongst river red gum Riparian areas are oftendominated by Melaleuca argentea, Melaleuca shrubs such as smooth-leaved quininePetalostigma banksiiandgrevillea. inundated. Driersites have agrassy understory sometimes with sparse of these communities occur adjacent to streams andrivers orare periodically liniment tree Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa. IntheGulf Plains bioregion many occasionally with othercanopy species present such as Eucalyptus This fire vegetation group includes all communities dominated by melaleuca, Chapter 3:Melaleuca woodlands spp. or 8/05/13 9:09 AM 58 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 59

59 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands allowing woody species thecompetitive advantage. by cattle concentrating feeding onregrowth grasses intherecently burnt areas, preventing fires of sufficient severity to manage thickening and is compounded is avoided infavour of pasture retention). Stock grazing reduces fuel loads grazing is combined with repeated early-season burns (orplanned burning sedgelands). Woody thickening becomes much more severe where stock into opengrasslands occurs (seeChapter inthenorth 2:Grasslands and southern areas of thebioregion, althoughthespread of melaleuca trees seedlings/saplings). Thickening is thought to bemore prevalent inthedrier, season (whenthey are not intense enoughto control emerging overabundant to alack of planned burning and/orfires repeatedly applied too early inthe seedlings/saplings leading to woody thickening. This process is attributed Another issue insomeareas is loss of openstructure through overabundant health andpersistence of melaleuca communities. Establishing andmaintaining alandscape mosaic is important to protect the wildfires. breaking-up fuel continuity, andtherefore limiting theimpacts of late-season (of time-since-fire) through broad-scale fire management, reducing and The main issue for melaleuca communities is maintaining alandscape mosaic Fire management issues 3. 2. 1. Issues: 352 ha; Mutton Hole Wetlands Conservation Park, 7ha. Rungulla Proposed new National Park, 1136ha; Gilbert River Proposed newNational Park, Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land),6655ha; Bulleringa National Park, 1507ha; Examples of this FVG: Staaten River National Park, 216495ha; Errk Oykangand National 1 for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 5 344 469 ha, 24 per cent;

Manage high-biomass grasses. Reduce woody weeds. Maintain healthy melaleuca communities. Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix 8/05/13 9:09 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 60 • • • • Key indicators of healthy melaleuca communities: Awareness of theenvironment Issue 1:Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Staaten River National Park (2004). Healthy openmelaleuca woodland. •

are not sofrequent that they are beginning to shade out theground layer. gutta percha Excoecaria parvifolia orotherspecies may bescattered, but they In someareas currant bush Carissa lanceolata, quininePetalostigma spp., interspersed with sedges andrushes. spp., cabbage palm Livistona spp. or vine thicket species present; andgrasses Melaleuca dominated riparian communities may have Eucalypt and forbs are oftenfound between grasses. Grasses are upright and vigorous, with well formed bases. Adiversity of herbs any mix of these intheunderstorey. Healthy melaleuca woodlands have grasses, occasional shrubs orsedges, or be present to eventually replace thecanopy. Melaleuca is thedominant canopy tree. Afew saplings of variable size should spp., Pandanus spp., 8/05/13 9:09 AM

60 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 61 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 61 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Riparian areas with melaleuca lining thebanks inBulleringa National Park. These areas are QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2009). In melaleuca woodlands, grasses oftendominate theground layer. Nick Smith, QPWS, Red River (2012). due to alack of flammable grasses orbecause of humidandshaded micro-environments. burnt inassociation with thesurrounding country; however they tend to burn less frequently 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 62 • • The following may indicate that fire is required inmelaleuca communities: Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2000). other communities andare managed inassociation with them. Melaleuca communities (appear silver inthe photo) are oftencontinuous with eucalypt or

browning andthere is abuild-up of dead leaves. proportions have dead ordying crowns orbranches. Lower leaves are The crowns andbranches of shrubs are declining inhealth andhigh not consumed inprevious burning cycles) grasses. There is abuild-up of rank orstand-over (grass with significant dead material 8/05/13 9:10 AM

62 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 63 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 63 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities • • • • Discussion •

grasses andashaded micro-climate. silt-coated ground fuels (dueto seasonal flooding), or have less flammable less likely to penetrate andinclude braided channels orareas of reduced or sensitive species andburn less frequently. These are inareas where fire is Some melaleuca dominated riparian andfringing communities retain fire- species response to fire is important indetermining if thickening is an issue. landscape characteristics. Knowing thefire history of anarea andindividual tree species is not related to fire management, but is a result of soil and certain tree species intheunderstorey, beaware that theabundance of some Although inappropriate fire management can lead to an overabundance of of ahot fire late season. inthedry season burning has not occurred orhas beeninsufficient to mitigate therun of thenatural system, they have considerable ecological impacts whenearly- (one to two years) andextensive. Whilst, fires from lightning strikes are part stormsdry late season inthedry orintheearly wet season are frequent association with surrounding eucalypt woodlands. Wildfires resulting from In terms of fire management, openmelaleuca communities are managed in each property, each year. ignition. Ideally, this would include at least three different ignitionperiods on communities intheGulf Plains is broad-scale management through aerial A key strategy to manage the vast expanses of inaccessible melaleuca around them. as barriers to fire can beenhanced through proactive early burning inand fires are less frequent and/orsevere. Sometimes the role of riparian areas Grazing impacts may lead fuel to further reduction inthese areas meaning 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 64 • • What is thepriority for this issue?

Very high Priority appear too green to burn will burn severely (and vice versa). should beused andlocal knowledge sought as somegrass species that still assist indetermining whengrasses are ready to burn. However, caution cent cured. AustralianThe North Grassland Fuel Guide(Johnson 2001)may Grasses are generally considered ready to burn whenthey reach 50–60per wildfire is important. severity fire. Managing the surrounding fire adapted communities tomitigate may bepresent. These communities are vulnerable to too frequent andhigh- spp.) andsome vine thicket species such as Diospyros spp. orfigs Ficusspp. Pandanus, river she-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana , palms (e.g.Livistona as river red gumEucalyptus camaldulensis orMelaleuca spp. dominate but likely to burn inassociation with thesurrounding landscape. Species such Other rivers within theGulf Plains are not as self-protecting andare more High health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:10 AM

64 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 65 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 65 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Select at least two of thefollowing as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes reduced. < 2mare saplings overabundant > 75%of infrastructure. resources or cultural natural/ wildfire to subsequent impact by prevented burning has planned Proactive demonstrated. burning Progressive Measurable Measurable objectives components) reduced. overabundant saplings (above ground transects, estimate thepercentage of Select several sites orwalk several wildfire onanannual basis. estimate area of planned burns against Using fire scar remote sensing data, sensing with points collected onGPS. it may benecessary to combine remote early burns may not be visible onNAFI month, onanannual basis. Note that estimate burnt andunburnt country by Using fire scar remote sensing data, How to beassessed Not Achieved: <25%. 25–75 %. Partially Achieved: Achieved: >75%. impact. has had significant Not Achieved: Wildfire wildfire. prevents impact by area planned burnt Achieved: Annual burning has occurred. Not Achieved: No achieved. One to two burns Partially Achieved: season. burns through the series of progressive sensing shows a Achieved: Remote How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 66 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned or othermeans is useful to guidefuture fire planning. 2005).Mappingal. andassessment of fire history through fire scars from NAFI Queensland Herbarium CORVEG sites could beused orestablished (Neldner et bioregion andare designed to assess long-term changes in vegetation health. A numberof Sav-Mon (savannah monitoring) sites are established across the ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time scorch. canopy Minimise trees with canopy scorch. severity) andobservethenumberof variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor scorch. Complete canopy Not Achieved: has occurred. Some canopy scorch Partially Achieved: scorch has occurred. Achieved: Nocanopy 8/05/13 9:10 AM

66 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 67 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 67 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Low class Low Fire (M) (L) to moderate to .

150–500 intensity (kWm < 150 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.5–1.5 height flame < 0.5 (m)

melaleuca melaleuca 20 mon Average 2.5–7.5 8 mon height scorch scorch (up to (up to trees) trees) ≤ 2.5 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) Little ornocanopy scorch. scorching of elevated fuels. grass stubble retained. Some habitat trees, fallen logs and layer retained. Nearly all retained but charred. Humus Significant patchiness. Litter Little ornocanopy scorch. Some scorch of elevated fuels. trees andfallen logs retained. stubble remain. Most habitat half thehumus layer andgrass scorched litter remains. About patchiness.Moderate Some (loss of biomass) Description 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 68 Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Other considerations • • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) • •

Karumba) andinsomeriparian areas. to five years) are acceptable inthesouthof the bioregion (e.g. southof about one to three years for melaleuca woodlands. Longer fire intervals (e.g. three the maximum timeframe). Consider abroad fire interval range of between to create varying stages of post-fire response (i.e. recently burnt through to Apply mosaic planned burns across thelandscape at arange of frequencies on plants. Do not burn during drought conditions as this can exacerbate drought stress behaviour in varying season. retaining moisture for longer. The key is to know thecountry andobservefire Some melaleuca communities will burn later intheseason dueto soils to burn sufficient area to impede extensive late dry-season burns or wildfires. acceptable to completely burn all of anarea andconversely it is important and will needto beassessed onacase by case basis. However, it is not Most fires should be patchy; however this will vary with burn location patchiness andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily bedetermined through on-ground 8/05/13 9:10 AM

68 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 69 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 69 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities outcrops are useful barriers to fire movement. Under suitable planned burn conditions, natural barriers such as creeks dry androcky QPWS, East Back Creek, Staaten River National Park (2004). vegetation. Low severity fire inmelaleuca woodlands can assist inprotecting nearby creek line Mick Blackman, Friendly Fire Ecological Contractor PtyLtd, Mitchell River (2010). 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 70 trees andfallen logs, particularly inriparian areas. Soil moisture: Goodmoisture conditions to protect bases of grasses, habitat Wind speed: <23km/hr DI (KBDI):80–100but more may beacceptable insomeareas GFDI: <18 • • Season: burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? Refer to Chapter 1(Issue 1),for fire management tactics. What burn tactics should Iconsider? • •

areas andinsurrounding fire-adapted communities. providing sufficient early season burns have occurred both within riparian wildfires later intheseason. These areas can be used as fire breaks In someriparian areas wet-season burning can reduce fuels andprevent management guidelines). seedlings/saplings are anissue (refer to Chapter 8,Issue 3for fire Repeated early season burns are not recommended where overabundant extent andseverity of wildfire. that early season burning has beenconducted inaway that mitigates the a natural feature of these systems andare not usually aproblem provided for anumberof years. Higherseverity fires caused by lightning strike are also Occasional storm burns may berequired where hot fires have beenabsent season). Donot burn inthelate season. dry fires intocarry thenight but not overnight (usually this will bethemiddry fire self-extinguishes intheevening. Continue burns intoseason the dry until Soon after thewet season whenit is enoughto dry carry afire (just) but the 8/05/13 9:10 AM

70 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 71 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands 71 Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. and widespread insomeareas. other woody weeds are also found within thebioregion andmay be abundant achieved insomeareas using fire alone. Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata and throughout thebioregion. Rubber vine is fire-sensitive anderadication has been Rubber vine Issue 2:Reduce woody weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora is presently found inanumberof locations 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 72 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 5),for fire management guidelines. of control. fire leading to impacts onecosystems. Insome cases, fire canbe used as part High biomass grasses can bepromoted by fire, andincrease theseverity of Issue 3:Manage high-biomass grasses 8/05/13 9:10 AM

72 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 3—Melaleuca woodlands Issue 3: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 73

73 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities these areas andincrease fire severity. threats to acacia communities. These grasses have the ability to draw fires into Cenchrus grass asbuffel such ciliarisare oneof themajor grasses Invasive fires. unburnt areas that mitigate thefrequency, intensity andextent of unplanned surrounding fire-adapted areas to create a landscape mosaic of burnt and instances, fire should not beapplied directly to these areas. Rather, manage Acacia communities are vulnerable to repeated, highseverity fire. Inmost Fire management issues clays, sand ridges andswales. rises, scarps andstony ledges, plains anddepressions onplains, cracking 2002). These communities are found ona variety of landforms including low shrubs andamixture of tussock grasses, spinifex andforbs (Hodgkinson and Thryptomene oligandra . The sparse lower layers vary andmay include Grevillea hemiglauca, beefwood striata, bauhiniaLysiphyllum cunninghamii dominated by corkwood wattles Vachellia spp. whitewood Atalaya Acacia stenophylla. This fire vegetation group includes other communities as lancewood Acacia shirleyi¸ gidgee Acacia cambagei orby shoestring wattle Typically these communities are dominated by asingle acacia species such Chapter 4:Acacia communities 2. 1. Issues: Proposed newNational Park, 14510 ha; Bulleringa National Park, 11879ha. Examples of this Rungulla FVG: Proposed new National Park, 30629ha; Gilbert River 1 for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 1406517ha, 6percent; Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix

Manage high-biomass grasses. acacia communities. Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into

8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 74 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 6),regarding fire management guidelines. unplanned fires inacacia dominated communities. adapted communities to limit thefrequency andpotential impacts of damaging, a varied landscape mosaic of burnt andunburnt patches inadjacent fire- loads. Active protection is generally not required inmild conditions. Maintain Most acacia communities are self protecting dueto low ordiscontinuous fuel encroachment into acacia communities Issue 1:Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire Tallawanta homestead (2006). Herbarium, west of the Gary Wilson,Queensland the landscape. loads ortheirposition in protecting dueto low fuel are essentially self- Many acacia communities 8/05/13 9:10 AM

74 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 75 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities 75 Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities A healthy lancewood community lies adjacent to openeucalypt woodland with spinifex. Nick Smith, QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2012). impacts of wildfire. Notice thesharp delineation between these communities. Planned burning inthewoodlands will assist inprotecting fire-sensitive lancewood from Station (2006). NeumayerHerbarium, Valley Gary Wilson,Queensland regain its pre-fire height. to years many take may generally not killed by fire, Whitewood, while 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 76 Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, southof theBurketown Development Road (2006). Low fuel loads insomegidgee communities afford themprotection from fire. Gary Wilson, Queensland of Herbarium,theBurke north and Wills Roadhouse (2005). Fallen trees andbranches; these fuels may carry fire into acacia communities onoccasion. 8/05/13 9:10 AM

76 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 77 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities 77 Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities • • • Discussion Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, west of theNeumayer Valley homestead (2006). these communities, to mitigate wildfire impacts. Following good seasons it may benecessary to reduce thefuel load onthemargins of

causing undesirable impacts. of invasive grasses have resulted infires of agreater frequency andseverity Changes inland use (through clearing anduse of pastoral fire) and spread sufficient fuel to firecarry (Hodgkinson 2002)orduring extensive wildfires. prolonged rainfall which has resulted insubstantial grass growth creating associated with grasslands). Ingeneral fires have occurred following at between ten andfifty years (thoughthis differs where acacias are Historically, fire within most acacia communities was infrequent, estimated a mature stand, they may berelatively self-protecting dueto low fuel loads. their germination, which is very occasional andfollows highrainfall years. As a very limited ability to regenerate from post-fire suckers. Fire plays no role in Other acacias such as gidgee are long lived, soft seeded,fire killed and have at least ten years for lancewood communities. fires until theacacias reach maturity andset several seed crops. This may be community inthelandscape. Afterwildfire it is then critical to exclude further the occasional (rare) unplanned fire may play a role inthepersistence of this that land managers mitigate wildfire impacts by burning surrounding areas, seeded andrequire fire to promote germination. Although it is recommended from theseedbank for thespecies to persist locally. These species are hard Fire-killed acacias such as lancewood are reliant onpost-fire regeneration 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 78 Gary Wilson, Queensland of Herbarium,the Burke north and Wills Roadhouse (2005). preventing late season wildfire. Applying fire early in theseason onthe margins of these communities may assist in Grasses, particularly buffel grass, can carry fire into fire-sensitive gidgee communities. Gary Wilson, Queensland Herbarium, southof theNardoo homestead (2006). germination which is very occasional andgenerally follows highrainfall years. Gidgee are soft-seeded, long-lived andmay bekilled by fire. Fire plays no role intheir 8/05/13 9:10 AM

78 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities Issue 1: Burn adjacent fire-adapted communities to limit fire encroachment into acacia communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 79 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 4—Acacia communities 79 Issue 2: Manage high-biomass grasses Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 5),for fire management guidelines. areas. Grader grass Themeda quadrivalvis may also beanissue insomeareas. gradually result inthefragmentation andoverall decline intheextent of these characteristics andpromoting acycle of damaging high-severity fires which in particular poses asignificant threat to acacia communities by altering fuel significant impacts upon vegetation communities. Buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris dramatically increase fire severity, are oftenpromoted by fire and may result in It is important to beaware of thepresence of invasive grasses as they can Issue 2:Manage high-biomass grasses Justine Douglas, QPWS, Moorrinya National Park (2011). A gidgee dominated woodland with anunderstorey of buffel grass. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 80 occurs inswales. These are fire-sensitive dune communities. estuarine zone andswamp paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia openforest Casuarina equisetifolia low openwoodland is found on dunes adjacent to the and cultural importance to Aboriginal people (DERM2005).Coastal she-oak sometimes have peat soils whenactive. Springs oftenhave significant material river red gumEucalyptus camaldulensis and/orMelaleuca leucadendra and Springs onalluvium, also considered ‘endangered’, are oftendominated by surrounded by openeucalypt woodland andare considered ‘endangered’. softwood species. Ferns may grow inpatches ongorge walls. They are generally National Park they are found ingullies andgorges with dense grasses andsome regional ecosystem mapping dueto theirsmall size. Inareas such as Bulleringa south andwest of theGulf Plains bioregion andmay not always be visible in as well as fire-sensitive dune communities. Springs are found within the This fire vegetation group includes fringing communities onperennial springs Chapter 5: Springs anddune communities 2. 1. Issues: assist inmitigating theimpacts of unplanned fire. ecosystems. Proactive fire management in surrounding fire-adapted areas will Mitigating wildfires is also important to maintaining thehealth of these them from fire. impact onthese communities. Donot intentionally burn andactively protect Coastal she-oak trees are highly sensitive to fire andfire has a significant can spread into theunderground peat layer. spring surface has become from dry reduced water flow, there is arisk that fire moisture to protect thepeat layer andfire sensitive soft wood species. If a The main issue whenburning around springs is ensuring there is sufficient Fire management issues Examples of this NoneonQPWS FVG: estate. for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 3333ha,< 1percent; Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix 1

Avoid peat fires. Limit fire encroachment into springs anddune communities. 8/05/13 9:10 AM 80 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 81 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities 81 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities dragging theblade through she-oak needles can also give added protection. mitigate wildfire will assist intheirprotection. Where practical, a rake-hoe line should beexcluded. Ensuring fires within adjacent fire-adapted communities Coastal she-oak openforest contains species highly sensitive to fire andall fires severity. presence of highbiomass grasses andrubber vine may also increase fire burning conditions however highseverity fires are potentially athreat. The Swamp paperbark openforest may beself-protecting under mild planned should belit annually with theaimof burning anumberof small patches. of burnt areas may also benecessary to mitigate theimpacts of wildfire. These burns onflooddebris andfine fuels on terraces that aim todevelop a mosaic useful to reduce fuel loads andmitigate impacts of wildfire. Early dry-season season,dry that onsomeoccasions trickle into spring communities will be Patchy to low-severity burns insurrounding areas inthelate wet season to early visible, thepeat should be waterlogged (refer to Issue 2). alluvium. Fire should not beapplied if peat is andif dry standing water is not in spring ecosystems. Peat soils may exist insprings oneithersandstone or particularly fire-sensitive. Care should be taken to ensure they are retained Some plants, such as somesoftwood species, occur insprings andare communities Issue 1:Limit fire encroachment into springs anddune 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 82 Bulleringa National Park. DonkeyQPWS, Springs, with soil moisture. in cool winter months the early season dry or vulnerable. Burn in species are potentially Bulleringa—softwood threat to springs at considered amajor are Wildfires Springs (2012). River fed by Donkey Nick Smith, QPWS, Red areas. managing riparian 3 for guidelines for to Chapters 1and spring itself. Refer requirements to the with different fire riparian vegetation banks contain feed rivers whose Some active springs Bulleringa National Park. DonkeyQPWS, Springs, active protection. others will need from wildfire, while naturally protected spring system are Some partsof the 8/05/13 9:10 AM

82 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 83 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities 83 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities Mangrove, saltmarsh, swamp paperbark andcoastal she-oak woodland communities Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). nearby planned burning operations. Coastal she-oak is killed by fire and may require active protection during wildfires or Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). have differing fire responses. Careful planning of fires in adjacent areas is required. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 84 • • Key indicators of suitable conditions to avoid peat fires: Awareness of theenvironment years to re-form. have very negative impacts onthewhole ecosystem. Peat takes hundreds of is easily ignited resulting inapeat fire. Peat fires can burn formonths and can packed vegetation known as peat. Intheabsence of good soil moisture thepeat Some spring ecosystems gradually accumulate partially decayed, densely Issue 2:Avoid peat fires Rod Fensham, Queensland Herbarium, Black Spring, Pelham Station (1999). prior to implementing planned burns inoraround springs. While standing water is visible, care should betaken to check all areas containing peat

(it is possible to squeeze water out of it). In theabsence of standing water, thepeat should bewater logged and grasses is present. Standing water is visible orsurface water that covers thebases of sedges 8/05/13 9:10 AM

84 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 85 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities 85 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities • • • • Discussion Rod Fensham, Queensland Herbarium, Black Spring, Pelham Station (1999). or moist whenapplying fire in adjacent communities. The peat layer of this spring community is vulnerable to fire. Ensure peat is water logged

form peat layers (e.g. mudsprings androcky areas). Some springs are not threatened by fire as they are not vegetated anddonot indigenous cultural heritage values. environmental values (including unusual endemic flora and fauna) The conservation of springs is extremely important as they have considerable may assist inprotecting peat. entering peat. Tactics such as burning away from theedges of spring areas than ideal conditions, manage thefire carefully to minimise therisk of fire to thecondition of thepeat. If it is necessary to burn adjacent areas inless as running water orprevious wet season rainfall may provide guidance as fire encroaches, apeat fire will not beignited. Alternatively indicators such ecosystems. The condition of thepeat should bechecked to ensure that if Be aware of peat issues whenburning inareas adjacent to spring extended periodof time,causing re-ignitions. dry, theresulting fire can damage ecosystems and burn /smoulder for an Due to its porous nature and highcarbon content peat is easily ignited when 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 86 Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters peat fire. not result ina burn does The planned

Very high Measurable Measurable objectives Priority community. Fire frequency should bedetermined by thesurrounding fire vegetation fire encroachment. Low severity fire inthe surrounding fire-adapted areas will help to manage implementation. most appropriate management during burn planning and Where peat is present, it is important to consider the into apeat fire. carried into peat layer anddeveloped post burn to determine if thefire has Ongoing visual assessment during and How to beassessed Priority assessment peat fire. and developed into a carried into peat layer Not Achieved: Fire peat fire. and develop into a carry into peat layer Achieved: Fire didnot How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM

86 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 87 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Springs and dune communities 87 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into springs and dune communities What burn tactics should Iconsider? will avoid peat fire. Soil moisture: Standing water, orwater logged peat, is thecritical factor that Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):80–120 FFDI: <18 drought as this is when peat is most likely to ignite. sufficiently cured to fire.carry Care should be taken following periods of Season: Early season dry orwinter months (cool conditions) whenfuel is burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • • encroachment of fire into the spring area. Seebelow. water orwater logged peat can not beachieved, use tactics that will limit When burning adjacent fire-adapted areas, where the conditions of standing

to prevent later fires entering the spring proper. In upland areas target woodlands above thesprings early intheseason, Do not create arunning fire. a low intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. lighting patterns along themargin of thenon-target community to promote Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Use appropriate spacing between spots will result inalower severity fire. intensity (as spots merge andcreate hot junction zones) while increased severity of afire. Spots closer together will result inalineof agreater Spot ignition. Spot ignitioncan beused effectively to alter thedesired 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 88 burns inadjacent fire-adapted communities. Limit fire encroachment or scorching of vine thickets by undertaking low severity and extent of fires inpreviously self-protecting vine thickets. and around some vine thickets. Highbiomass grasses can increase theseverity Themeda grass quadrivalvis exist asgrader such within grasses biomass High protect these communities fires. from further extent andseverity. Once weed control is achieved it is important to then rubber vine. Fires to manage woody weeds in vine thicket should beof limited Occasionally, fire is used in vine thickets for control of woody weeds such as regarded as fire-sensitive (QPWS 2007).Donot intentionally burn. trunks afterminorfire damage, the majority of vine thicket species are generally some individual plant species have thecapacity to propagate from roots and in thelandscape orlack of flammable grasses intheground layer. Although Sometimes vine thickets are somewhat protected from fire by theirposition season fires. attritionoffurther some vine thickets dueto theincreasing numberof late dry- ‘ status Some of the vine thicket communities intheGulf Plains have thebiodiversity Fire management issues surrounded primarily by grassy openeucalypt orestuarine communities. or as semi-deciduous vine thickets onbeach ridges (beach scrub). They are Vine thickets occur as low closed forest onmudstone with asparse shrublayer Chapter 6: Vine thickets 3. 2. 1. Issues: Examples of this NoneonQPWS FVG: estate. for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 3969ha,< 1percent; Regional ecosystems:Refer to Appendix 1

Manage high-biomass grasses. Reduce woody weeds. Limit fire encroachment into vine thickets. of concern’. Akey conservation issue for this fire vegetation group is the 8/05/13 9:10 AM 88 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Vine thickets DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 89 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Vine thickets 89 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into vine thickets Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 6),regarding fire management guidelines. protection from unplanned fire. caused by careless campers, fishers andothers. These may require active The beach scrubs of the Gulf of Carpentaria are frequently impacted by wildfires away from vine thicket edges. adjacent fire adapted communities. Sometimes it may benecessary to burn The main strategy is to undertake early dry-season, low-intensity burns in Issue 1:Limit fire encroachment into vine thickets 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 90 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. prevent fires further from impacting the vine thicket vegetation. using fire alone.Once control of rubber vine is achieved it is important to then Rubber vine is fire-sensitive anderadication has beenachieved insomeareas bioregion inmoderate to very dense infestations including within vine thickets. Rubber vine Issue 2:Reduce woody weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora is presently found throughout the 8/05/13 9:10 AM

90 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Vine thickets Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 91 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Vine thickets 91 Issue 3: Manage high-biomass grasses Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 5),for fire management guidelines. can bemanaged with fire insome cases. invasive grasses occurs. Mossman River grass can also impact vine thickets and every five years could be considered, providing follow-up herbicide treatment of is not possible, alow severity backing fire at intervals not more frequently than into vine thickets. If excluding fire from infested areas adjacent to vine thickets Some species of invasive grasses such as grader grass can invade anddraw fire Issue 3:Manage high-biomass grasses 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 92 landscape. and probably burns occasionally inassociation with fires inthe surrounding however it is not actively protected from fire intheGulf Plains bioregion Saltmarsh swamp paperbark openforest is sometimes potentially flammable (Williams andGreig 2010). edges of mangrove communities oruse hightides to assist intheirprotection burning operations orwildfire. Care should be taken to burn away from the burning conditions. Sometimes mangroves can bescorched by nearby planned Mangroves donot require fire andare somewhat self-protecting under mild Fire management issues or grasses with otherplants sparse. little other vegetation present. Saltmarsh is dominated by salt adapted sedges Mangroves occur instands (along tidal zones), as low trees orshrubs with very water. They are periodically inundated through tidal actionandstorms. Mangroves andsaltmarshes are found near orwithin estuarine orbrackish Chapter 7:Mangroves andsaltmarshes 2. 1. Issues: Conservation Park, 5315ha. Examples of this Finucane FVG: Island National Park, 6071ha; Mutton Hole Wetlands for complete list. Extent within bioregion: 551315ha, 2percent; Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix 1

Reduce woody weeds. Limit fire encroachment into mangrove and saltmarsh communities.

8/05/13 9:10 AM 92 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 7—Mangroves and saltmarshes DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 93 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 7—Mangroves and saltmarshes 93 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into mangrove and saltmarsh communities Refer to Chapter 8,Issue 6,for fire management guidelines. samphire component of this community. frequent andburning whensoils are moist would assist inmaintaining the do not tolerate frequent fire (Williams andGreig 2010).Ensuring fires are not after fire, however they are usually interspersed with samphire plants that Grasses within saltmarsh communities are fire-tolerant and regenerate rapidly as burning away from theedges of these communities. groundwater seepage. If these conditions cannot beachieved, use tactics such is required themain strategy is to burn at hightideorfollowing recent rain with fire-sensitive, however they can be scorched by higher-severity fire. If protection Under low to moderate planned burning conditions mangroves are generally not saltmarsh communities Issue 1:Limit fire encroachment into mangrove and Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). burning operations which pose athreat of fire incursion. Fire-killed mangroves. Care should betaken to burn away from these trees inplanned 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 94 Refer to Chapter 8(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. of thetreated vegetation communities. Finucane Island which gauges theeffect of fire onthese weeds andthe recovery to resprout from alignotuber (DEEDI2011). Some monitoring sites exist on effect fire onthese species is limited due to its soft, spongy nature andability some areas using fire alone.Calotrope Calotropis procera is also present but the grandiflora. Rubber vine is fire sensitive anderadication has beenachieved in Fire can beaneffective tool inthecontrol of rubber vine Cryptostegia Issue 2:Reduce woody weeds Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). rubber vine. Fires in salt couch/samphire forblands may assist to manage woody weeds such as 8/05/13 9:10 AM

94 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 7—Mangroves and saltmarshes Issue 2: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 95

95 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Issues: Fire management issues chapter. this chapter andcross referenced where relevant ineach fire vegetation group repeating these issues for each fire vegetation group, they are gathered in approach is similar, irrespective of thefire vegetation group. Rather than In theGulf Plains bioregion there are someissues where thefire management Chapter 8:Common issues 7.

Cyclones andsevere storms. Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities. Manage high-biomass grasses. Reduce woody weeds. Reduce overabundant saplings andseedlings. Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites. Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 96 Or is for themanagement of protection andwildfire mitigation zones, anddoes not Chapter 1:Eucalypt communities).This hazard reduction guideline(this issue) broad-scale mosaic burning within thefire-adapted landscape (for example see values and native species. The main strategy for managing these fires is through and propertyhave beenshown to have significant impact on conservation Frequent, intense late-season fires often cover vast areas. They threaten life controllability. spread andintensity of subsequent wildfires; andtherefore improve their (within theecological regime for thecommunity) to mitigate flameheight, planned burning is to simplify the structure andreduce thequantity of fuel burning as oftenas fuel levels allow. Inwildfire mitigation zones theaimof zones should bemaintained ina relatively low fuel hazard state by planned and natural andcultural resources that may bedamaged by fire. Protection vegetation structure andreduced fuel levels around key infrastructure, property Management System, protection zones aimto create areas of simplified In many cases it is important to use fire to reduce fuels. IntheQPWS Fire Issue 1:Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns • • Main indicators of where fire management is required: Awareness of theenvironment cover broad-scale fire management within thebroader landscape.

fuel load estimation technique). of thesupportingguideline:How to assess if your burn is ready to go, for a elevated fuels andbark hazard) exceeds five tonnes perhectare (see Step 5 The combined accumulation of all fuels (surface fuels, near-surface fuels, 2010b). Note that this is thepreferred assessment method. hazard as pertheOverall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide(Hines et al. elevated fuels andbark hazard) exceeds a low to moderate overall fuel The combined accumulation of all fuels (surface fuels, near-surface fuels,

8/05/13 9:10 AM

96 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 97 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 97 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns fuel is arranged norits state orstructure’ (Hines et 2010a). al. as tonnes perhectare. Aquantification of fuel load does not describe how the Fuel load weight—‘the dry of combustible materials perarea, usually expressed suppression if fuel should beignited’ (Wilson 1992). as quantity, arrangement, current orpotential flammability andthedifficulty of Fuel hazard—‘the condition of thefuel taking into consideration such factors Discussion • • • • • • • • • (Not all of these indicators will apply to everyfire vegetation group): Descriptive indicators of where fire management is required • • • • •

The midorlower stratum is difficult to seethrough or walk through. is present ontheground orperched inshrubs andtrees. An accumulation of coarse fuels with adiameter greater than six millimetres sapling foliage. Ribbon bark, leaf litter andfinebranch material is perched inshruband Shrub branches have significant dead material. Ground layer plants orshrubs are smothered by leaf litter insomeareas. There is anaccumulation of continuous surface fuels that will carry afire. ferns. Dead material has accumulated around thebase of grasses, sedges and A highbark hazard is present. firelines within protection zones. Containment hazards (e.g. stumps, logs andstags) are present along competitive advantage over woody species. and low-severity burns that retain thebases of grasses will give thema structure suitable for wildfire management andmitigation. Moist conditions Fire management that favours grasses will assist inachieving anopen suspended andelevated fuel andoverabundant saplings andseedlings. zones andwildfire mitigation zones, which means addressing issues such as It is important to maintain asimplified vegetation fuel structure inprotection Photos 1aand1b)can bedefined as: interchangeably. While they are related, they dodiffer significantly (refer to The terms fuel load andfuel hazard are widely used to describe fuels, often How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go. To estimate fuel load, refer to Step 5of theQPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: 2010b). woodlands) use theOverall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide(Hines, et al. To estimate fuel hazard (recommended for use inopenforests and 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 98 Demonstration of thedifference betweenload fuel fuel arrangement. pages of newspaper) but adifferent have thesame fuel load (eighteen • • • • Troy Spinks, QPWS (2010). Photo 1a:

distributed. have significant effects onthequantity of smoke generated andhow it is temperature inversion andwind speed anddirection all of which can lines). Planning needs to consider factors such as fuel type,fuel hazard, operations (e.g. agriculture, major airports, roads andhigh voltage power where burns are undertaken close to residential areas orcommercial Planned burning oftencreates a smoke management issue particularly planned burn operations procedural guide. Refer to theQPWS Goodneighbour policy external andNotifying parties of way to achieve theobjectives of protection andwildfire mitigation zones. levels. Cooperative fuel reduction burns with neighbours are oftentheonly boundaries as they are oftenininaccessible areas andhave continuous fuel due to thelocation of park boundaries (firelines may not exist along park It is not always possible to contain planned burns within theprotected area produce high-severity fire during wildfire conditions (e.g. heath). possible avoid fire vegetation groups containing species that naturally vegetation groups that support asimplified vegetation fuel structure. Where When establishing protection zones orwildfire mitigation zones favour fire objectives below). group inaddition to afuel reduction objective (refer to fuel reduction Ensure theuse of appropriate conservation objectives for thefire vegetation In wildfire mitigation zones it is essential to maintain ecosystem health. The two samples above Troy Spinks, QPWS (2010). fuel hazard. contributes to thedifference in Photo 1b: The fuel arrangement andfuel hazard. 8/05/13 9:10 AM

98 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 99 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 99 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? tonnes/ha. <5 to load Reduce fuel Or or moderate. hazard to low fuel overall Reduce Very high Measurable Measurable Highest objectives Priority structure, usually within wildfire mitigation zones. Planned burn required to mitigate hazard orsimplify vegetation within protection zones. Planned burn required to protect life and/orproperty, usually locations. the remaining fuel inat least three assess visually to Go, to isReady Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your Step 5of theQPWS Planned Burn Or 2010b). Assessment Guide(Hines et al. Post fire: use theOverall Fuel Hazard

How to beassessed Priority assessment 5 tonnes/ha. is> load Fuel Or moderate. reduced to low or hazard has not been Not Achieved: Fuel < 5tonnes/ha. reduced to Fuel load has been Or low ormoderate. has beenreduced to Achieved: Fuel hazard How to bereported

(in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 100 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned zone). mitigation (for wildfire 60–80 % zone). (for protection 90–100 % Burn c. b. a. Choose oneof these options:

ground burnt within visual field. area estimating thepercentage of metres through planned burn burn area), walk 300ormore landform andecosystems within account of the variability of In three locations (that take of area burnt. thereby determine thepercentage with GPS, plot onParkInfo and Map theboundaries of burnt areas vantage points,orfrom theair. vegetation burnt—from oneormore Visual estimation of percentage of sufficiently limited). wildfire would not be of any subsequent and rate of spread area (theextent extend across the of unburnt corridors burnt. Highproportion Not Achieved: <50% 50–60 %burnt. Partially Achieved: burnt. Achieved: 60–80% zone Wildfire mitigation sufficiently limited). wildfire would not be of any subsequent and rate of spread area (theextent extend across the of unburnt corridors burnt. Highproportion Not Achieved: <80% would still belimited. subsequent wildfire of spread of any the extent andrate 80–90 %burnt, Partially Achieved: > 90%burnt. Achieved: Protection zone 8/05/13 9:10 AM 100 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 101 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 101 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) • • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters •

group but generally towards thelower endof that range. undertaken within thefire frequency recommended for thefire vegetation Wildfire mitigation zones: Planned burns within wildfire mitigation zones are maintain arelatively low fuel hazard. are carried out as soonas possible afterthey can carry afire inorder to Protection zones: Fuel management planned burns within protection zones trunks). sufficient to reduce elevated fuels and bark hazard (i.e. allow fire to run up a regime that will promote low in amoderate highseverity. to Following this initial burn, aimto reinstate fuels (e.g. whenfirst establishing aprotection zone) theinitial fire may result Low Protection zones: 90percent burnt. andoccasionally moderate. Where there is ahighfuel load orelevated severity planned burns. Severity should be 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 102 amount of fuel, good soil moisture is desirable to: Soil moisture: While theaimof hazard reduction burning is to reduce the during hazard reduction burns. Cloud cover may also beof use. moderate-severity burn. This will reduce thepotential impact oninfrastructure Relative humidity (RH):Burn during highrelative humidity to achieve alow to burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • • • Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):80–100 GFDI: <11 will allow agood coverage of fire. extinguish the fire. Daytime conditions where overnight conditions will Season: Burn intheearly seasons dry

conditions). favour grasses over woody species (woody species create undesirable fuel reduce thelikelihood of awoody thicket developing post-fire minimise theimpact onhabitat trees, soils andotherenvironmental values reduce scorch height andlimit leaf-drop post-fire Western (drier)areas Wind speed: <23km/hr DI (KBDI):80–180 GFDI: <11 hazard inthe very late season. dry fire. Avoid periods of increasing fire enough to ensure agood coverage of Season: Burn whenconditions are dry Eastern (moister) areas 8/05/13 9:10 AM 102 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 103 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 103 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns • • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? •

spread. (grasses, leaf litter, twigs etc), while minimising fire severity and rate of residence timeandreduction of available fuels, particularly fine fuels in continuous fuel. This tactic ensures thefire has agreater amount of result inamore complete coverage of anarea anda better consumption A low intensity backing fire is usually slow moving, andwill generally of both. prevailing wind ontheday, use eitherspot orstrip lighting oracombination promote alow intensity backing fire. Depending onavailable fuels andthe Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge to contain thefire and loads etc. throughout theburn dueto changes inweather conditions, topography, fuel will result inalower intensity fire. The spacing of the spots will regularly vary merge andcreate hot junction zones) while increased spacing between spots fuels. Spots closer together will result inalineof agreater intensity (as spots particularly where there is ahighaccumulation of available and volatile Spot ignitioncan beused effectively to alter thedesired intensity of afire zones with thepreviously lit backing fire creating higher- intensity junction windward edge as thefire edge. If theplanned burn area is narrow, use caution whenlighting the intensity, contain the smoky side first, thenspot light thewindward (clear) and beaware of environmental impacts that may result. To create higher intensity may berequired indiscontinuous orelevated fuel.Use with caution While alow intensity backing fire is recommended, arunning fire of ahigher

and thepotential of fire escaping through a spot-over.

intensity may increase whenthefire converges 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 104 Nick Smith, QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2012). retaining alevel of patchiness leading to increased diversity. impeding wildfires later intheseason andmeeting conservation outcomes such as spaced incendiaries. Intheright conditions techniques such as this will assist in Targeting rank orstandover grasses through broad-scale aerial ignitionwith widely 8/05/13 9:10 AM 104 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 105 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 105 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • Key indicators of Indigenous cultural heritage sites: Awareness of theenvironment preparation will these helpto places, identify items andissues. and Heritage Protection (EHP)European cultural heritage branch during fire strategy (DATSIMA) Indigenous cultural heritage branch andtheDepartment of Environment the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andMulticultural Affairs will not bespecifically identifiedin text oron maps). Consulting Traditional Owners, to note that somelocations will beculturally sensitive andtherefore theirlocation management. The local fire strategy shouldthese locations identify (it is important sites, items andplaces of Indigenous orEuropean heritage whenplanning fire It is important to have knowledge of thelocation of significant cultural heritage Issue 2:Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • • •

bundles, wrapped material orbones inside. Rock shelters, especially if they have rock paintings, stone tools, artefact debris scattered ontheground can indicate thepresence of shell middens. Raised mounds (especially with visible shell debris) orthepresence of shell The presence of burial sites. stories are identified. Natural features which have significant cultural meaning andare associated with The presence of trees that have beenscarred orcarved. scattered ontheground. Arrangements of stones orraised patterns earth ontheground, orartefacts Engravings ontrees orrock faces. (2004). David Cameron, DNRM bases. up around their to fire if fuel builds potentially vulnerable shelters) are or temporary containers, canoes, trees (e.g. to make such as scarred Indigenous markings 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 106 Unspecified location. David Cameron, DNRM, to smoke impacts. material vulnerable may contain cultural asthis such Caves Bribie Island (2005). David Cameron, DNRM, operations. vehicle ormachinery line construction or radiant heat, fire vulnerable from are potentially midden. Middens the presence of a usually indicates a mound structure ground or visible in strewn across the Shell material (2002). Atherton David Cameron, DNRM, significance. have cultural heritage arranged are likely to been purposefully that appear to have Rocks ontheground 8/05/13 9:10 AM 106 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 107 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 107 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • • • • • Key indicators of European cultural heritage sites:

Markers from early European explorers are located. Historic fence-lines remain. Survey andtrigpoints present. Military artefacts such as old equipment andused ammunition are found. such as winders (timber tramways) andtimberjinkers (timberliftingwagon). Forestry artefacts including marked trees (shield trees), andold machinery iron orwood). Quarries andold minesites (sometimes deepholes covered with corrugated dumps, old machinery andiron debris. stumps, old fence posts, old stock yards, tombstones, wells, graves, bottle Presence of building remains, corrugated iron shacks, wooden house Dogwood CreekDogwood (2005). David Cameron, DNRM, base of thetree. built uparound the has fuel if especially be vulnerable to fire on trees. These may plaques, andpaint sometimes left marks, European explorers Sometimes early 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 108 prior to implementing theburn. fuel reduction (e.g. raking) is required tactics, chipped lines ormechanical particular mild weather conditions, When planning burns, consider if burning ormechanical fuel reduction. wildfire through appropriate planned fire, andneed to beprotected from areas, these are often vulnerable to Because of theirlocation inforested from huts andfire towers). campsite remains (andotherruins this timberwinch, springboard trees, timber getting equipment such as site), road signs (andothersigns), shield trees (this onemarks anapiary significance including from the top left: items that are now of cultural heritage getting operations left anumberof In bushland areas, forestry andtimber David Cameron, DNRM, various locations. 8/05/13 9:10 AM 108 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 109 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 109 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • Discussion • • • • •

heritage place (e.g. fences orgravestones). the place that does not contain objects orareas related to thecultural management of aheritage place involve burning only thearea surrounding places onNPRSRestate (DERM2010a,2010b)which recommends fire Be aware of QPWS policy andprocedures Management of cultural heritage units. people are, refer to theDATSIMA and/orEHPcultural heritage coordination societies andcultural heritage If experts. you are unsure whotheappropriate people may include Traditional Owners, indigenous rangers, historical there is aduty of care to ensure appropriate people are involved. Appropriate When planning burns inandadjacent to sensitive cultural heritage places Cultural Heritage Act 2003(Queensland Government 2004). sites). Also refer to theDuty of Care Guidelines provided intheAboriginal coordination units of DATSIMA (for Indigenous sites) orEHP(for European the location orartefacts have consult beenreported, thecultural heritage in place andtreat thelocation with respect. If you are not sure whether Do notdisturb any cultural heritage site orartefact.Leave all materials shelters) use wind to direct smoke away from thesite. For sites that may beimpacted by smoke (e.g. rock paintings androck broader-scale planned burns. burnt edge by backing fire away from these locations. Use this tactic prior to For larger culturally significant sites it may benecessary to create asecure completely undisturbed. of these. If it is not necessary to reduce fuel it is preferable to leave thesite levels thoughmanual, mechanical, orherbicide means oracombination To manage impacts from flameand radiant heat, consider reducing fuel damage paintings). the surface of rock sites, art flame can crack or burn items andsmoke can contact with flames, radiant heat andsmoke (e.g. radiant heat can exfoliate The key risks to cultural heritage sites andartefacts from fire are direct artefacts andsites. spread andseverity of wildfires giving better protection to cultural heritage landscape proactively managed with mosaic burning will helplimit the Large scale wildfires are known to damage cultural heritage values. A 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 110 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? significant. heritage cultural of item orsite No impact on Very high Measurable Measurable Highest objectives Priority significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation values. within protection zones to protect life, property, andconservation Fuel management through the implementation of planned burns after fire. supporting photographs before and Visual inspection of site oritems with How to beassessed Priority assessment site oritem. was someimpact on Not Achieved: There on site oritem. Achieved: Noimpact How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM 110 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 111 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 111 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites Landscape mosaic Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Soil moisture: Ensure good soil moisture or radiant heat coming into contact with sensitive cultural heritage sites. Wind direction: Closely monitor thewind direction to avoid smoke, flameand/ Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):80–120 GFDI: <18 FFDI: <11 Season: Favour early season burning andmoist conditions avoided. and following burns sothat undesirable conditions andweather changes can be When planning aburn it is important to beaware of weather predictions priorto What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters

heritage artefacts andsites. hazard, limit thespread andseverity of wildfires andbetter protect cultural A landscape proactively managed with mosaic burning will helpreduce fuel vegetation group within theplanned burn area. Be guidedby thefire zoning plan and recommendations for the specific fire Low Burn within theparameters recommended for thefire vegetation group. -severity fires will be less likely to impact on cultural heritage sites. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 112 • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn, tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? •

is preferable to leave thesite completely undisturbed. radiation. Only undertake manual fuel management if required, otherwise it away from thesite to limit potential impacts from smoke, flameandheat raking, clearing (e.g. rake-hoe line),trimming orleaf blowing of surface fuels sites), assess theneedfor manual reduction of fuel. This may include the planned burns near sites of cultural significance (e.g. scar trees and rock art be sufficient to protect cultural heritage items. However, prior to undertaking Manual fuel management. Usually, burning inappropriate conditions should edge. that may result. To create higherintensity, spot light thewindward (clear) or uncured fuels. Use with caution andbeaware of environmental impacts intensity may berequired initially where there is anaccumulation of surface While alow intensity backing fire is recommended, arunning fire of ahigher the chance of highseverity junction zones developing. as it will promote aslow moving andmanageable low severity fire andlimit next to asite of interest. Widely spaced spots are preferred inthis instance particularly where there is anaccumulation of available and volatile fuels Spot ignition.Can beused effectively to alter the desired intensity of afire 8/05/13 9:10 AM 112 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 113 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 113 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites Natural features such as springs andwaterholes can have significant meaning to Mark Parsons, QPWS, Fishers Creek (2010). Using spot ignitionandstill conditions directed smoke away from this rock site. art QPWS, Bulleringa National Park. Traditional Owners. A very highpriority should beplaced ontheircareful management. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 114 • • • Key indicators Awareness of theenvironment become more difficult to reintroduce. process known as woody thickening. As woody thickening progresses, fires forests can become more closed andgrasslands can become woodlands; a competition andshading. If left unmanaged, thestructure of woodlands and other species may reduce thehealth anddiversity of theground layer through Petalostigma spp., gutta percha Excoecaria parvifolia, Gardenia vilhelmii, or Acaciaspp., spp. andinsomeareas currant bush Carissa lanceolata, quinine In theGulf Plains bioregion anoverabundance of Melaleuca Eucalyptus spp., Issue 3:Reduce overabundant saplings andseedlings Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). unmanaged will shade out grasses. ironwood Erythrophleum chlorostachys has thickened inthemid-stratum andif left Woody thickening can occur where fires have beenabsent orinfrequent. This Cooktown

becoming difficult to seethrough. Overabundant young trees are inthemidstratum. The midstratum is trees are scattered. layer plants. It is not an issue if thearea affected is small orisolated or young Significant numbers of young trees are beginning to emerge above ground health, diversity andabundance dueto shading. Grasses are becoming scattered, otherground layer plants are declining in

8/05/13 9:10 AM 114 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 115 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 115 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings This gutta percha has thickened dueto highgrazing pressure. leading to reduced fuels for Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2009). an area can assist indetermining if thickening is anissue. location it is infact anatural canopy. Understanding thepast land use andfire history of Sometimes trees such as thetooth brush Grevillea can appear to have thickened. Inthis Bernie English, DAFF, Croydon District (2008). planned burning. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 116 • • Discussion • • • •

fire will help determine if thickening has become aproblem. areas. Knowing thefire history of anarea and individual species response to the fire vegetation group inwhich they occur is adequate to maintain these natural fire ecology cycle. Implementing fire management appropriate to In someareas, an abundance of someshrubs andtrees are partof the issue. this in assist competitive advantage. Spelling pasture for atimebefore andafterfire may ‘toxic’ plants such as somequininetrees allowing woody species the concentrating onregrowth grasses intherecently burnt areas andavoiding overabundant seedlings/saplings. This is compounded further by cattle grazing reduces fuel loads, preventing fires of sufficient severity to manage is combined with repeated early season burns oralack of fire. Stock Woody thickening becomes much more severe where heavy stock grazing and consider implementing aplanned burn as soonas conditions allow. observe areas where past management practices have caused thickening thickening where it already occurs. Following highrainfall events, carefully a problem. However, rainfall triggered seedling recruitment may compound been maintained orgrazing pressure is low, this does not usually result in most likely to occur during highrainfall years. Inareas where fires have For eucalypts andsomeacacias andothertrees, seedling recruitment is to kill them. timeframeshort (sometimes only asingle year) it may nolonger bepossible fire should beapplied as soon as fuel and conditions allow, as within a very may bekilled by fire. If seedlings are andappearobserved to bethickening a root stock. Seedlings are more vulnerable however andgiven sufficient fuel rather they will bereduced to below thegrassy layer andregenerate from Melaleuca andeucalypt saplings are unlikely to bekilled outright by fire; subsequent fires. kill rate andgermination of these species inorder to ascertain theneedfor to address theissue. Post fire observations are essential to monitor the have caused thickening, it is likely that more than onefire will be required fire. Where this has occurred inareas where past management practices stock can build up, which is likely to lead to amass germination event after Certain eucalypts can germinate enmasse. Intheabsence of fire, seed response to: An overabundance of saplings intheunderstorey may betriggered in • • •

thickening (dueto oneof theabove causes). a highrainfall event orsevere fire event which has exacerbated heavy grazing a lack of, oralong absence of fire 8/05/13 9:10 AM 116 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 117 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 117 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings What is thepriority for this issue? Bernie English, DAFF, Near Mt Garnet (2008). that these trees resulted from flooding that occurred in early 2008. Fire management of young trees inaeucalypt community (December 2008).It may be Medium Priority High Low has beensignificantly disrupted. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem structure andfunction recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 118 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned Select at least two of thefollowing as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes grassland. the size of Increase reduced. saplings are mid stratum > 75%of Measurable Measurable objectives woodland retreating. check if thegrassland is expanding/ points. Return to these locations to woodlands establish photo monitoring boundary of grasslands and At anumberof locations onthe components) scorched. overabundant saplings (above ground intensity), estimate thepercentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor How to beassessed eventually kill trees. may berequired to over along period * anumberof fires expand. to retreat/woodland Grassland continues Not Achieved: change. Partially Achieved: No retreating. expanding/woodland Achieved: Grassland Not Achieved: <25%. 25–75 %. Partially Achieved: Achieved: >75%. How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM 118 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 119 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 119 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings Fire severity (refer to relevant chapter for theseverity table): Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Other considerations • • • • Residence time What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • • •

seedlings. recommended fire frequency for atime to manage overabundant saplings/ In somecases it may be sufficient to apply fires at the lower end of the outcomes until overabundant saplings/seedlings are controlled. More than oneplanned burn will berequired to manage this issue. Monitor As much of thearea dominated by midstratum saplings as possible. for somespecies, where fuel loads are available. base of overabundant saplings/seedlings are agood management technique Slower moving backing fires that create ahigh residence timearound the group beresumed (refer to relevant chapter). Once the area has recovered, the recommended regime for the fire vegetation create amoderate to high-severity fire. of newseedlings, follow-up planned burn as soonas enoughfuel builds to to ascertain theneedfor subsequent fires. If theinitial fire triggers a flush It is important to observepost fire germination, regeneration and kill rates A fire regime of repeated low-severity burns will exacerbate the issue. severity burns. as this will exhaust fuel andreduce opportunities for subsequent higher- necessary. Use high-severity fire with caution. Avoid lower-severity fire, Where young trees are taller than 1metre, ahigh-severity fire might be Moderate for most situations where young trees are less than 1metre tall. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 120 suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? low. Wind speed: <23km/hr. Winds > 15km/hrcan helpfire wherecarry fuels are GFDI: 8–18 laterburns intheseason that will helpaddress overabundant saplings. surrounding healthy areas will make it much easier to achieve higherseverity Season: Progressive burning through the year as conditions allow in What weather conditions should Iconsider? • •

reducing these overabundant seedlings/saplings. rate of spread are kept to aminimum.Greater residence timeis useful in amount of residence time at thebase of theplant, while fire intensity and backing fire (lit against the wind onthesmoky edge) ensures agreater A backing fire with good residence time.For somespecies aslow moving fuel. burns may berequired. Poorer soils will take alonger timeto accumulate carry through moist orinconsistent fuels. Inthis instance follow-up planned Line orstrip ignitionis used to create afire of higherintensity or to helpfire surface fuels dueto grazing orshading orif thethicket is well developed. intensity may berequired initially where there is alack of surface andnear largely dependant upontheheight of thesaplings. A While amoderate severity fire is recommended to address this issue, this is running fire of ahigher 8/05/13 9:10 AM 120 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 121 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 121 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds shrubland/woodlands inwhich fires become difficult to reintroduce. native species, form dense thickets andeventually replace grasslands with Prickly acacia is particularly damaging to grasslands where it can shade out and is able to form dense stands. similar circumstances to parkinsonia but can also invade opengrasslands dry Vachellia farnesiana (also known as mimosa bush orprickly mimosa) grows in woodland creek anddry beds. making fire difficult to apply. It is usually found inriparian areas, floodplain Rubber vine has theability to smothertrees andshrubs andshade out grasses through displacement of native species, erosion andclogging of watercourses. and inwetlands, endangering many threatened species andcommunities Parkinsonia forms dense thickets particularly along water courses, floodplains assist inthecontrol of somespecies. indica is causing considerable concern dueto therapidity of its spread. Fire may mesquite Prosopis spp. are also found but are less common. NeemAzadirachta bioregion. Otherwoody weeds such as Chineeapple Ziziphus mauritianaand and prickly acacia Vachellia nilotica are common within theGulf Plains Vachellia farnesiana (sometimes known as prickly mimosa ormimosa bush) Rubber vine Issue 4:Reduce woody weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora , parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata, 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 122 using fire orfire alone would be insufficient: Key indicators of woody weeds insituations where care should betaken in • • • • Key indicators of where woody weeds can bemanaged with fire: Awareness of theenvironment Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, 30kmeast of Hughenden (2011). to control thesaplings andseedlings. However fire is much less effective on mature plants. Prickly acacia is of particular concern to native grasslands. If detected early, fire can be used • • • • •

of control methods is required. Control of woody weeds can not beachieved using fire alone.A combination infrastructure. Woody weeds are within oradjacent to fire-sensitive cultural sites or There is arisk of fire outside the burn plot (e.g. spotting across a creek). limited. Woody weeds occur infire-sensitive vegetation andfire spread cannot be Woody weeds occur inareas of insufficient fuel to sustain fire. parkinsonia affected with parkinsonia dieback). as acontrol method(e.g. rubber vine is infected with rubber vine rust or Biocontrol agents may bepresent andincrease theeffectiveness of fire Grass fuel crumbles inthehand meaning it is sufficiently cured to fire.carry the occurrence of woody weeds. Grass orforbland fuels are still sufficiently continuous to firecarry despite in fire-sensitive vegetation. Woody weeds occur infire-adapted vegetation orfire extent canbelimited 8/05/13 9:10 AM 122 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 123 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 123 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds (2003). Moorrinya National Park Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Moorrinya National Park. control of parkinsonia on has beenput into the Considerable effort (2003). Moorrinya National Park Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Parkinsonia flowers.

8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 124 has since beeneradicated. Prickly mimosa (mimosa bush) likes wetter sites such as this dam bank. This infestation Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Moorrinya National Park (2009). Upstart (2008). Barry Nolan, QPWS, Cape extent. produces fires of limited flammable gel. The gel aerial ignitionusing fire is not desired is success inareas where technique used with by ‘heli-torch’. One Rubber vinecontrol 8/05/13 9:10 AM 124 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 125 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 125 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Results of successful rubber vine control inafloodplain eucalypt community. Thefire was • • • • • • Discussion Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). intense enoughto kill mature rubber vine andsmaller trees.

treatment orincrease accessibility. backing fire into the woody weeds may reduce thearea requiring chemical chemical control could also beuseful where grasses abut aninfestation. A mechanical orchemical control may benecessary. Acombination of fire and In areas where rubber vine orparkinsonia have shaded out native grasses, the best chance of re-establishing. when thesoil is moist to allow native species, especially grasses andforbs, Planned burning inareas with woody weeds should always beconducted than mature plants. Young plants/seedlings of woody weeds are more easily controlled with fire much easier to control at early stages. Care needs to betaken infestations to identify of newweeds, as they are seeds surviveintheseedbank orplants resprout. is dependant onspecies). Follow-up fires may be required should some plants of somewoody weeds where sufficient fuel is available (success rate A single fire can be used to reduce oreliminate seeds, seedlings and young do socould result inworsening theexisting infestation. ensure accurate identification before trialing any control method.Failure to Many species of woody weeds appear similar andcare should betaken to 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 126 Rubber vine Parkinsonia • • • • • • • • •

a methodof control. previously have extinguished, which may increase theeffectiveness of fire as increase residence timeorcarry thefire through areas where it may allowing grasses to grow. If this fuel occurs adjacent to thestems it can the rust increases fuel depthbelow infected plants andopens thecanopy vine rust occurs. While rarely killing mature plants, leaf-drop caused by Using fire to control rubber vine is more successful in areas where rubber other areas have beenreported. See tactics below. In someareas this methodhas been very successful but mixed results in flammable petroleum based gel is applied directly to the plant thenignited. communities, inaccessible areas orwhere chemical use is not viable. The A ‘heli-torch’ can beused to control rubber vine infire-sensitive or infrequent (Mackey et 1996). al. of organic material inthesoil.It is restricted to areas where fires are absent Rubber vine is not restricted to disturbed vegetation andprefers agood layer species, andchemical control may beabetter option). these areas depending onfuel availability andlikely impacts onfire-sensitive use fire with care andlimit fire spread (it may not be possible to use fire in should beconsidered partof rubber vine control. But infire-sensitive areas Fire is known to be very successful inkilling rubber vine. Therefore fire be more susceptible to control with fire. through thesoil infecting nearby trees. Parkinsonia plants with dieback may of dieback. Inwell established areas of dieback, thefungus will spread Brown staining within thestems andbranches may also beagood indicator the tips of thebranches, with dead leaves remaining attached to theplant. Parkinsonia affected with thedieback will appear to bedying back from promote therapid spread of this pathogen amongst thesurviving plants. Where ‘parkinsonia dieback’ (asoil-borne fungus) is present, fire seems to the viability of seeds remaining suspended ontheplant. Fire will kill seeds onorclose to theground andhas beenshown to reduce (there is still much to learn about fire and parkinsonia). observations, as this information is useful to guidefuture fire management affected to varying degrees. When trialing fire to control parkinsonia, record Parkinsonia is broadly distributed within thebioregion with most areas tracks andshould bewashed down afterexposure. Fire vehicles andmachinery can aidseedspread along firelines roads and Be aware of weed hygiene issues whenburning inareas with woody weeds. fire in to these communities. sensitive communities. Dead plant material orhighseverity fire could draw Care should betaken using fire where fire-adapted communities abut fire- 8/05/13 9:11 AM 126 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 127 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 127 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Mesquite Mimosa bush orprickly mimosa • • • Prickly acacia • •

pulled andallowed toout. dry sufficient fuel remains for fire to carry, orin areas that have first been chain- shrub-form species. It is more effective at low andmediumdensities where of mesquite Prosopis pallida, but can also beused inthecontrol of some Fire can beused to control mesquite, is most effective onthetree-form suggests it is also common onflats inthenorth-west. indicate it’s occurrence within thesoutherngulf. Anecdotal evidence information is available on its distribution. Records from theherbarium response to fire. Vachellia farnesiana is found within thebioregion but little layer andprevent dense infestations. Record observations of this species observations suggest repeated fire may keep this species low intheground from thebase, however little published studies are available. Anecdotal Fire may not beauseful control methodfor this species as it resprout’s management as seedlings andsaplings are much more susceptible to fire. from thebase. Early detection of aninfestation is thekey to successful particularly fire resistant. Where top kill has occurred they tend to resprout Prickly acacia seedlings are known to be fire killed however mature plants are fires inmesquite with ahigh fuel load remaining have beeneffective. Fires needto beof ahighseverity. DNRM(2003)found that late season dry following wet season and follow-up control may berequired. of 2cm; however seedlings from undamaged seeds may appear afterthe Fire can also assist indepleting thesoil seedbank by killing seeds to adepth 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 128 What is thepriority for this issue? Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Chillagoe (2012). may quickly regrow. Like other woody weeds chinee apple, seedlings are susceptible to fire but mature plants Medium Priority High recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:11 AM 128 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 129 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 129 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Choose from below as appropriate: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes plants. or mature and young saplings seedlings, number of reduction in > 60% Measurable Measurable objectives weeds killed. estimate thepercentage of woody the flight path inthree locations and If using the‘heli-torch’ method,retrace Or been killed. saplings/seedlings/mature tree have after fire estimate what percentage of density within burn area), one year the variability of landform andweed three locations (that take account of conditions, oragrowing season): In suitable germination/ establishment Before andafter theburn (after

How to beassessed fire was too severe. the plants and yet the have killed most of good outcome if you *It is not necessarily a < 40%plants killed*. Not Achieved: killed*. 40–60 %plants Partially Achieved: plants killed*. Achieved: >60% How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 130 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned monitor thereduction in rubber vine. Photo monitoring points are established onFinucane Island National Park to ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time weeds. of woody abundance reduction in Significant • • • • • Victoria Protocol [Parks Victoria 1995]): using thefollowing criteria (from Parks define thedensity of theinfestation conditions andgrowing season): suitable germination/establishment Before andafter theburn (after option is given here. Protocol (Parks Victoria 1995).One Pest Plant Mapping andMonitoring publications such as theParks Victoria Seek advice from resource staff and/or

(or nearly so)of target weed. Dense (>75%)=monoculture cover. proportions of native to ¾weed Medium-dense (51–75%)=equal weed to native species. weed cover to equal proportions of Medium (25–50%cover) =1/4 abundance than target weed. species have much greater Light (5–24%cover) =Native plantsrare. very Rare (0–4%cover) = Target weed density gets worse. category orweed change indensity Not Achieved: No category’. ‘drops’ one‘density Weed infestation Partially Achieved: the fire). the fire to light after medium-dense before (e.g. goes from ‘density categories’ infestation ‘drops’ two Achieved: Weed 8/05/13 9:11 AM 130 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 131 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 131 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Rubber vine can bedense inareas onBulleringa National Park. Notice thescrambling • • • • Key factors What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2010). tree, eventually killing it. nature of therubber vine as it reaches into thetree. Without control it will smotherthe

regime for thefire vegetation group. Continue monitoring the issue over time. remove theinfestation. Once resolved, re-instate therecommended fire the seedbank). Insomecases fires further may be required to completely control (e.g. mature plants have re-sprouted orseedlings emerged from Apply afollow upburn if theobservations indicate that theissue is not under the issue. vegetation group inwhich woody weeds occur may besufficient to control In somecases, applying therecommended fire frequency for thefire once aninfestation is detected to increase its effectiveness. vulnerable to fire. Planned burning should be conducted as soon as possible Seeds, seedlings andsaplings of most woody weeds are thelife stages most (to scorch plants). This is species dependant. fire is required to kill mature trees althoughseverity can also beimportant The principal factor insuccessful control is residence time. Slow-moving 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 132 have beenconducted at 30–40ºC and40–60percent humidity, following rain. humidity and30ºC).Inthesoutherngulf successful burns targeting rubber vine been achieved using low humidity andhightemperatures (e.g. 20percent Other considerations: Insomewestern areas, greater woody weed control has fire will carry). infestation (denser infestation may require somefanning by wind sothat the Wind speed: <23km/hr Variable depending onobjective anddensity of the DI (KBDI):80–180 GFDI: <20 Season: Early toandoccasionally middry late dry burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • Fire severity

weed occurs. within therecommendations for thefire vegetation group inwhich the woody in combination with highsoil moisture. Fire severity should generally remain a slow moving backing fire with good residence timeat the base of the plant, Low scorched may result inabetter kill rate for somespecies. A moderate highseverity to fire may be required to ensure the canopy is to moderate to . Inotherspecies best results have beenachieved utilising 8/05/13 9:11 AM 132 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 133 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 133 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds • • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • •

act as elevated fuels. to dead rubber vine plants which remain hanging inthecanopy as they may mechanical methods could beused. Care should be taken whenapplying fire out grasses limiting fuel available for fire, initial herbicide treatment or As partof acontrol program. Inareas where dense woody weeds shade of low fuel ordense thickets orincrease scorch of trees. A running fire of ahigherseverity may berequired to carry fire through areas sufficient to impedethe passage of later fires. breaks orearlier-season burning having established areas of lower fuel the first rains. Containment of storm burns relies onimpending rain, natural Storm burning. Burns undertaken inthestorm season around thetimeof rubber vine. has details of this andothersuccessfully used tactics for themanagement of lighting’ could possibly beused with caution. Etheridge Shire Council (2011) communities with dense infestations othertechniques such as ‘central not ignite while thewoody weeds areenoughto dry burn. Infire adapted between ensuring thesurrounding vegetation is moist enoughthat it will moist to wet to ensure the fire doesn’t spread. A balance will need to bemet sensitive areas. Inriparian areas thesurrounding vegetation needs to be aerial incendiary using gelled gasoline to ignite theplants directly infire Aerial incendiary with a‘heli-torch’ may helpcontrol theissue. This involves killing seeds, seedlings, young andsomemature plants. a greater residence timeat ground level andhas proven to besuccessful in with good soil moisture (andpresence of sufficient surface fuels), ensures in theunderstorey, aslow moving, low to moderate-severity backing fire A low to moderate severity backing fire. Where woody weeds are scattered 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 134 courses andutility easements. tend to occur as aresult of disturbance andspread along firelines, roads, water grass you are dealing with andwhat its fire response is prior to burning. They it can beeffective as partof acontrol program. It is important to know which While fire may not bea recommended management tool for somegrass species, can carry fire into fire-sensitive vegetation resulting in considerable damage. death andloss of habitat features with flow oneffects to species. Exotic grasses which leads to increased fire severity and spread. This results ingreater tree have theability to increase fuel loads, fire intensity, spotting andflameheight presence is detected early. Note: beonthelook out for newly forming stands; control is much easier if their Guinea hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis cv. Olive concern. Otherhigh-biomass grasses considered emerging weeds are olive established inCape York, is climatically suited to theGulf Plains andaserious quadrivalvis. The latter two are currently present. Gamba grass, already well Cenchrus grass Andropogon buffel gayanus, andgrader ciliaris grass Themeda stands. High-biomass grasses of concern intheGulf Plains are gamba grass Exotic grasses are capable of outcompeting native species to form dominant Issue 5:Manage high-biomass grasses • • • • Key indicators Awareness of theenvironment

Lots of mass and/ordead material. Generally taller than native species. Presence of single species dominated stands. infestation. The presence of high-biomass grasses, usually occurring inadense Megathyrsus maximus and thatch grass Hyparrhenia rufa , para Urochloa mutica, . These grasses. These 8/05/13 9:11 AM 134 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 135 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 135 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Normanton (2011). A close upof theflowering head and clump mass of buffel grass. Jubilee Pocket (2011). Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Grader grass seedhead. 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 136 • • Discussion • • • • •

and Fairfax 2003). with herbicide and insomeinstances grazing (Melzer andPorter2002;Butler margin. Othertechniques which may beeffective include slashing, spraying to burn away from thenon-target community andlimit edge effects onthe within thesite andinsurrounding areas by implementing appropriate tactics of fuel management. This may involve implementing mild or‘cool’ fires both fire sensitive communities) the aimof the land manager oftenbecomes one Once anarea has beenimpacted by invasive grasses (inparticular within firelines andshould be washed down after exposure. biomass grasses. Fire vehicles andmachinery can aidseedspread along Be aware of weed hygiene issues whenplanned burning in areas with high Queensland. fire and record themin ParkInfo ortheinformationreport to Biosecurity encouraged to record observations regarding these species’ response to ability of these grasses to invade which is still poorly understood. You are There is arelationship between fire timing, frequency andseverity andthe damaging to fire sensitive communities. just highbiomass grasses inmostly monospecific stands) is also potentially communities. Be aware that acombination of dense invasive grasses (not fragmentation of theextent and/orloss of apopulation, of fire sensitive causing theloss of mature trees. This contributes to thegradual decline and during conditions) dry carrying into thecanopy of thecommunity and sensitive communities andalso increase therisk of wildfires (particularly High biomass andotherinvasive grasses cause theprogressive loss of fire conditions which may favour its andfurther spread. promoted orkilled) andotherfactors such as fire severity typeand weather occur become familiar with theresponse of thegrass to fire (e.g. if it is Prior to undertaking planned burns inareas where highbiomass grasses with wildfire. conditions with planned fire is more desirable than allowing them to burn be considered. Insomesituations, burning highbiomass grasses under mild however therisk of wildfire later producing aneven higherseverity fire must due to thelikely increase infire severity andthepotential to promote them; In many cases, it is desirable to avoid burning highbiomass invasive grasses established. if theirpresence is detected andaddressed early before it has become biomass grass infestations (Melzer andPorter2002). Control is ofteneasier (e.g. roadsides) andareas adjacent to ordown stream from existing high in disturbed areas, particularly those where disturbance is ongoing Be onthelook out for newly forming stands andbeespecially vigilant 8/05/13 9:11 AM 136 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 137 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 137 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses • • • Cenchrus grass Buffel ciliaris • • • •

up to two years to germinate. when sown onburnt ground. Grass seeds sown onunburnt ground can take Buffel grass is promoted further by fire as seeds germinate more quickly been observedto occur with increased grazing pressure (Eyre et 2009). al. creating adisturbance which favours its spread. The same phenomenonhas fuel loads andthus damage to remnant vegetation, at thesame time buffel grass and hot fires (Butler and Fairfax 2003), in which buffel increases ‘positive feedback’ loophas beendescribed for therelationship between Fire aloneis not known to beaneffective tool to manage buffel grass. A season wildfires. (Miller et 2010).It al. cures later season inthedry thus promoting late has theability to carry afire at much intervals shorter than native grasses conditions suitable for germination (e.g. good soil moisture). Buffel grass advantage over native grasses which lived areandrely shorter on The regenerative traits of Buffel grass means that it has acompetitive et 2010). al. conditions (e.g. consecutive years of above average summer rainfall) (Miller It may beslow to establish but will spread quickly afterfavourable seasonal may live upto 15–20 years), that has become widespread intheGulf Plains. Buffel grass is along-lived perennial invasive grass (individual tussocks year (e.g. earlier orlater intheseason). may provide theopportunity to conduct plan burns at differing times of the soil moisture andwhenbuffel grass is green andunlikely to carry afire. This consideration should begiven to burning adjacent areas whenthere is good grasses andtends to remain greener for longer periods of time.Careful The curing rate for buffel grass differs from that of native tussock compete with native species over time(Chamberlain 2003). it stores reserves at that time.Late summer fires may reduce its ability to At theendof thegrowing season, buffel grass is more susceptible to fire as height). it poses athreat by altering fuel dynamics (connectivity, biomass and Where buffel grass occurs within oradjacent to fire sensitive communities, in achieving alow severity burn. of alow germinate enmasse afterfire and rain. Any fire applied to buffel should be site will needto becontinued for sometimeas buffel grass will usually as spraying orgrazing. Be aware that follow upspraying of theaffected control measure, fire may assist in facilitating other control methods such The use of fire to control buffel grass is oftendebated. While not adirect severity. Using night time burns where moisture is highmay assist 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 138 Guinea andthatch grass grass Para • • • grass Grader • • • • • •

fire andencroachment into riparian zones. the season for a variety of reasons including therisk of creating highseverity If guinea grass must be burnt, timing is acritical factor. Avoid burning late in Post fire herbicide control has beeneffective but needs to beongoing. cover. through disturbance mechanisms andpossibly through reducing canopy grass. However, frequent fire (everyone to two years) promotes their spread Fire is not known to beaneffective tool to manage Guinea andthatch with post-fire chemical control of sucker shoots. season). Burning has beenfound to bemore effective if used incombination swales which have driedout (limited windows of opportunity inthelate biomass. Fire is more effective where thepara grass is within ephemeral of para grass plants andby temporarily removes thelarge bulk of para grass where it occurs inswamps anddrainage lines. Fire kills asmall proportion Fire can beused with partial success for themanagement of para grass Found inwetter areas such as sedgelands andsprings. Seedlings which germinate following fire should be sprayed with herbicide. be limited to >five years. If fire can not beavoided inareas of grader grass, the fire frequency should the burning will openuptheground layer andencourage seedgermination. the fire can beimplemented prior to annual seedset in late February/March, Fire is not considered to beaneffective tool to manage grader grass. Unless spread. can expose seedallowing favourable conditions for establishment and Grader grass is aweed of disturbance. Soil disturbance (e.g. road grading) can quickly take hold andensure they are dealt with as amatter of priority. catchments (but does occur elsewhere). Be aware of newinfestations which coast of about north Normanton andwithin theGilbert and Walsh River Grader grass has beenrecorded gulf inthenorthern plains adjacent to the 8/05/13 9:11 AM 138 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 139 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 139 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Buffel grass can recover quickly afterfire andoutcompete native grasses. Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Cloncurry area (2012). grass will increase fire intensity andflame height, contributing to tree death. A buffel grass infestation inagidgee Acacia cambagei woodland. The presence of buffel Justine Douglas, QPWS, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (2012). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 140 its height anddistinctive reddish colour wheninfruit. Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Jubilee Pocket (2012). severity whenburnt. Guinea grass is much taller than most native grass species andgreatly increases fire Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Blackbraes National Park (2008). Grader grass forming amonospecific stand amongst native grasses is easy to spot due to

8/05/13 9:11 AM 140 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 141 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 141 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Choose from below as appropriate: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? the burn. the result of increased as hasnot grass invasive of Distribution Measurable Measurable objectives Priority High be considered. effects can bemanaged andthepotential for effective control can (particularly where it is anewinfestation) sothat theirnegative It is important to beaware of thepresence of invasive grasses species. post burn distribution of theweed photographs. Compare thepre and the invasive grass inthe area ortake conditions): GPS theboundary of suitable germination/ establishment Before andafter theburn (after How to beassessed Priority assessment invaded areas. fuel loads in thenewly weed; will increase in thespread of the Significant advance Not Achieved: change. controlled) orno into burn area; easily individuals spread loads (e.g. scattered not increase fuel distribution; will of weed species Minor expansion Partially Achieved: the weed. in thedistribution of Achieved: Noincrease How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 142 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned Varies depending onspecies, refer to thediscussion above. Fire parameters grasses donot recover theiroriginal density. continue to monitor thesite to ensure it is not promoted andto ensure invasive When using fire to reduce thedensity of invasive grasses, it is important to ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time to low.to communities non-target adjacent to of fuels Reduction locations. the remaining fuel inat least three assess visually to Go, to isReady Burn Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your 2010b), or Step 5of theQPWS Planned Assessment Guide(Hines et al. Post fire: use theOverall Fuel Hazard reduced to low. hazard has not been Not Achieved: Fuel low. has beenreduced to Achieved: Fuel hazard 8/05/13 9:11 AM 142 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 143 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 143 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • • •

within thenon-target community. target community. Inbothinstances, ensure good soil moisture is present create alow intensity backing fire that travels down slope towards thenon- in low lying areas e.g. drainage lines, use thesurrounding topography to from thenon-target community. Where thenon-target community is present afternoon orat night will assist increating alow severity fire that burns away the grass is green, under mild conditions, early morning with dew, late Undertaking burning inareas adjacent to invasive grass infestations while a low intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. community incombination with favourable weather conditions, to promote lighting patterns (e.g. spot lighting with matches) along themargin of the Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Use appropriate dense. reducing theopportunity for somegrasses to spread orbecome increasingly Fire exclusion. Insomecases it is possible to completely exclude fire, fire intensity. spread are kept to aminimum.Lighting fires at night can assist indecreasing available fuels, particularly fine fuels, while ensuring fire intensity and rate of ensures thefire has agreater amount of residence timeand reduction of coverage of anarea andabetter consumption of available fuels. This tactic (against thewind ordown slope) will generally result inamore complete A low intensity backing fire. Aslow moving, low intensity backing fire topography andfuel loads. spots may vary throughout theburn dueto changes inweather conditions, spacing between spots will result inalower intensity. The spacing of the fire, particularly where there is a high biomass grass infestation. Increased Spot ignition.Can beused effectively to alter the desired intensity of a effective methodof control. Similarly, grazing can also reduce fuel loads. grasses followed upby chemical control of thenewshoots has beenan As partof acontrol program. Aninitial fire to reduce the biomass of invasive 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 144 Awareness of theenvironment weeds orcyclone damage occurs. if successive years of highrainfall have promoted fuels, orwhere fire-promoting from them,can enhance theirprotection. Their vulnerability to fire is increased communities are vulnerable, thetactics presented here such as burning away as moisture orinternal micro-climates andlow fuel loads. But where these if fire is used under appropriately mild conditions and/ordue to factors such and somedune communities. These communities are sometimes self-protecting Non-target fire vegetation groups include spring, vine thicket, acacia, mangrove vegetation communities Issue 6:Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire Rod Fensham, Queensland Herbarium, Currajong. guidelines to avoid peat fire. standing water is present orpeat is waterlogged. Refer to Chapter 5: Springs, for Springs are particularly vulnerable to even low severity fire whenpeat is dry. Ensure • • • • Indicators of fire encroachment risk:

The non-target community is within oradjacent to aplanned burn area. The non-target community is upslope of aplanned burn area. Invasive grasses orwoody weeds are invading fire-sensitive communities. extinguishes ontheedge of thefire vegetation group. Conditions are not mild enough orfuels sufficiently sparse to ensure fire 8/05/13 9:11 AM 144 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 145 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 145 Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities • • • • Discussion after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue?

Very high Priority while retaining mature habitat trees. communities inorder to promote structurally complex ground andmid-strata fire orat least minimise thefrequency andintensity of fire in many riparian and hence anincrease inthefire hazard. It is highly desirable to exclude and soil erosion andlead to greater production of fine fuel (mainly grass) may openupthecanopy. This inturn may increase therisk of weed invasion inhibits thedevelopment of structurally complex ground andmid-strata, and species and/orhabitat trees. Too frequent and/orsevere fire removes or Many riparian communities contain of ahighproportion fire-sensitive Issue 5). areas. If highbiomass grasses are present, use fire with caution (refer to contribute to thecontraction of fire-sensitive communities such as riparian The presence of invasive grasses increases theseverity of fire and may tactics may not berequired. fire-sensitive communities tend to self protect and additional protective Under appropriate planned burn conditions with good soil moisture, some fire-sensitive communities. one of thebest ways to reduce impacts of unplanned fire onnon-target and scale management of surrounding fire-adapted areas with mosaic burning is damage non-target andfire-sensitive fire vegetation groups. Proactive broad- (high fuel loads dueto successive highrainfall years), it has the potential to Because wildfire oftenoccurs orotherwiseunder dry unsuitable conditions important to avoid encroachment of fire. For burn proposals inareas with non-target communities, it is Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 146 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned edge). well defined (if there is a into theedge one metre thanfurther penetrates no Fire group. vegetation target fire of non- of margin No scorch Measurable Measurable objectives the edge. penetrated than further onemetre into and determine whetherthefire has of themargin inthree locations) sections (e.g. a100metre long section target community, orrepresentative soon after): walk the margin of the non- After theburn (immediately or very Or the air. one ormore vantage points,orfrom soon after): visual assessment from After theburn (immediately or very of margin scorched. locations) andestimate thepercentage long sectionof themargin inthree representative sections (e.g. a100m of thenon-target community or very soonafter):walk themargin After theburn (immediately or Or the air. one ormore vantage points,orfrom percentage of margins scorched from soon after): visual estimation of After theburn (immediately or very How to beassessed the edge. than onemetre into penetrates further Not Achieved: Fire the edge. than onemetre into penetrates nofurther Achieved: Fire > 25%scorched. Not Achieved: < 25%scorched. Partially Achieved: Achieved: Noscorch. How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM 146 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 147 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 147 Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities Landscape mosaic Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) • • Fire severity vegetation group. The below characteristics apply to fires inareas adjacent to thenon-target fire What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Soil moisture: Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group. Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group FFDI: Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? •

movement of unplanned fires into fire-sensitive communities. for thehigherendof therecommended mosaic, as this will helpmitigate the Use therecommended mosaic for thefire vegetation group being Aim burnt. tactics andmoisture conditions will helpto limit scorch of non-target areas. being burnt, ahigher-severity fire may be required, inwhich case appropriate help ensure good coverage. If there are overabundant saplings inthearea the objective of limited fire encroachment is achieved. A backing fire will A low on non-target andfire sensitive communities. mosaic burning is oneof thebest ways to reduce impacts of unplanned fire Proactive broad scale management of surrounding fire-adapted areas with -severity fire inthe adjacent fire-adapted community will help ensure 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 148 • • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

low-intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. patterns along themargin of the non-target community. This will promote a its boundary or it is upslope of a potential run of fire) use appropriate lighting (e.g. thenon-target community is tooto dry ensure fire will self-extinguish on down slope towards thenon-target community. If conditions are unsuitable surrounding topography to create alow intensity backing fire that travels target community is present inlow lying areas e.g. riparian system, use the Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Where thenon- moisture differentials. and generally self-extinguish dueto milder conditions overnight orhigher a low severity fire that may trickle along theedge of these communities communities undertaken late intheafternoon. This will assist with promoting Afternoon ignition—planned burning inareas adjacent to non-target spot orstrip lighting oracombination of both. available fuels andtheprevailing wind ontheday this may require either vegetation group to promote alow intensity backing fire. Depending on Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge of thenon-target fire communities. edge of low lying communities to protect margins when burning inadjacent Do not create arunning fire. Use low intensity perimeter burns from the Test burn mosaic across large areas. communities’ for specific guidelines on establishing and maintaining a Broad-scale fire management. Refer to tactics inChapter 1‘Eucalypt of interface to ensure non-target areas donot burn. 8/05/13 9:11 AM 148 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 149 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 149 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms • • • • The changed fuel conditions following acyclone orsevere storm may lead to: vegetation communities onhilltops andridges. ecosystem types, particularly heavily wooded forests andwoodlands and the Gulf Plains, cyclones andsevere storms may increase fire severity insome or allowing fires to acrosscarry areas which previously acted as fire breaks. In can also beexpected, increasing heavy fuel loads, impeding fire lineaccess limbs can beleft hanging in the canopy creating ladder fuel.Many fallen trees suspended above theground as leaves, fine leaf shred andbranches. Snapped event, thecanopy of trees andshrubs may bestripped, accumulating onor In theevent of asevere tropical cyclone (Category 3orhigher) severe storm Issue 7:Cyclones andsevere storms • • •

scorch) the needto restore canopy health stress priorto further (e.g. avoid canopy following acyclone altered fire behaviour during planned burning operations inthetwo years an increased fuel hazard near to assets andinfrastructure the potential for extensive orhighseverity wildfires to absent/silted fuels for atime. an inability to conduct planned burns orreduced wildfires insomeareas due forest closed opportunity to re-introduce fire into areas that have beentransitioning to certain periods dry fire-sensitive communities becoming vulnerable to fire encroachment during l Mount Is a Longreac h l Ca To irns wnsville l l Ma Ro ck ck ay hampto l n Bundaber l BRISBANE Gympie g l l l David Clark, QPWS (2011). bioregion. the Einasleigh Uplands area continued well into the destructive winds in February 2011.Note Coast Cassowary the Yasi which devastated caused by tropical cyclone region of wind damage Illustrating theextensive 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 150 Justine Douglas, QPWS, Blackbraes National Park (2011). with extensive damage to vegetation as indicated above. The impacts of cyclone Yasi (February 2011)were felt hundreds of kilometres inland 8/05/13 9:11 AM 150 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 151 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 151 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms hanging down. Fires could burn into thetree canopy by way of thebroken tree branches that are Leasie Felderhof, Firescape PtyLtd, Blackbraes National Park (2011). cyclone) at Blackbraes National Park with heavy timberremaining aftertheburn. Open woodland damage by cyclonic winds. Alow intensity burn (five months post Leasie Felderhof, Firescape PtyLtd, Blackbraes National Park (2011). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 152 • • • Discussion • • •

(Felderhof andPoon 2011). to protect against wildfire andmore intense fires to remove woody debris areas. Atrade-off is required between fires of low intensity to reduce fuel necessary however to reduce thespread of late season wildfires insome a numberof years for thefallen timberto beremoved. These burns are Early, low intensity burns may not ‘clean up thecountry’ andit will take conditions is thefollowing storm season. Also, they are less likely to stress canopy. The next best timeto utilise moist control andallow disorientated anddistressed fauna to find refuge areas. time. Such fires have good fuel consumption, are of low severity, easy to and humidconditions create slow moving, trickling fires with good residence The best timeto act onpost-cyclone fuel reduction is soonafterrain. Moist incursion may increase theheavy fuel load andresult ingreater wildfire risk. less tolerant of salt. Inareas, thecombined impact of wind andsalt water breach dunes andrush upwaterways andmay result inthedeath of plants inundate vegetation communities that are not salt tolerant. Storm surges can some periodaftertheevent.Inaddition storm surges during cyclones can the ground fuel beabsent following flooding, fires will beimpossible for recovery of theunderstory vegetation would Inany beprudent. case, should that ceasing orlimiting planned burning, at least for awhile, to enable fire guidelines following prolonged flooding are unavailable, it is thought silt deposition oralack of light andoxygen (Noble andMurphy 1975). While susceptible to prolonged flooding. Understory vegetation can be killed by The low, flat topography of much of theGulf Plains make the bioregion the chances of anintense fire front developing. are fallen trees andbranches inopencountry, but thewider spacing reduces chances of anintense fire front developing (Felderhof and Poon 2011). There is likely to behigherthan opencountry where wider spacing reduces the In heavily timbered areas, thewildfire hazard following cyclonic events avoided. the health of thecanopy is restored, fires which may impact themshould be impactsto further (such as canopy scorch), andmay lead to tree death. Until The canopy of trees damaged by severe cyclones is particularly susceptible management guidelines). impact onanalready stressed canopy (refer to Chapter 8,Issue 1,for fire of extensive wildfires inthe following season dry andarisk of fires that will planned burning. However, without afuel reduction strategy, there is arisk After asevere tropical cyclone, people may not naturally think about 8/05/13 9:11 AM 152 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 153 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 153 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms • • •

conditions. moister seasonal conditions are strategies to compensate for changed fuel conditionsdry andreviewing scheduled planned burns to make use of Strategic planned burning with highsoil moisture, avoiding burning in establish andthus halt or slow thetransitioning process. planned burning may allow seedlings of canopy trees such as eucalypts to light andbare soil to establish. Temporarily reducing theunderstory through Species found ineucalypt forest andwoodland inparticular needabundant of transition to closed forest communities through shrubortree invasion. into grasslands oropenforests andwoodlands which are inthelate stages In somelocations cyclones may provide arare opportunity to reintroduce fire suffered prolonged flooding. the expected distance dueto alack of understory fuels inareas which have wetlands). Conversely, fires may beof alower severity or unable to carry would not normally (e.g. over gullies, over streams, over firelines, and over change theway fire behaves. Fire will bemore severe and may wherecarry it suspended andaerated fuel, opencanopies andcontinuous fuel will areas. Be aware that increased finer fuels, native orinvasive grass cover, management can continue, but only afterre-assessment of planned burn post cyclone oreven afterasevere storm. It is likely programmed fire Expectations of how fire behaves inanormal year must be reconsidered 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 154 Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, near Garnett Mt. post Cyclone Yasi (2011). fences are intact is important. Open woodlands are also effected by cyclones. Ensuring fire breaks are cleared and 8/05/13 9:11 AM 154 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 155

155 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology (Primary source: Australasian Fire Authorities Council 2012). Glossary of fire terminology distribution Age-class Available fuel Aerial ignition Backing-fire Burn severity Terminology and five years ago) (refer to Figure 1). (e.g. 25percent of afire vegetation group burnt between one represented as aplot of areas (y-axis) versus age-class (x-axis) burning inachieving varied habitat conditions. This is usually fire ecology this is used to indicate thesuccess of mosaic class) of aparticular vegetation community afterfire. In The distribution of groups of similar aged vegetation (age- current orspecified conditions. of thetotalThe portion fuel that would actually burn under incendiary devices ormaterials from aircraft. The lighting of fine fuels for planned burning by dropping minimal. down slope, where the flame height andrate of spread is The partof afire which is burning back against thewind or levels of biomass orecological function. Relates to theamount of timenecessary to return to pre-fire Percentage (%) area 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 F i g 1- u 56 r e 1 -1 : 01 I d 1- e 02 16-2 15 a l i s e d a 1- g 53 31-3 25 e Definition - A c g l e a - s c s l a d s 6- s 54 41-4 40 i ( s y t e r a Vegeta i r b s ) u t i 6- ti o 55 51-5 50 on communit n ( c o n c e 5- p 56 61-6 60 y t o n l y ) 6- 70 8/05/13 9:11 AM scale Beaufort Duff layer Duff (DI) Drought index Drought temperature Dew point Char height Crown scorch BOM Terminology visible effects uponland objects orseas surface. • wind speed • Beaufort force (orBeaufort number) • equates to: and relies on visual indicators rather than instruments. It Navy. It is useful infire management to indicate wind speed the early nineteenth century by Admiral Beaufort of theRoyal A system of estimating wind andreporting speeds, invented in Refer to ‘humus layer’. vegetation. reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest litter, logs andliving A numerical value (e.g. theByram-Keetch Drought Index), drought.shtml> information, refer to information, refer to

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157 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology Fireline Fire interval Fire intensity Fire extent Fire frequency FFDI/FFDR Rating (FDR) Fire Danger Index (FDI)/ Fire Danger Fire behaviour Terminology avoid theperception that afire will stop at abreak. shortcomings it should beused inpreference to ‘firebreak’ to NOT fire breaks. Although theterm ‘fi reline’ is not without its control line(e.g. access track to acampground). Firelines are should (usually) have aprimary purpose otherthan that of a be used inthemanagement of afire. Permanent fi relines fire trails orcontrol lines) orenvironmental features that can Constructed ortreated lines/trails (sometimes referred to as events (refer to Appendix 2). number of years that anarea should beleft between fire expressed as arange indicating aminimumandmaximum community inthesame point of thelandscape. Often The interval between successive fires for a vegetation Byram fire-line intensity). units of kilowatts permetre of thefireline (also known as the The amount of energy released perunit lengthof fire front, in Refer to patchiness. in thesame point of thelandscape (refer to fire interval). The frequency of successive fires for a vegetation community Forest Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. fuel moisture andwind speed. spread, orsuppression difficulty for specifi c combinations of A relative numberandrating denoting anevaluation of rate of and topography. The manner inwhich afire reacts to variables of fuel, weather Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM zone’. management and ‘fire group’ vegetation ‘fire terms over the Clarification group (FRG) Fire regime Fire regime Fire perimeter Terminology requirements. P2, P3, WM1, WM2, etc) each with specific fi re management identified as fi re management subzones (FMSz) (e.g. P1, are anumberof these other zones within astrategy they are override fi theFVG re regime requirements. Further, if there reference) will have specific management objectives that sustainable production, rehabilitation, exclusion, and (e.g. protection, wildfire mitigation, special conservation, reflected infi re strategies. Otherfi re management zones identified intheBioregional Planned Burn Guidelines andare fire management requirements. Fire regimes for FVGsare (FVGs)—groups of related ecosystems that share common management zone are basedfi onthe re vegetation groups The fire management requirements within aconservation fire detailed alternative for use with fire strategies or inmapping. requirements. Fire regime groups are provided as amore groups to provide more detail about specific fi re management mosaic etc. These are asub-grouping of the fire vegetation management regime including season, severity, recommended A group of related ecosystems that share acommon fire and season of burning. or area including thefrequency, intensity, extent, severity, type The recommended use of fire for aparticular vegetation type The outer containment boundary in which fire is being applied. Protection Conservation Wildfire mitigation, etc Fire management zone Definition Fire management sub-zone or Fire vegetation group FVG2 FVG1 W2 W1 P2 P1 Fireline Fire interval Fire intensity Fire extent Fire frequency FFDI/FFDR Rating (FDR) Fire Danger Index (FDI)/ Fire Danger Fire behaviour Terminology avoid theperception that afire will stop at abreak. shortcomings it should beused inpreference to ‘firebreak’ to NOT fire breaks. Although theterm ‘fi reline’ is not without its control line(e.g. access track to acampground). Firelines are should (usually) have aprimary purpose otherthan that of a be used inthemanagement of afire. Permanent fi relines fire trails orcontrol lines) orenvironmental features that can Constructed ortreated lines/trails (sometimes referred to as events (refer to Appendix 2). number of years that anarea should beleft between fire expressed as arange indicating aminimumandmaximum community inthesame point of thelandscape. Often The interval between successive fires for a vegetation Byram fire-line intensity). units of kilowatts permetre of thefireline (also known as the The amount of energy released perunit lengthof fire front, in Refer to patchiness. in thesame point of thelandscape (refer to fire interval). The frequency of successive fires for a vegetation community Forest Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. fuel moisture andwind speed. spread, orsuppression difficulty for specifi c combinations of A relative numberandrating denoting anevaluation of rate of and topography. The manner inwhich afire reacts to variables of fuel, weather Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 158 zone’. management and ‘fire group’ vegetation ‘fire terms over the Clarification group (FRG) Fire regime Fire regime Fire perimeter Terminology requirements. P2, P3, WM1, WM2, etc) each with specific fi re management identified as fi re management subzones (FMSz) (e.g. P1, are anumberof these other zones within astrategy they are override fi theFVG re regime requirements. Further, if there reference) will have specific management objectives that sustainable production, rehabilitation, exclusion, and (e.g. protection, wildfire mitigation, special conservation, reflected infi re strategies. Otherfi re management zones identified intheBioregional Planned Burn Guidelines andare fire management requirements. Fire regimes for FVGsare (FVGs)—groups of related ecosystems that share common management zone are basedfi onthe re vegetation groups The fire management requirements within aconservation fire detailed alternative for use with fire strategies or inmapping. requirements. Fire regime groups are provided as amore groups to provide more detail about specific fi re management mosaic etc. These are asub-grouping of the fire vegetation management regime including season, severity, recommended A group of related ecosystems that share acommon fire and season of burning. or area including thefrequency, intensity, extent, severity, type The recommended use of fire for aparticular vegetation type The outer containment boundary in which fire is being applied. Wildfire mitigation, etc Protection Conservation Fire management zone Definition Fire management sub-zone or Fire vegetation group FVG2 FVG1 W2 W1 P2 P1 8/05/13 9:11 AM 158

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159 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology GFDI/GFDR Grid ignition content Fuel moisture Fuel load Fuel hazard Fuel Flame height group (FVG) vegetation Fire Fire severity Fire season Terminology Grassland Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. set at apredetermined grid-like spacing through anarea. A methodof lighting prescribed fires where ignitionpoints are of theoven weight dry of thefuel particle(%ODW). The water content of afuel particleexpressed as apercentage structure. does not describe how thefuel is arranged, norits state or expressed as tonnes perhectare. Aquantification of fuel load weightThe dry of combustible materials perarea, usually ignited. flammability andthediffi culty of suppression if fuel should be such factors as quantity, arrangement, current orpotential The condition of thefuel andtakes into consideration measured intonnes perhectare. which can beignited andsustains afire. Fuel is usually Any material such as grass, leaf litter andlive vegetation, ground level, excluding higherflares. The vertical distance between theaverage tipof theflame and management, these ecosystems are treated as agroup. management requirements. For thepurpose of practical fire A group of related ecosystems that share common fire fire intensity. vegetation mortality, soil alteration). Can beused to indicate immediately afterthefire (e.g. vegetation consumption, A measure of theeffect of fire on vegetation andsoil control. spread andcause sufficient damage to warrant organised fire The period(s)of the year during which fires are likely to occur, Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM grasses grasses High biomass Mineral earth pioneers Mesophyll Litter pattern Lighting mosaic Landscape Index (KBDI) Drought Keetch-Byram Junction zone duff layer) Humus (or Terminology increase threat to life andproperty. • • increase biomass • can lead to decreased biodiversity • are generally taller than native species • native species to form dense mono-specific stands. They: Tend to beexotic species of grasses which can out-compete material. Being completely free of any vegetation orothercombustible establish inneighbouring communities. Large-leaved (12.5–20cm long) rainforest tree species able to layer of theforest floor). needles, little altered instructure by decomposition. (Thelitter dead sticks, branches, twigs, andrecently fallen leaves and The top layer of theforest floor composed of loose debris of burning operations, orindirect attack. The lighting pattern adopted by fire fi ghters during planned broader area. planning aseries of fires across abioregion areserve, or A mosaic burn at alandscape level, usually achieved by litter, andheavy fuels andexpressed as ascale from 0–203. A numerical value reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest fronts (orflanks) burning towards oneanother. An area of greatly increased fire intensity caused by two fire floor, the original vegetative structures still being recognisable. The mat of partlydecomposed vegetation matter ontheforest increase fire severity Definition GFDI/GFDR Grid ignition content Fuel moisture Fuel load Fuel hazard Fuel Flame height group (FVG) vegetation Fire Fire severity Fire season Terminology Grassland Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. set at apredetermined grid-like spacing through anarea. A methodof lighting prescribed fires where ignitionpoints are of theoven weight dry of thefuel particle(%ODW). The water content of afuel particleexpressed as apercentage structure. does not describe how thefuel is arranged, norits state or expressed as tonnes perhectare. Aquantification of fuel load weightThe dry of combustible materials perarea, usually ignited. flammability andthediffi culty of suppression if fuel should be such factors as quantity, arrangement, current orpotential The condition of thefuel andtakes into consideration measured intonnes perhectare. which can beignited andsustains afire. Fuel is usually Any material such as grass, leaf litter andlive vegetation, ground level, excluding higherflares. The vertical distance between theaverage tipof theflame and management, these ecosystems are treated as agroup. management requirements. For thepurpose of practical fire A group of related ecosystems that share common fire fire intensity. vegetation mortality, soil alteration). Can beused to indicate immediately afterthefire (e.g. vegetation consumption, A measure of theeffect of fire on vegetation andsoil control. spread andcause sufficient damage to warrant organised fire The period(s)of the year during which fires are likely to occur, Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 160 grasses grasses High biomass Mineral earth pioneers Mesophyll Litter pattern Lighting mosaic Landscape Index (KBDI) Drought Keetch-Byram Junction zone duff layer) Humus (or Terminology increase threat to life andproperty. • • increase biomass • can lead to decreased biodiversity • are generally taller than native species • native species to form dense mono-specific stands. They: Tend to beexotic species of grasses which can out-compete material. Being completely free of any vegetation orothercombustible establish inneighbouring communities. Large-leaved (12.5–20cm long) rainforest tree species able to layer of theforest floor). needles, little altered instructure by decomposition. (Thelitter dead sticks, branches, twigs, andrecently fallen leaves and The top layer of theforest floor composed of loose debris of burning operations, orindirect attack. The lighting pattern adopted by fire fi ghters during planned broader area. planning aseries of fires across abioregion areserve, or A mosaic burn at alandscape level, usually achieved by litter, andheavy fuels andexpressed as ascale from 0–203. A numerical value reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest fronts (orflanks) burning towards oneanother. An area of greatly increased fire intensity caused by two fire floor, the original vegetative structures still being recognisable. The mat of partlydecomposed vegetation matter ontheforest increase fire severity Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM 160

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161 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology Planned burn plants Perennial Patchiness species) regenerating seed (obligate seeders Obligate Mosaic burn Terminology ecological manipulation), andprotecting life andproperty. or production resources of thearea (e.g. reducing fire hazard, the purposes of managing thenatural and/orcultural and/ QPWS operations: afire that is deliberately andlegally lit for planned resource management objectives. Inthecontext of the time,intensity, andrate of spread required to attain environmental conditions to apre-determined area andat The controlled application of fire under specifi ed or growing continuously like many shrubs. dying back aftereach season as someherbaceous plants do, Plants that last for more than two growing seasons, either burnt). affected by fire (i.e. 20percent patchiness =80percent (grasses, herbs andtrees/shrubs less than onemetre) not A percentage of orproportion theground layer vegetation species. should beburnt inorder to avoid thelocal extinction of these the minimumfrequency with which a vegetation community seeders to mature andestablish aseedbank oftenindicates bank to regenerate. Infire ecology, thetimeit takes obligate Shrubs that are killed by fire andrely onsoil-stored seed burn andat alandscape level (refer to Appendix 2). variation infire regimes. This can occur within anindividual An approach which aims to create spatial andtemporal Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM Testfi re Strip burning Scorch height humidity (RH) Relative spread (ROS) Rate of burning Progressive Terminology behaviour. A controlled fire of limited extent ignited to evaluate fire preceding strip bums out. and thenburning successively wider adjacent strips as the Setting fire to anarrow strip of fuel adjacent to afire-line plants are turned brown by theheat of afire. Is theheight to which former green leaves still suspended on vapour theaircan hold at that temperature. expressed as apercentage of themaximum amount of water The amount of water vapour inagiven volume of air, hour. specified partof thefi re perimeter, defi ned as metres per The forward progress perunit timeof thehead fire oranother 10 September 2011). good conditions for regeneration (Mick Blackman pers. comm., fire where rain can bereliably expected to follow; providing January, is auseful way to achieve intense, wind supported where climatic conditions allow, from December through to often favour woody species over grasses. Storm burning, season andfires will not go Fires out. conditions indry will of leaves oftencrosses natural water features. This is thedry burnt the year before. Falling leaf season, where ablanket will burn through thenight andwill extinguish within areas burnt the year before. Secondary burn season where fires self extinguishes overnight andwill not burn through areas The early burn periodfollowing seasonal heavy rain where fire wet tropics (this will vary from moister to drierclimatic areas): climatic conditions, there can beupto four seasons inthe behaves differently indifferent seasons. Depending onlocal unburnt areas, andseasonal variability. Be aware of how fire burning helps create arich mosaic of intensities, burnt/ the year. They also provide fauna refuge areas. Progressive can provide opportunistic barriers to fire for burning later in small ignitions creating a fine scale mosaic. These burnt areas early inthe year afterheavy seasonal rain, with numerous conditions allow. Queensland, Innorthern ignitioncan begin where ignitionis carried out throughout much of the year as Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning Definition Planned burn plants Perennial Patchiness species) regenerating seed (obligate seeders Obligate Mosaic burn Terminology ecological manipulation), andprotecting life andproperty. or production resources of thearea (e.g. reducing fire hazard, the purposes of managing thenatural and/orcultural and/ QPWS operations: afire that is deliberately andlegally lit for planned resource management objectives. Inthecontext of the time,intensity, andrate of spread required to attain environmental conditions to apre-determined area andat The controlled application of fire under specifi ed or growing continuously like many shrubs. dying back aftereach season as someherbaceous plants do, Plants that last for more than two growing seasons, either burnt). affected by fire (i.e. 20percent patchiness =80percent (grasses, herbs andtrees/shrubs less than onemetre) not A percentage of orproportion theground layer vegetation species. should beburnt inorder to avoid thelocal extinction of these the minimumfrequency with which a vegetation community seeders to mature andestablish aseedbank oftenindicates bank to regenerate. Infire ecology, thetimeit takes obligate Shrubs that are killed by fire andrely onsoil-stored seed burn andat alandscape level (refer to Appendix 2). variation infire regimes. This can occur within anindividual An approach which aims to create spatial andtemporal Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 162 Testfi re Strip burning Scorch height humidity (RH) Relative spread (ROS) Rate of burning Progressive Terminology behaviour. A controlled fire of limited extent ignited to evaluate fire preceding strip bums out. and thenburning successively wider adjacent strips as the Setting fire to anarrow strip of fuel adjacent to afire-line plants are turned brown by theheat of afire. Is theheight to which former green leaves still suspended on vapour theaircan hold at that temperature. expressed as apercentage of themaximum amount of water The amount of water vapour inagiven volume of air, hour. specified partof thefi re perimeter, defi ned as metres per The forward progress perunit timeof thehead fire oranother 10 September 2011). good conditions for regeneration (Mick Blackman pers. comm., fire where rain can bereliably expected to follow; providing January, is auseful way to achieve intense, wind supported where climatic conditions allow, from December through to often favour woody species over grasses. Storm burning, season andfires will not go Fires out. conditions indry will of leaves oftencrosses natural water features. This is thedry burnt the year before. Falling leaf season, where ablanket will burn through thenight andwill extinguish within areas burnt the year before. Secondary burn season where fires self extinguishes overnight andwill not burn through areas The early burn periodfollowing seasonal heavy rain where fire wet tropics (this will vary from moister to drierclimatic areas): climatic conditions, there can beupto four seasons inthe behaves differently indifferent seasons. Depending onlocal unburnt areas, andseasonal variability. Be aware of how fire burning helps create arich mosaic of intensities, burnt/ the year. They also provide fauna refuge areas. Progressive can provide opportunistic barriers to fire for burning later in small ignitions creating a fine scale mosaic. These burnt areas early inthe year afterheavy seasonal rain, with numerous conditions allow. Queensland, Innorthern ignitioncan begin where ignitionis carried out throughout much of the year as Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM 162

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 163

163 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References Firescape Science,Atherton. Felderhof L andPoon L 2011,Post-cyclone Yasi wildfire mitigationproject, Journal, vol. 31,pp. 293–305. variables, andrelationship with grass, forb andreptile species’, TheRangeland Queensland’s semi-arid woodlands: response to local andlandscape scale Eyre TJ, Wang J, Venz MF, Chilcott C,and Whish G2009,‘Buffel grass in Council, Georgetown. Etheridge Shire Council 2011,Aerial ignitionoperationsEtheridge Shire guide , spp.) inAustralia, Queensland Government, Cloncurry. manual mesquite: control and management options for mesquite (Prosopis Department of Natural Resources andMines (DNRM)2003,Best practice Queensland Government, Brisbane. Procedural guide–Management ofcultural heritage places onQPWSestate Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2010b, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Operational policy –Management ofcultural heritage places onQPWSestate, Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2010a, culturalheritage values, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Conservation management profile: Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands – Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2005, Brisbane. 2011, Calotrope (Calotropis procera) fact sheet, Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development andInnovation (DEEDI) Communities, Attorney Conservation Act 1999, Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Commonwealth of Australia 1999,Environment Protection and Biodiversity Chamberlin J2003,Transcript from, Nairana NRMworkshop National Park. Restoration, vol. 4,pp. 120–125. woodland: acase study from central Queensland’, Ecological Management and Butler DW andFairfax RJ2003, ‘Buffel grass andfire inagidgee andbrigalow terminology, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, Canberra. Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) 2012,Glossary ofrural fire References ‑ General’s Canberra. Department, , 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 164 pp. 228–238, viewed 9May 2012, . flooding on understory vegetation’, Castanea Noble RandMurphy PK term 1975,‘Short effects of prolonged backwater Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Queensland. Version 3.1,updated September 2005,Queensland Herbarium, for survey and mapping ofregional ecosystems and vegetation communities in Neldner VJ, Wilson BA, Thompson EJandDillewaard HA2005,Methodology support afire-invasion feedback?’ The Rangeland Journal, vol. 32, pp. 353–365. ( grass Miller G,Friedel M,Adam PandChewing V 2010,‘Ecological impacts of buffel unpublished work. on conservation reserves, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane, Melzer RandPorterG2002,Guidelines for the management ofbuffel grass Department of Natural Resources: Brisbane). M 1996,‘Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) inQueensland’, (Queensland Mackey AP, Carsten K,James P, March N,Noble K,Palmer B, Vitelli J,and Vitelli Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal, vol. 60,pp. 1-14. Lucas C 2010,‘Ondeveloping ahistorical fire weather data-set for Australia’, Territory,Northern Tropical SavannasCRC. Johnson A2001,NorthAustralian grassland fuel guide,Bushfires Council biodiversity ofacontinent, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. JE Williams andAMGill (eds.), Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and functional processes andbiological diversity’, pp. 351–372,inRABradstock, Hodgkinson K 2002,‘Fire regimes inAcacia wooded landscapes: effects on Environment, Victoria. report no. 82,Fire Management Branch, Department of Sustainability and assessment guide,4theditionJuly 2010,Fire andadaptive management Hines F, Tolhurst KG, Wilson AAGandMcCarthy GJ2010b,Overall fuel hazard Environment, Victoria. report no. 82.Fire Management Branch, Department of Sustainability and assessment guide,1st editionApril 2010,Fire andadaptive management Hines F, Tolhurst KG, Wilson AAGandMcCarthy GJ2010a,Fuel hazard Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius 2003–2007,Report to Environment Australia, Garnett ST andCrowley GM2002,Recovery plan for the golden-shouldered Cenchrus ciliaris L.)invasion incentral Australia –does field evidence vol. 40,no. 3(September, 1975), 8/05/13 9:11 AM 164

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 165

165 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References Service, Queensland Government, Brisbane. the Burra Range, White Mountains National Park. Queensland Parks and Wildlife survival, growth and maturing rates of two fire-killed shrubs and a resprouter of Williams P, Collins E,Anchen G,andKimlin S 2007,Contrasting seedling Biological Conservation, vol. 137,no. 1,pp. 90–101. influences the response of bird assemblages to fire in tropical savannas’, Valentine LE, Schwarzkopf L,Johnson CNand Grice AC 2007,‘Burning season bioregional ecosystems, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland. Sattler Pand Williams R(eds.) 1999, Theconservation status of Queensland’s gov.au/register/p02186aa.pdf>. Brigalow Belt bioregion -anoverview’, viewed 6June 2011,

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 167

167 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems common fire management intent for the purpose of practical fire management. Afire vegetation group is agroup of related regional ecosystems that share Appendix 1:List of regional ecosystems Springs anddune communities Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Grasslands andsedgelands Eucalypt communities TOTAL Other bioregions Other areas Mangrove andsaltmarsh communities Vine thickets Fire vegetationgroup Hectares within Gulf Plains bioregion 10 007486 22 232102 1 406517 5 344469 4 395268 356 970 154 969 551 315 3 333 3 969 Percentage 0.01 0.02 100 24 20 45 8/05/13 9:11 AM 6 2 1 2 DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 168 1 2 Chapter 2 1 1 Issues

Grasslands and Eucalypt communities sedgelands Fire vegetation group Eucalypt communities Grasslands and Eucalypt community (tussock grass dominated) sedgelands (spinifex or shrub dominated) Fire regime group

Map label (if required) K17. NON RE groupings used: C13,D32,C33,D20,D34,D35,D41, 2.3.11g, 2.3.11h,2.3.11i,2.3.11k,2.3.11x1,2.3.11x40. 2.3.11bx1, 2.3.11bx2, 2.3.11c,2.3.11d,2.3.11e,2.3.11f, 2.3.10x40, 2.3.10x41,2.3.11,2.3.11a,2.3.11ax1,2.3.11b, 2.3.10x11, 2.3.10x11a,2.3.10x11b,2.3.10x12,2.3.10x13, 2.3.10, 2.3.10a,2.3.10b,2.3.10c,2.3.10d,2.3.10e,2.3.10f, 2.3.15, 2.3.17,2.3.17a,2.3.17b,2.3.17c,2.3.17d,2.3.17e, 2.3.33x4, 2.3.8,2.3.9,2.3.9b,2.3.9c,2.3.9d,2.3.9e, 2.9.3a, 2.9.7,2.9.7x1,2.9.7x2,2.9.7x90,2.3.33,2.3.33x3, 2.5.9x50b, 2.5.9x51,2.9.1x90,2.9.1x93,2.9.2x2,2.9.3, 2.5.6x10e, 2.5.6x10f, 2.5.7,2.5.8,2.5.9,2.5.9a,2.5.9x50, 2.5.6c, 2.5.6x1,2.5.6x10a,2.5.6x10b,2.5.6x10c,2.5.6x10d, 2.5.5x12, 2.5.5x13,2.5.5x14a,2.5.5x14b,2.5.6,2.5.6b, 2.5.2x4, 2.5.3b,2.5.4,2.5.5,2.5.5x11,2.5.5x11a,2.5.5x11b, 2.5.10, 2.5.12,2.5.12a,2.5.12b,2.5.12c,2.5.2x2,2.5.2x3, 2.5.1a, 2.5.1b,2.5.1c,2.5.1d,2.5.1x10,2.5.1x11,2.5.1x11b, 2.3.35, 2.3.37,2.3.5,2.3.6,2.3.6x1a,2.3.6x1b,2.5.1, 2.3.25x1, 2.3.25x2,2.3.25x3,2.3.26,2.3.26a,2.3.27, 2.3.23x1a, 2.3.23x1b,2.3.23x1c,2.3.25,2.3.25b,2.3.25c, 2.3.22, 2.3.22x11,2.3.22x11a,2.3.22x11b,2.3.23,2.3.23b, 2.3.21f, 2.3.21g,2.3.21x1,2.3.21x12,2.3.21x13,2.3.21x2, 2.3.18a, 2.3.21,2.3.21a,2.3.21b,2.3.21c,2.3.21d,2.3.21e, 2.3.20e, 2.3.20g,2.3.20h,2.3.20i,2.3.20j,2.10.3,2.3.14, 2.2.2, 2.3.19,2.3.20,2.3.20a,2.3.20b,2.3.20c,2.3.20d, J19. NON RE groupings used: D23,D50,D51,G3,H23,H28,J16, 2.10.2x12, 2.10.2x2,2.12.1,2.12.1x1,2.8.1. 2.10.2a, 2.10.2b,2.10.2c,2.10.2d,2.10.2x1,2.10.2x11, 2.7.3g, 2.7.3i,2.7.3x1,2.7.4,2.7.5,2.10.1,2.10.1a,2.10.2, 2.5.3, 2.5.3a,2.7.3,2.7.3b,2.7.3c,2.7.3d,2.7.3e,2.7.3f, 2.11.1b, 2.11.1c,2.5.11,2.5.11b,2.5.11c,2.5.11d,2.5.13, 2.10.4, 2.10.4b,2.10.4x1,2.10.4x2,2.10.7,2.11.1,2.11.1a, NON RE groupings used: G17. 2.3.34x32, 2.3.38. 2.3.1x30, 2.3.1x31,2.3.1x51,2.3.12,2.3.12x4, 2.3.34,2.3.34x31, 2.3.1, 2.3.1a,2.3.1b,2.3.1c,2.3.1e,2.3.1x2a, 2.3.1x2b,2.3.1x2c, 2.9.1x91, 2.9.2,2.9.3b,2.9.3d,2.3.32, 2.3.32x11,2.3.16,2.3.2, 2.3.4x50, 2.9.1,2.9.1a,2.9.1ax40,2.9.1ax42, 2.9.1ax43,2.9.1ax44, 2.3.4a, 2.3.4x40,2.3.4x41,2.3.4x41a, 2.3.4x42, 2.3.4x43,2.3.4x44, 2.2.2a, 2.2.2e,2.3.3,2.3.3a,2.3.3ax40, 2.3.3b,2.3.3x40,2.3.4, (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM 168

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169 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems 6 4 5 3 Chapter 1 1 1 1 1 Issues

Springs and dune Springs and dune Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Vine thickets communities communities Fire vegetation group

Vine thickets Dune communities Springs Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Fire regime group

Map label (if required) 2.7.1x4, 2.9.1x92,2.9.6,2.9.6a,2.9.6b,2.9.6x40. 2.5.16, 2.5.16a,2.5.16b,2.5.16x40,2.7.1x3a,2.7.1x3b,2.7.1x3c, 2.3.29x2, 2.3.29x40,2.3.29x40a,2.3.29x40b,2.3.29x41,2.3.29x42, 2.5.15c, 2.5.15d,2.5.15e,2.5.15x2,2.5.15x7,2.3.29,2.3.29x1, 2.5.14a, 2.5.14x1,2.5.14x50,2.5.14x51,2.5.15,2.5.15a,2.5.15b, 2.3.28x17a, 2.3.28x17b,2.3.28x40,2.3.30,2.3.31,2.3.36,2.5.14, 2.3.28x1, 2.3.28x11,2.3.28x12,2.3.28x13,2.3.28x15,2.3.28x16, 2.3.28a, 2.3.28b,2.3.28c,2.3.28d,2.3.28e,2.3.28f, 2.3.28g, 2.3.24x12, 2.3.24x12c,2.3.24x13,2.3.24x2,2.3.24x2a,2.3.28, 2.10.6, 2.10.6x1,2.3.24,2.3.24a,2.3.24b,2.3.24x1,2.3.24x11, 2.3.39, 2.10.8,2.3.33x1,2.3.33x2. 2.9.4x1a, 2.9.4x1b,2.9.5. 2.9.4ax40, 2.9.4b,2.9.4c,2.9.4d,2.9.4dx40,2.9.4e,2.9.4f, 2.9.4x1, 2.7.2x3, 2.7.2x4,2.9.1b,2.9.1bx40, 2.9.1cx40, 2.9.4,2.9.4a, 2.7.2c, 2.7.2d,2.7.2x1,2.7.2x2,2.7.2x2a,2.7.2x2c,2.7.2x2d, 2.5.2x1, 2.7.1,2.7.1x1,2.7.1x2,2.7.1x2b,2.7.2,2.7.2a,2.7.2b, 2.10.5x1, 2.10.5x2,2.3.13,2.3.7,2.3.7a,2.3.7b,2.3.7c,2.5.2, 2.2.2b, 2.2.2c,2.2.2x1,2.3.18,2.3.18b,2.3.3c,2.10.5,2.10.5a, 2.2.2f, 2.9.3c. NON RE groupings used: B4. 2.2.1, 2.2.2d, (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 170 where noregional ecosystem codes existed as of 2012. 18January Non-regional ecosystem (Veg 1) Queensland Herbarium codes were also used, Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems layer (20August 2010).NOTE: of Queensland spatial layer (16 September 2011)andtheDraft Pre-clearing and Mapping of 2006Remnant Vegetation Communities andRegional Ecosystems RE’s listed below donot have any matching records in version 6.1of the Survey section indicates if theRE is not of amappable size orif it has beenmoved. The In theRegional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD)system, thecomments as asub-dominant RE within thespatial data ortheRE has not yet beenmapped. been moved’ (i.e. it has beenreclassified into anewRE code), theRE exists only spatial data. This may bebecause theRE is ‘not of amappable size’, theRE ‘has Some of theregional ecosystems (RE)listed above will not bematched inthe CRC Vegetation layer (refer to Figure 1). Ecosystems” layer (20August Australia 2010)andtheNorthern Tropical Savannas (16 September 2011),the“Draft Pre-clearing Vegetation Communities andRegional Remnant Vegetation Communities andRegional Ecosystems of Queensland” layer The spatial data is derived from version 6.1of the“SurveyandMapping of 2006 7 Chapter Unmatched regional 1 1

ecosystems Issues

Mangrove and saltmarsh communities Fire vegetation group

Saltmarsh Mangrove Fire regime group

Map label (if required) 2.8.1, 2.2.2d,2.3.31 2.1.1, 2.3.13,2.3.15,2.3.19,2.3.27, 2.3.30,2.3.5,2.3.8,2.5.8, NON RE groupings used: A3. 2.1.4 NON RE groupings used: A1. 2.1.2, 2.1.3,2.1.3b,2.1.1,2.3.1x1. (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM 170

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 171

171 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems pr Figur oduc e 1: e thes M ap of p ati Queen al fi

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produce thespatial fire vegetation group mapping product. Figure 1:Map of Queensland indicating thedifferent GIS data sources used to DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 172 and theirfire management needs. supported by photographs to help you assess thehealth of theecosystems a healthy ecosystem. This planned burn guidelineprovides key indicators fire management needs to appropriately apply fire inaway that maintains important to learn to observethehealth of thecountry andto understand its recommended fire frequencies. Irrespective of monitoring andGIS tools it is track interms of maintaining anage class distribution andconforming to evolve it will become easier to evaluate if thefire vegetation groups are on As ParkInfo/geographic information systems (GIS)andmonitoring tools species might belost. ecosystem can beleft without fire before it begins to decline inhealth and second fire, andthemaximum fi re interval represents theamount of timean of timeit takes for each species to regenerate sufficiently to tolerate a This is relevant because theminimumfire interval represents theamount fire interval (e.g. 12 years) (refer to Figures 1–5). minimum fire interval (e.g. eight years), orless frequently than themaximum required) but generally not burning any single patch more frequently than the years. Inthis case theland manager would apply mosaic burning (as oftenas A fire strategy might recommend burning with afire interval of between 8–12 the fire interval as aformula for applying fire. Consider thefollowing example: recommended fire frequency. Note that it is acommon mistake to interpret The land manager should apply mosaic burning andbeguidedby the Both are important. management area) orcan refer to thearea burnt within anindividual fire event. fire vegetation group is targeted within agiven year (across abioregion or practice can apply to burning at alandscape scale—how much of aparticular stages of response from fire (Figures 1–5provide asimplified example). This the patches overlay to build amore complex mosaic of vegetation at various ignition patterns to create apatchwork of burnt andunburnt areas. Over time weather conditions, variation intopography, frequency, intensity, season and In practice, mosaic burning is achieved through theuse of appropriate particular food source andall ecological requirements inbetween. prefer opencountry, those that needdense vegetation orthepresence of a provide agreater range of habitats for plants andanimals including those that scales, amosaic of vegetation indifferent stages of post-fire response can and maximise diversity within fire-adapted vegetation communities. At various Mosaic burning is anapproach to planned burning which aims to maintain Appendix 2:Mosaic burning 8/05/13 9:11 AM 172

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 173

173 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning Figure 2:Planned mosaic burn—year 8. (Recommended fire interval for fi re vegetation group is eight–12 years). Figure 1:Example area between fireline andcreek burnt inawildfire—year 0. Fir eli ne

Cr eek

Bu rn t area

Previo us

bu rn

8/05/13 9:11 AM Figure 3:Planned mosaic burn—year 20. Figure 4:Planned mosaic burn—year 28. Figure 2:Planned mosaic burn—year 8. (Recommended fire interval for fi re vegetation group is eight–12 years). Figure 1:Example area between fireline andcreek burnt inawildfire—year 0. Fir eli ne

Cr eek

Bu rn t area

Previo us

bu rn

DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 174 Figure 4:Planned mosaic burn—year 28. Figure 3:Planned mosaic burn—year 20. 8/05/13 9:11 AM 174

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 175

175 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning Wildfire andmosaic burn patterns overlaid (with years since last burnt). Figure 5:Fire history summary—year 28. 8/05/13 9:11 AM Wildfire andmosaic burn patterns overlaid (with years since last burnt). Figure 5:Fire history summary—year 28. DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 176 8/05/13 9:11 AM 176

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 177 8/05/13 9:11 AM