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

ii

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.

iii

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

iv

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

v

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.

vi

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).

vii

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

viii

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).

ix

DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 9 8/05/13 9:08 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 10

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