Extensive grass and plant growth in the region after the wet season has led the fire services to combine planning efforts to reduce the fuel load.

Mount Isa Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and the Mount Isa Rural Fire Brigade have joined forces to start a series of hazard reduction burn offs in the city.

In the first hazard reduction committee planning meeting held yesterday, both fire services identified potentially dangerous high risk hot spots.

The areas identified by Mount Isa Fire QFRS area director of western command John Bolger are the riverbed, Breakaway Creek and areas around Able Smith Parade.

“We’re highlighting areas we’re going to burn at the moment,” Mr Bolger said. “And we’ll commence our burning in July and August; we’re still just conducting our planning at the moment.”

Mr Bolger said the land was still drying out and the services may start some burn offs as soon as the end of the month.

Mount Isa Rural Fire Brigade 1st officer Joshua Fleming said grasses which had grown to knee height in previous years were now growing up to the waist.

“There’s a lot of fuel around at the moment,” Mr Fleming said.

“The wet season has really encouraged things to grow like mad.

“So at the moment we’re just trying to identify some of the more potentially dangerous spots and will focus on those first.

“Mainly those that are close to houses but also other areas we see as a risk.”

Mr Bolger said the fire services would work with the Department of Environment and Resource Management and would also be seeking the approval and assistance of Mount Isa City Council.

Both Mr Bolger and Mr Fleming encouraged residents to clean up their properties of any potentially flammable material.