A number of bushfires were mapped during and post the South East Queensland bushfire season. 

From September to December 2019, more than 10 bushfires affected some of the region’s most valued forests and natural areas. Rapid ecological and landscape assessments were undertaken to evaluate natural assets and the built environment potentially affected by the bushfires.

A number of bushfires were mapped during and post-South East Queensland bushfire season. Pictured: Crows Nest Fire Scar.

This assessment has been included as part of South East Queensland’s Natural Resource Management Plan review and is now available as an overlay map within the SEQ Online Atlas.

The desktop assessment covered public and private lands and included the impacts on World Heritage Areas, Ramsar Wetlands, Matters of National and State Environmental Significance, ecosystem services valuations, rural production, local waterway health, and Cultural Heritage.

The desktop assessment also looked at the impact on National Parks and Reserves, threatened species habitat, significant forests, and economic impacts. Some of the key assets affected included the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, Lowland Subtropical Rainforests, Moreton Bay Ramsar Site, koala bushland, Nature Refuges, Noosa Biosphere, known Cultural Heritage Sites, and over $2 billion in Ecosystem Services. This included impacts on ecotourism, food supply primarily grazing and cropping areas, forestry, water supply, wetland function, and fisheries.

                                                                   Mulgumpin Bulwer Fire Scar Image from Atmospheric Filters

The mapping involved imagery analysis utilising real-time satellite imagery from the Sentinel Hub Playground including atmospheric filters and short-wave infrared bands. Additional imagery was sourced through the Queensland Government State-wide Imagery Subscription Plan and Nearmap. The multiple imagery inputs allowed for more accurate mapping of the bushfire impact areas.

The 10 bushfire-affected areas include the Border Ranges and Main Range, Crows Nest, Noosa, Peregian Springs, Amity Minjerribah, Bribie Island, Mulgumpin, and Jimna covering a combined area of over 101,000 ha.

Active fires at Main Range impacting Spicers Peak

Have a look at it here and navigate down to theme 12 Overlays. We’ve also mapped locally significant forests and vegetation connectivity as part of this set that shows some initial forest impacts for further ground-truthing. This information also informs state and national bids for recovery funds and future fire resilience in SEQ.

Tell us if we missed your fire or if you have any photos or comments relating to the bushfire extent mapping.