The RFS did not conduct any burns in the valley of the Astrofest. There was also a total fire ban during part of the Astrofest, certainly toward the end. Unfortunately the local landholders did not/do not always seek official sanction to conduct burns. The report from the Black Saturday fires came out during camp and the media jumped in with massive reporting that Queensland (amongst other states) will have a bad fire season. I think a lot of cockies threw matches out the window as they were passing along the road.
The rules apply to others and not to them it appears (climbing into my pulpit), in much the same way lifting of red gel from computer screens, failing to dim headlamps and not directing the light they do generate toward the ground instead of spotlighting across the field, down tubes and into lenses.
(How's that for hyjacking a thread?
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It is a good point to try and get in contact with the authorities and we will make the effort to do so, but the fact remains that people will burn regardless. I have just sent a message to through the the QRFS website regarding your comment and I hope to hear from them soon.
Are there any locals on this forum who might know someone in RFS or has some association with them? Jeanette, Chris?
BTW we were very fortunate that the Astrofest was not held a week later when half the hills around Kilkoy were torched... During the total fire ban!
