Residents and motorists to take precautions following thick smoke blanketing region

The community is advised to adhere to the emergency services and to avoid the current bush fire ravaged areas, as Police, SES and QFES remain at road closure sites.

Residents are asked to remain at their safe places to allow emergency services full access to areas of concern.

If you see smoke haze, check for fire warnings in your area and listen to your local radio station for updates.

Anyone having trouble breathing or experiencing chest pain should seek urgent medical assistance by phoning 000. Protecting your health •Avoid physical activity outdoors (exercise allows more fine particles to be breathed deeper into the lungs). In particular, people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions in should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke. •Anyone with a heart or lung condition should follow the treatment plan advised by their doctor and keep at least five days supply of medication on hand. •People with asthma should follow their personal asthma plan. •When smoke is in the air, but a fire is not directly threatening you, stay indoors and close all windows and doors. •If you operate an air conditioner during smoky conditions, switch it to ‘recycle’ or ‘recirculate’ to reduce smoke coming inside your home. •If you do not have an air conditioner, take steps to reduce heat stress, especially for the very young, people who are unwell, or the elderly. •If your home gets too hot to be comfortable, or if it is letting in outside air, try to take an airconditioned break at a local community library or shopping centre. •If there is a break in smoky conditions, take the opportunity to air out your home to improve indoor air quality. •When indoors, minimise other sources of air pollution, such as cigarette smoke, burning candles, using un-flued gas appliances or woodstoves, or stirring up fine dust from sweeping or vacuuming. •During extended, very smoky conditions, sensitive individuals should consider temporarily staying with a friend or relative living outside the smoke-affected area. Outdoor sporting events may also be postponed by event organisers. For more information, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/environmental/after-a-disaster/bushfires/bushfire-smoke-and-your-health

Council is continuing to monitor the fire risk with all updates to the community provided through the online Disaster Dashboard (http://disaster.livingstone.qld.gov.au/ ) or through Council’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/livingstoneshirecouncil/).