What is mosaic burning and why is it used?

Written By Closeburn Rural

Mosaic burning is a planned burning method that creates a patchwork of burnt and unburnt areas across the landscape.

Instead of uniformly burning a single area, mosaic burning aims to leave behind patches with distinct fire histories over months or years. Some areas may be burnt more often. Some less often. Some may burn at a lower intensity. Others may be left unburnt for longer.

This approach is used because landscapes, plants and animals do not all respond to fire in the same way.

A mosaic burn can help by:

  • reducing continuous fuel across the landscape

  • limiting the spread and intensity of future bushfires

  • protecting habitat by leaving refuge areas for wildlife

  • supporting biodiversity by keeping a mix of vegetation ages and structures

  • improving long-term land and fire management outcomes

In Queensland, planned burning is used to support biodiversity conservation, protect fire-sensitive areas and reduce the likelihood or extent of negative bushfire impacts.

Put simply, mosaic burning is used because a varied fire pattern is often safer and healthier than a uniform one.


Reference: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Planned Burn Guidelines: Introductory Volume, 2022, Appendix 3: ‘Mosaic burning’.

Closeburn Rural

We are a volunteer Rural Fire Brigade, part of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).

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