📮 Yorkeys Knob postcode: 4878

Bushfire Risk in Yorkeys Knob, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Yorkeys Knob, Queensland· Cairns· 4878
Bushfire risk is relatively low in Yorkeys Knob due to the limited presence of dense vegetation in close proximity to residential areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk.Updated 10 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

3.0/10

Bushfire risk is relatively low in Yorkeys Knob due to the limited presence of dense vegetation in close proximity to residential areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk is relatively low in Yorkeys Knob due to the limited presence of dense vegetation in close proximity to residential areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Yorkeys Knob, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4878
Highest high-risk exposure
14% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, has a bushfire risk is relatively low in yorkeys knob due to the limited presence of dense vegetation in close proximity to residential areas. however, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Queensland fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

While not immediately surrounded by dense bushland, areas to the west of Yorkeys Knob are classified as bushfire prone.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Yorkeys Knob, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Yorkeys Knob including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Yorkeys Knob sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 14% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 58.7% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Yorkeys Knob.

Yorkeys Knob (postcode 4878) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (14% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (12.4% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (10.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Yorkeys Knob — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to Bushland1-2km
BAL Overlay / ZoneQFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Improve stormwater drainage systems to reduce the risk of flash flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Protect Coastal Ecosystems

Near-term

Restore and protect mangrove forests and dunes to provide natural buffers against coastal erosion and storm surges.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Raise Awareness of Climate Risks

Long-term

Educate residents about the risks of climate change and provide guidance on how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Building Codes

Near-term

Update building codes to ensure that new construction is resilient to flooding, coastal inundation, and extreme heat.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Cairns Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 March 2026

Explore Yorkeys Knob Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yorkeys Knob in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Yorkeys Knob may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Yorkeys Knob has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Yorkeys Knob?

BAL ratings in Yorkeys Knob depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Yorkeys Knob?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Yorkeys Knob may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Yorkeys Knob?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Queensland fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Yorkeys Knob is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14% of Yorkeys Knob in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 58.7% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Yorkeys Knob Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections