A prescribed burnoff across the forested slopes of Mount Misery near Canungra in South-East Queensland. Ribbons of smoke drift across the warm glow of the setting sun providing a ghostly appearance as sunlight filters through the smoke and low cloud, illuminating the ridgeline in shades of gold, amber and grey.

Pockets of smoke rise from the lower vegetation, revealing the carefully managed nature of the operation while highlighting the rugged terrain of the Scenic Rim region.

Prescribed burns play an important role in managing Australia's bushland. Burns such as this reduce fuel loads and help to lessen the intensity of future bushfires. They also contribute to the health of many native ecosystems that have evolved alongside periodic fire. This image captures both the power and the purpose of fire in the Australian landscape.

The combination of smoke, light and forest creates a dramatic scene that reflects the ongoing balance between land management, environmental stewardship and the natural forces that shape Queensland's rural and wilderness areas.