As bushfires burn across south-east Queensland and with predictions for a horror fire season still to come, doubt has been cast over whether Brisbane's annual Riverfire event will proceed.

Key points: Organisers of Riverfire are reviewing whether or not the fireworks display will go ahead

Organisers of Riverfire are reviewing whether or not the fireworks display will go ahead Queensland is under a statewide fire ban after days of relentless blazes across the south-east

Queensland is under a statewide fire ban after days of relentless blazes across the south-east The Acting Premier and climatologists say the crisis is worsened by climate change

The major fireworks display marks the end of the Brisbane Festival each year and attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Held in late September, the event does not usually contend with the bushfire season, but hundreds of firefighters have spent the past several days battling blazes that have destroyed more than 20 homes.

And while a statewide fire ban remains in place, festival organisers have announced that one of its centrepieces, Fire Gardens, will be postponed by one week.

Festival organisers have postponed the Fire Gardens event because of the fire ban. ( Supplied: Brisbane Festival )

The outdoor event at the City Botanic Gardens was to feature "huge spheres of leaping flames" and "fiery urns"' by French artists Compagnie Carabosse.

Festival chairman Paul Spiro said the organisers were "sensitive to the anguish" of people who had lost their homes and livelihoods.

The decision came after Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate criticised the Star casino for hosting a fireworks show on Monday night while firefighters battled blazes in the hinterland.

"It just sends a signal of, 'Yep, we're partying at the beach while you burn in the hinterland'. It's not right," Cr Tate said.

Ballandean rural firefighter Aaron Cox broke down after saving his own home from the fires. ( Facebook: Bindi Cox )

In regard to Riverfire, festival organisers told ABC Radio Brisbane's Rebecca Levingston that they were yet to make a decision on the future of this year's event.

"Riverfire is a much-loved community event which has been safely taking place across Brisbane's skies for 21 years. This major civic event draws together over 500,000 people to our river's edge," the festival said in a statement.

"In times of adversity, it is important for community morale for civic events to continue.

"Brisbane Festival recognises that this year it's a perfect opportunity to raise much-needed funds for GIVIT and the Queensland bushfire appeal.

"We are currently exploring ways that this can take place throughout the day. We are currently working out options and will provide an update in the coming days."

Fireworks and the environment

The topic sparked fierce debate among ABC Radio Brisbane listeners, with many also questioning if fireworks had a place in a modern society affected by climate change.

On Sunday, Acting Premier Jackie Trad said the current fire crisis was driven by climate change.

"There is no doubt that with an increasing temperature with climate change, then what the scientists tell us is that events such as these will be more frequent and they will be much more ferocious," Ms Trad said.

Her comments were further supported by climatologists and bushfire experts who said the record drought combined with a record warm winter fuelled this year's grim fire outlook.

Darker red and yellow colours show an increase in the length and intensity of the fire weather season since 1978. ( Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology )

With the environment in mind, some listeners asked whether fireworks would just exacerbate the issue and even ignite further fires.

There is little conclusive research published to date about the direct correlation between fireworks and climate change.

But fireworks can lead to substantial air pollution problems, something that is closely linked to climate change.

Research has found that fireworks release ozone — a secondary pollutant and greenhouse gas.

Studies have also shown the smoke and air pollutants produced by fireworks cause short-term air-quality deteriorations, especially for people with asthma or other breathing difficulties.

In the United States, July 4 fireworks emit the equivalent of 50,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Last year's Riverfire used more than 11 tonnes of fireworks, and 2019 was expected to follow suit.

Fireworks release ozone — a secondary pollutant and greenhouse gas. ( ABC News: Daniel Miller )

Here's what else you had to say

Dennis: "Fireworks should be replaced by more friendly laser lightshows. Old fireworks cause noise and smoke pollution, animal harm."

Kathy: "Fireworks are really bad for the environment too. How about a solar-powered lightshow? Hong Kong has these."

Michael: "This is an event that unites people, brings people together. Rather than cancelling Riverfire due to the bushfire tragedy, why not turn the event into one massive fundraising appeal for those who have been affected by the fires?"

Jerry: "Fireworks are a complete waste of money. I've never understood them while people starve and the economy is bad. Bright lights, bad money."

Tyrone: "An event like Riverfire is fine in a big city. It's an annual event in a city where it's safe. It unites, it brings people together. Smaller fireworks events maybe aren't a great idea … certainly people firing off private fireworks is stupid."