AFTER all fire permits were cancelled last week throughout the region, firefighters spent much of their weekend battling blazes.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford today praised the efforts of hundreds of QFES staff and volunteers involved in the weekend fight against 230 vegetation fires.
Speaking ahead of a visit tomorrow to Tamborine Mountain and Beaudesert, Mr Crawford said hard-working personnel from the state’s Rural Fire Brigades, Fire and Rescue Service, supported by SES volunteers, who combined to battle the blazes.
“It was a wonderful effort by everyone involved as there were 230 vegetation fires and exposures across the state on the weekend,” Mr Crawford said.
“Apart from the tremendous work of all involved, the weekend was a clear sign the fire season is about four to six weeks ahead of schedule. We have more fuel on the ground than we’ve seen in a long time and soil moisture is extremely low with no immediate rain forecast.
“We are talking about conditions very different to what we would normally experience at this time of year - conditions we haven’t seen for some time, and conditions conducive to the rapid spread of fire.”
In the south eastern region, there were 67 vegetation fires and exposures over the weekend.
“Of the 100 of appliances and support vehicles activated throughout the state over the weekend, almost 60 were assigned to bushfires yesterday for the south eastern region,” Mr Crawford said.
“One firefighter suffered from heat stress at Fernvale and one firefighter suffered minor burns at Linville.
“Structural and vehicle losses included an old cottage, two sheds, five vehicles, a truck and a caravan.
“Six WATCH and ACT messages were issued by QFES at Tallengala, Mutdapilly and Ballandean, and air support was utilised for observation, mapping and water bombing.”
A fire in Canungra topped off a busy Sunday for firefighters in the Scenic Rim.
A spokesman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said firefighters had responded to a call about a possible house fire at 8.05pm.
The responding crew arrived at the address on Lamington National Park Road to find that a tree in front of the house had caught alight.
The fire had also been burning near a shed and a pile of flammable material, the spokesman said.
The firefighters broke up the pile of material, wet down the area to prevent the fire restarting and used thermal imaging equipment to check for residual heat.
“Police were not required and QFES left the property at 9pm in the hands of the owner,” he said.
Multiple fire trucks from both auxilliary and rural brigades had earlier rushed to control a 100-acre grass fire in Rathdowney.
The QFES spokesman said a dry winter after a relatively wet summer at the end of last year had created heavier fuel loads.
“We generally don’t see these types of fires until September or October,” he said.
“This could serve as a wake-up call to clear leaf litter on their properties and make sure their lawns are kept short.”
Mr Crawford said there were currently about 20 bushfire incidents across Queensland.
“Extra firefighters remain on standby, and in south-east Queensland all permits to burn have been cancelled until midnight tonight.
“Fire permits have been cancelled in the Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Logan City, Gold Coast and Somerset Regional Council local government areas.”
Mr Crawford said the combination of prolonged dry conditions and high fuel loads meant the state was at risk of a long, active bushfire season.
“It’s very dry out there and we need the public to be vigilant, ready to act and monitor the situation,” Mr Crawford said.
“The weekend was just an example of the conditions we can regularly expect to see in coming months, particularly in western areas such as the Ipswich, Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley regions.
“I’m asking residents to finalise their bushfire survival plans, including contingencies for pets and livestock should fire threaten their area.”
Mr Crawford urged people to report any sign of fire to triple zero (000) immediately.
