Fire Activity Report as at 6.30am

19/10/2009 6:27:21 AM

Fire conditions
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) is urging Queenslanders to remain vigilant and on alert with very high fire danger conditions expected to affect many parts of the State over coming days.

Yesterday, fire crews attended 41 blazes across the State. These fires involved more than 460 personnel and 170 appliances, tankers, heavy plant and aircraft.

Fire bans remain across much of Queensland until midnight tonight and will be reviewed today. Further information on the location of fire bans is detailed below.

A very high fire danger remains in place in most districts. In these conditions, even a small grass fire has the potential to turn into a large bushfire very quickly. It is important that people take extreme care with power tools and ensure that adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire that may start. Motorists must also refrain from flicking cigarette butts outside car windows.

If you do see a grass fire, even if it is only small it is important to notify triple zero (000) immediately.

The QFRS is equipped with the personnel and equipment to provide rapid response where required.

Information on fire bans are outlined below.

Residents should continue to be prepared to enact their bushfire plans and take advice from authorities.

CENTRAL REGION
Mt Archer National Park
The QFRS advises residents living in or around the Mt Archer area that a large bushfire continues to burn in this area.

However, the immediate threat has passed to residential areas with the blaze currently contained to the Mt Archer National Park. Several fire crews remained on scene overnight attending to flare ups and undertaking backburning activities. Backburning and the strengthening of containment lines will continue today. Approximately 6,000 hectares has been burnt by the blaze.

While the immediate threat to residential areas has passed for now, isolated pockets of unburnt land remain and the fire will continue to burn.

Yesterday, the Queensland Police Service reopened several roads in the area. The eastbound lanes of the Rockhampton Yeppoon Road between Norman Road and the Cawarral turnoff is now open, as well as Emu Park Road, Thozet Road and Bloxsom Street.

Motorists are advised to remain cautious on local roads due to a number of emergency vehicles in the area.

Residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if their property comes under threat.

Tanby Road, Tanby
Fire crews will continue to conduct backburning activities today in Tanby Road at Tanby.
The fire broke out around noon yesterday and is mainly burning in inaccessible areas. No homes are under threat at this time.

Dawson Highway, Springsure
Three fire crews continue to monitor a fire near the Dawson Highway at Springsure. The fire is burning within containment lines and no properties are under threat at this time. Approximately 10,000 hectares has been burnt by the blaze. Fire crews will continue to undertake backburning activities today. No homes are under threat at this time.

Connors River Collaroy Road, Lotus Creek
Fire crews will continue to monitor a large fire on Connors River Collaroy Road at Lotus Creek today. The fire has been burning for several days in woodland areas and has been continuously monitored by firefighters and aircraft. It is estimated approximately 70,000 hectares has been burnt by the blaze. Overnight, firefighters conducted backburning on the southern sector of the blaze and will continue this activity this morning. No homes are under threat at this time.

NORTH COAST REGION
Mooney Road, Gaeta
Fire crews will continue to patrol the perimeter of a large fire on Mooney Road, Gaeta. This fire has been burning for several days and three rural fire crew are currently on scene. Firefighters conducted backburning activities overnight and will continue to do so today. No properties are under threat at this time.

Kalpowar Road, Kolonga
Fire crews will return today to a fire on Kalpowar Road, Kolonga to patrol the perimeter. This fire has been burning in the area for a number of days and is currently contained. A bulldozer was used overnight to strengthen containment lines. There is no threat to structures.

Kilkivan Tansey Road, Tansey
Fire crews will continue to monitor a blaze on Kilkivan Tansey Road at Tansey that is burning in inaccessible areas. This fire has been burning for several days and containment lines will continue to be established today. No homes are under threat.

NORTHERN REGION
Rowe Road, Woodstock
Fire crews will continue to monitor a grass fire on Rowe Road at Woodstock which has been burning for several days. There is no threat to property at this time.

Mt Spec Road, Crystal Creek/Paluma
Fire crews will return to a fire near Mt Spec Road in the Crystal Creek and Paluma area. The fire started around 8.20am yesterday morning and overnight rain has helped to control the fire. Mt Spec Road at the Bruce Highway entrance remains closed due to fallen trees. Fire crews will patrol the area today in case of flare ups.

FIRE BANS
Fire bans were imposed in the Local Government areas of North Burnett, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, South Burnett, Gympie, Cherbourg, Bundaberg, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Ipswich City, Scenic Rim, Logan City, Gold Coast, Brisbane City, Redland City and Moreton Bay from midnight last night.

Fire bans also remain in the Local Government areas of Toowoomba, Western Downs, Southern Downs, Paroo, Balonne, Goondiwindi, Maranoa, Murweh, Palm Island, Banana, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Central Highlands, Woorabinda, Isaac, Mackay, Hinchinbrook, Townsville, Whitsunday, Charters Towers, Flinders, Richmond and Burdekin.

All fire bans will be imposed until midnight Monday, 19 October and may be extended if dangerous fire conditions continue across the State.

The Rural Fire Service has put a ban on the lighting of all fires in these areas, including permit fires as a precaution with high, and at times extreme, conditions expected to continue.

The following exemptions apply under fire ban conditions:
• The use of gas and electric barbecues are permitted provided they are not left unattended. The use of wood fire barbecues is prohibited;
• Fires for the purpose of disposal of animal carcasses are permitted, subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the local Fire Warden;
• Fires of commercial necessity are permitted subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the Area Director Rural Operations;
• Fires for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry; and
• Fires for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash on cane production land between the hours of 1800 (6.00 pm) and 0900 (9.00 am).

Regular updated information will be provided on the QFRS Rural Operations website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by listening to your local radio station.