Firefighters have been lauded for their efforts to suppress a blaze that ripped through about 200 hectares of mostly national park this week.
Crews are still in the Beerwah area, where they continue to deepen containment lines, and they remain vigilant ahead of expected high temperatures today.
They were forced into action on Sunday afternoon, when the fire, which is being treated as suspicious, burst into life.
Emergency warnings were issued and residents were urged to leave immediately.
There were various warnings during the next few days, particularly for properties between Steve Irwin Way, Irwin Road, Mawsons Road and the Bruce Highway, including Holt Road.
The fire, mainly within the Glass House National Park, intensified on Monday, when a slew of resources was put into action to counter it.
“It (the fire) did get close to a couple of properties, but crews were able to pull the fire up before it got in contact with the properties,” the Director of Rural Fire Service, Chief Superintendent Matt Inwood, said.
He praised the efforts of firefighters.
“It was a great effort by all of the firefighting personnel.”
“Because of the nature of the country and the dry conditions it (the fire) was fairly active on Sunday afternoon when it first started and then again on Monday afternoon, when the heat and wind were behind it.
“But we had a significant number of crews and aircraft on the fire, and they were able to bring it under control.
“They were able to get some control lines around it and they’ve done a fantastic job. They got in there and did some hard work firefighting, to make sure they could get that fire to where it is now.”
During the peak of the blaze, there were more than 60 firefighting vehicles and six water bombing aircraft in action, including helicopters and fixed wing aircraft on float that sourced water from dams.
Crews from the Rural Fire Service, Queensland Parks and Wildlife, and HQ Plantations were on scene.
Resources were halved by yesterday, but were set to remain in the area for days.
“Crews will continue to monitor and control it in coming days as we’ve got some warmer weather – fire weather – coming through,” he said.
“We’ll continue to have crews on the ground blacking out edges and deepening containment lines where required. That will continue into the weekend.”
A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said planned burns and mechanical mitigation works in the area during the past couple of years, “significantly reduced the impacts of the unplanned fire”.
Under investigation
The fire is under investigation by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Queensland Police Service.
“Police continue to investigate a suspicious vegetation fire in Beerwah on September 18, including whether human activity contributed to the cause of the blaze,” police said.
“Hooning is one of the lines of inquiry being investigated.
“However, there are many variables and possibilities being looked at.”
Crews on guard
Fire crews in the Beerwah area, and around the state, are braced for potentially dangerous conditions on Thursday, when the temperature was expected to reach the low to mid 30s.
“We’re going to see some challenging conditions,” Chief Superintendent Matt Inwood said.
“A bit of north-westerly wind could come in and it will be a warm day.
“We’re not expecting high wind speeds but we’re remaining vigilant with it, keeping crews and aircraft on that fire over coming days and into the weekend to ensure we have the resources there should anything happen to take off.”
Stronger winds were expected on Friday and into the weekend, but the temperature was set to decrease then.
Timely reminder
Sunshine Coast Council issued a media release on Thursday, saying this week’s bush fire at Beerwah was a timely reminder for Sunshine Coast residents to be prepared before the next severe weather event.
Council said there were steps to help safeguard family, home and business from extreme weather events, including understanding your risk, preparing a household emergency plan and packing an emergency kit ,along with staying up to date with important information via Disaster Hub, which displays weather warnings, road closures and evacuation centres listed on one easy-to-use site. It also links to airport updates, traffic cameras, flood mapping and Council’s news updates and social media.
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