By ALENA HIGGINS
THREE aircraft water bombers have been called in to help battle a large bushfire burning east of Ballandean.
No properties were under threat as of yesterday morning, but fire and emergency services were bracing themselves for possible flare-ups with extreme fire conditions forecast later in the day.
The situation took a turn for the worse on Tuesday afternoon, with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) issuing a Watch and Act alert for residents from Doctors Creek Road to Parrish Lane advising them to enact their bushfire plans or evacuate as the then uncontrolled blaze raced towards the area.
Glen Aplin Brigade volunteer Mick Thompson has been on the ground fighting the inferno since it sparked on Monday.
“I’ve just been going home and having a quick sleep and then coming back,” he said yesterday.
Mr Thompson said he and his counterparts hoped to contain the fire that day, weather permitting, with the help of aerial attack.
“At this stage it is looking good, we will have aircraft water bombers here in about half-an-hour and they can assist us to steer the fire to where we want it to go,” he said.
“At the moment it is along Eukey Road and we are hoping to get it contained between Eukey and Pyramids roads.”
Multiply fire crews, with the help of National Parks and Southern Downs Regional Council, have been busy back-burning around dozens of properties in the Eukey/Ballandeen area in a bid to keep them safe.
If conditions were favourable, parts of nearby Girraween National Park would also be targeted, Mr Thompson said.
Southern Downs Regional Council has provided a water truck and grazers and bulldozers to help clear shrubbery and bolster fire breaks.
Thousands of acres are estimated to have been burnt and smoke could be seen and smelt as far north as Warwick yesterday morning.
There are reports several wineries have already lost significant amounts of valuable crops.
The council’s local disaster co-ordinator Peter See said it was maintaining a “watching brief” and had made some arrangements “as a contingency”.
“We have an area available in the community contact centre in Warwick Council offices set aside if required for Local Disaster Management Group activation,” Mr See said.
“Council’s Community Services staff members have checked on accommodation at motels in Stanthorpe if required.”
The bushfire comes amid a string of searing hot and windy days, with temperatures on Monday smashing long-held October records across most of the district.
The Eukey Road fire is among nine currently being fought across Southern Queensland, including a less emergent one at Glenlyon south-west of Stanthorpe.
Area director of Toowoomba Rural Fire Service Paul Storrs issued a timely reminder to avoid any type of activity that could spark a fire, including welding, mowing or slashing.
Mr Thompson said people living nearby should remain alert and be prepared to act in case the blaze flares.
“If you are not confident or haven’t prepared your property then get out early,” Mr Thompson said.
“Houses can be re-built, lives can’t.”
The blaze is being investigated by the Fire Investigation Unit.
Regular updated information can be found at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or by listening to local radio.
