By Jeremy Sollars
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has confirmed the large bushfire at Rosenthal Heights yesterday, Sunday 14 January, began as a permitted burn on Saturday night.
A QFES spokeswoman told the Free Times today, Monday, that a local fire warden had advised QFES that the burn was being started on Saturday night and that wind and other conditions had been deemed to be “appropriate” at that time.
Some locals have questioned the wisdom of starting a permitted burn during what the Bureau of Meteorology has described as a “low intensity heatwave” in Warwick over recent days, with temperatures in the high 30s and extremely dry conditions prevailing.
QFES had originally told the Free Times the permitted burn commenced on Friday.
The fire, which escalated early on Sunday afternoon during strong westerly winds is now “burning safely within containment lines”, according to QFES.
The fire tore through around 40 hectares of bushland in the vicinity of Ranger Road and Kingsleigh Road, but no structures were involved.
Property owned by the Schnitzerling family, which owns the Warwick Brick Works, was involved, and it is understood timber earmarked for use in the Brick Works kilns was lost.
Around two dozen urban and rural fire crews battled to contain the fire yesterday afternoon and night, including crews from Killarney and Stanthorpe.
The fire came close to the New England Highway, which was closed for a period late Sunday due to visibility.
PHOTO – PAUL STUMKAT.
