January 11, 2013

Fire crews have been kept busy around the South Burnett today, targeting grassfires sparked by lightning strikes from yesterday’s storms.

Lightning was blamed for fires at Sunny Nook, Crownthorpe, Elgin Vale and Ironpot.

Earlier today, seven fire crews were at the scene of a grass fire burning out of control in remote country at Cobbs Hill Road, Sunny Nook, near Cloyna.

At 3:00pm, an Emergency Services spokesman said the fire had been contained behind lines cleared by the landholder and was now being monitored from the air.

A grass fire sparked by lightning near Nangur Road at Crownthorpe had also been brought under control.

Fire crews were called to Ironpot this afternoon to tackle another grass fire sparked by lightning.

Rural crews were also on the scene of grass fires at Evans Road, Ballogie, and Chinchilla-Wondai Road, Durong.

No property was under threat although cattle were being moved away from the fires.

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The alert level has been increased for all rural firefighters throughout the North Coast region.

From midnight tonight the Wildfire Alert Level (WAL) will be lifted to 3.

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UPDATE January 12:  At 9.15am today, firefighters remain on the scene of the bushfire burning at Manumbar Road, Elgin Vale.

A QFRS spokesman said crews would continue to monitor the fire throughout the day and into the evening.

Residents experiencing smoke in their area are advised to keep doors and windows closed and medications close by if they suffer from a respiratory condition. Motorists are also urged to drive with caution.

At Cloyna, a grass fire is still burning in remote country near Cobbs Hill Road.  A QFRS spokesman said there was no threat to property.