August 12, 2015
Two waterbombers were called in to help control a large grassfire burning in the Coolabunia-Hodgeleigh area on Wednesday afternoon.
A specially equipped helicopter picked up water loads from local dams to dump on the blaze.https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2015/08/waterbomber-called-to-large-grass-fire/
Another helicopter was allowing a fire controller to direct operations from the air.
At 2:10pm, the fire had been contained but was still burning.
A QFES spokesperson said the waterbombers were being re-fuelled and then an assessment would be made to see if they were required again.
She said firefighters were still working to extinguish the fire.
The blaze broke out in grassland in the Bellbird Road / White Rock Road area about 9:00am. The windy conditions meant the flames spread rapidly.
Twenty fire crews were called to scene.
Rural crews included Ballogie, Booie Rise, Brooklands, Kunioon-Hodgleigh, Malar Booie, Sandy Ridges, South Nanango, Stuart River, Taromeo and Wattle Camp plus two urban units.
Firefighters conducted backburning in a bid to control the fire and also did property protection, although no homes were under direct threat.
Smoke covered a large area near the blaze.
UPDATE 4:00pm: A waterbombing helicopter has dropped several more loads on the grassfire. The blaze is burning within containment lines and poses no threat to property.
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Wednesday afternoon’s storms, which brought hail to parts of Blackbutt, Yarraman and Kumbia as well as some short downpours in Kingaroy, didn’t help the fire crews working at Hodgeleigh.
By 4:00pm, the fire ground had received little if any rain.
[Photos by Howard Jack Photography and southburnett.com.au]
Thank you to the local fire crews fantastic job in difficult conditions.