August 13, 2015
Rural firefighters are urging residents to be vigilant with heightened fire conditions predicted today and in coming days.
Very high fire danger is forecast for the Wide Bay and Burnett today.
RFSQ Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Varley said residents should take extra care and be alert, as warm temperatures combined with low humidity and increased winds created dangerous fire conditions.
“Under these conditions, any bushfires that break out are likely to be fast moving and unpredictable,” Mr Varley said.
“Unattended or mismanaged fires may create sparks and cause fires to spread quickly, so we’re asking residents to be on the lookout and report any vegetation fires to Triple Zero immediately.
“The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Fire Investigation Unit and Queensland Police Service Arson Squad will be monitoring all fire developments to determine if any criminal or negligent actions are occurring.”
Mr Varley said landowners who had conducted hazard reduction burns recently were strongly encouraged to take immediate steps to ensure their fire had been properly extinguished.
“Landowners who have conducted burns must make sure residual fires are contained so that they will not escape,” he said.
Mr Varley said with fire activity ramping up across the state, it was crucial for residents to prepare their homes and properties.
“If they haven’t already, I urge residents to finalise their preparations and visit the RFSQ website to download a bushfire survival plan, so that no one is caught off guard,” he said.
“People should never throw cigarette butts out of the car window and always be careful when operating machinery in grassed areas.”
