January 9, 2017
Firefighters have blamed an arsonist for a blaze which has temporarily closed the Goodger Wetland Reserve to the public.
A post on the Brooklands Rural Fire Brigade’s Facebook page said more than 90 per cent of the area between the old Goodger Store through to the former Goodger School building had been burned during multiple incidents on Saturday.
Neither building was damaged.
Firefighters were first called to control a small fire on Saturday morning but were then called back to the area about 3:15pm to fight a much larger fire.
On Monday afternoon, firefighters were still on the scene although the fire was burning within breaks.
A Brooklands brigade member wrote on Facebook that there had been “two ignition sources” along the Kingaroy-Cooyar Road.
“As a result of alleged arson, the Goodger Wetland Reserve will be closed to the public until further notice,” a Council spokesperson said on Monday.
“Queensland Fire & Emergency Services have contained the fire and are monitoring the area, however there are numerous large trees that have become unstable and may drop limbs without warning.
“The boardwalk is also closed as a result of structural damage.
“Further vegetation assessment will be undertaken by Council personnel once the area is deemed safe to enter.
“Council thanks residents for their patience and will provide further updates regarding access to the wetland.”
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Also on Saturday afternoon, local rural firefighters were called to a roadside grass fire at Geritz Road, Kingaroy – not far from the Goodger blaze.
This fire broke out about 12:40pm, but was quickly contained and extinguished.
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Anyone with information as to how the Goodger fires started on Saturday, or who may have seen a car on the roadside at the Goodger Wetland around 4:30am on Saturday, has been asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800-333-000.
- External link: Photos from the Goodger fire (Brooklands RFB)
