September 1, 2017
11:20am – Advice from QFES
The QFES is no longer required at this incident.
Crews will continue to monitor throughout the coming days.
* * *
Thursday, August 31
1:45pm – Advice from QFES
The bushfire warning for Wattle Camp has been cancelled.
Four Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews remain on scene at the bushfire burning in the vicinity of Wattle Camp Road and Memerambi Barkers Creek Road, Wattle Camp.
The fire is burning within containment lines and firefighters are conducting backburning operations to strengthen these lines.
Properties are not under direct threat at this time.
Memerambi Barkers Creek Road remains closed while crews continue to monitor the area.
People in the area will be affected by smoke into the afternoon and are asked to close windows and doors.
Those suffering a respiratory condition should keep medications close by. Motorists in the area should drive with caution and to conditions.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
* * *
10:00am – From Mayor Keith Campbell, chairman of the Local Disaster Management Group
Approximately 300-350ha has been burnt.
Twenty-two rural fire service crews, nine fire and rescue crews, 10 SES personnel, six QPS personnel, three QAS personnel, two council personnel and plant were on site as well as several private contractors.
Crews were back at 7:00am today.
Areas on the western and northern flanks are under control.
On the eastern flank, Council’s grader did a lot of work and today the focus will be on Wattle Camp Road to strengthen containment lines.
The road is blocked on Memerambi Barkers Creek Road (between Birch Road and Wattle Camp Road) and is closed to through traffic. Local traffic is accepted.
Evaluation will be done this morning to ascertain when the road can be re-opened.
The goal today is to continue to patrol, and strengthen containment lines with a dozer.
The Local Disaster Management Group stood down at 9:45am today as the event no longer requires assistance or management beyond the resources of the local emergency services.
Thank you to all the emergency services involved.
Community messaging will be sent out from QFES as developments occur.
* * *
10:00am – Advice from QFES
Wattle Camp residents need to keep up to date and decide what actions they will take if the situation changes.
At 10:00am on Thursday, the bushfire remains active in the Wattle Camp area and firefighters are backburning and constructing fire breaks to the east of Wattle Camp Road in an attempt to control the blaze.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Properties are not under direct threat at this time.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
The next update will be provided when the situation changes.
Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
* * *
Wednesday, August 30
5:45pm – Advice from QFES
Wattle Camp residents need to keep up to date and decide what actions you will take if the situation changes.
Currently at 5:45pm on Wednesday a bushfire remains active in the Wattle Camp area and firefighters are backburning and constructing fire breaks in an attempt to control the blaze. Firefighters will remain on scene overnight.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Properties are not under direct threat at this time.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
The next update will be provided when the situation changes.
Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
* * *
5:00pm – From Mayor Keith Campbell, chairman of the Local Disaster Management Group
The large bushfire burning at Wattle Camp started at a McClymont Road property around noon.
Sixty QFES personnel are on the scene with assistance from Queensland Police Services, Council, Queensland Ambulance Service and SES – around 75 personnel in total.
From ignition, the fire moved in three directions with currently around 150ha burnt or still burning, 25 appliances are in attendance with one water bombing helicopter.
There are three properties immediately under threat however many resources are on site protecting these structures, no properties have been lost and no forced evacuations at this stage.
The fire is heading in a northerly direction and is approximately 1km from the National Park; National Parks staff are on the scene in this area.
The fire is growing in an easterly direction and poses the biggest threat at this time.
Fire crews will patrol the fire throughout the night and are expecting the fire will remain active for the next couple of days.
The weather is expected to remain in a similar pattern over the next couple of days with 15-20km/h winds.
The LDMG would like to remind the community of the exclusion zone currently in place.
Smoke is a significant health hazard, so please take precautions and seek medical advice is you are experiencing any difficulties breathing.
The next update will be at 10:00am on Thursday (August 31).
* * *
3:40pm – From Mayor Keith Campbell, chairman of the Local Disaster Management Group
Today at 2:00pm I was made aware of a fast burning bush fire at the intersection of Wattle Camp Road and Memerambi-Barkers Creek Road, Wattle Camp.
After speaking with the District Disaster Co-ordinator, I have moved the Local Disaster Management Group to Stand Up (status).
There has been an exclusion zone issued by the South Burnett Regional Council as responsible for the co-ordination of Local Disaster Management.
Next update is scheduled for approximately 5:00pm
* * *
3:30pm – Advice from QFES
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advises there is a bushfire in Wattle Camp and conditions are getting worse.
Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.
Currently as at 3:30pm, a fast moving grassfire is travelling in an east-north easterly direction towards Memerambi Barkers Creek Road. It is expected to impact the vicinity of Memerambi Barkers Creek Road and Wattle Camp Road within the next two hours.
The fire could have significant impact on the community.
Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
The safest route to leave the area would be to head east along Memerambi Barkers Creek Road towards the Burnett Highway and away from the smoke.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you are under threat.
The next update will be provided by 5:30pm or if the situation changes.
Bushfire warning level: WATCH AND ACT
* * *
2:15pm – From South Burnett Regional Council
An exclusion zone has been established in a one kilometre radius of the Memerambi Barkers Creek Road / Wattle Camp Road intersection.
Fire crews are on the scene.
All persons are asked to evacuate area.
There is no unauthorised entry into the exclusion zone.
Further updates will follow as information becomes available.
* * *
1:30pm – Advice from QFES
LEAVE NOW: Wattle Camp (near Kingaroy)
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advises there is a bushfire in Wattle Camp and conditions are getting worse.
Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.
Currently as at 1:30pm, a fast moving grassfire is travelling in a north westerly direction towards Memerambi Barkers Creek Road.
It is expected to impact Memerambi Barkers Creek Road near the Wattle Camp Road intersection imminently. The fire could have significant impact on the community.
Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
The safest route to leave the area would be to head east along Memerambi Barkers Creek Road towards the Burnett Highway and away from the smoke.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you are under threat.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
• Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates.
• Put on protective clothing (e.g., a long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots with thick soles).
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
If you are leaving:
• Secure your pets for safe transport.
• Check for road closures and then advise family and friends of your intended travel route.
• Take your important documents and essential items (e.g., passports, birth certificates, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing) when you leave.
• Drive with caution in low visibility conditions.
If you are not leaving:
• Bring pets inside; restrain them with a leash, a cage, or inside a secure room; and provide them with plenty of water.
• Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins, and outdoor furniture away from your house.
• Fill containers such as your bath, sinks, and buckets with water so you have access to drinking water and firefighting water.
• Close windows and doors, sealing the gaps under doors and screens with wet towels to keep smoke out of the house.
• If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by.
KEEP UP TO DATE BY:
• Following QFES on Facebook (@QldFireandRescueService) and Twitter (@QldFES)
• Staying tuned to your local radio station. Find your local ABC radio station at https://radio.abc.net.au/help/offline and your local commercial radio station at http://www.commercialradio.com.au/find-a-station/queensland
• Visiting the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/maps
FURTHER INFORMATION:
• For bushfire preparation tips, visit the RFS website: www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety
• For information about road closures, call 13 19 40 or visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au\
The next update will be provided by 3:30pm or if the situation changes.
Bushfire warning level: WATCH AND ACT
[Originally published as “Wattle Camp Fire – Leave Now”]
