Fire Warning To Cherbourg Residents

20170929 Cherbourg Fire — Firefighters discuss tactics at the Bertie Button Lookout picnic area at Cherbourg

September 29, 2017

Two water bombers, a helicopter and multiple fire units were called to Cherbourg on Friday afternoon to fight a quickly moving grassfire which began in the adjacent forestry area.

Firefighters from Cherbourg, Murgon and Wondai urban brigades joined multiple rural units – including Tablelands, Cloyna and Goomeri – plus firefighters from Stuart River and Kingaroy, and Queensland Parks and Wildlife staff at the scene.

The fire began in the bushland at the back of the Bert Button Lookout and quickly jumped a road, heading towards the Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Firefighters feared a change of wind direction could sweep the fire up a hill into the path of homes on the southern end of Murray Street.

Two large bulldozers were brought in to clear firebreaks around the lookout, adjacent houses and down to the dam.

Two fixed-wing aircraft took turns at dropping loads of water on the fire.

Murgon SES volunteers and an ambulance crew also attended, to be on call if they were needed.

A QFES alert at 2:15pm warned Cherbourg residents they should be prepared to leave as the conditions could get worse.

By 5:00pm, the fire was burning away from homes, heading in the direction of the dam however firefighters were preparing to start backburning to ensure the safety of residents.

At 10:00pm, the QFES reported the fire was posing no threat to property. The fire was contained and firefighters were continuing to monitor the blaze.

Firefighters told southburnett.com.au they expected to be on site late into the evening or overnight.

UPDATE September 30: QFES firefighters left the scene on Saturday morning after completing backburning operations, handing responsibility back to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. An area of approximately 600-700ha was burned out.

NB. An earlier version of this report said a helicopter was picking up water from the dam and dumping it on the fire. From the vantage point of our reporter, this is what appeared to be happening as a helicopter was swooping low over the dam and then circling the fireground before returning to the dam. However, we have since confirmed the State Government-contracted McDermott Aviation Aerospatiale Squirrel helicopter was in fact acting as a spotter for the two fixed-wing water bombers. We misidentified it as one of McDermott Aviation’s waterbombing Bell 214Bs or the 204B which was in action at the Wattle Camp fire. We hope this clarifies our report for the Murgon firefighters who raised concerns.

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Earlier:

At 5:45pm

The previous bushfire warning for Cherbourg has been downgraded.

Currently the fire is travelling in a southerly direction from Murray Road and Lookout Road towards Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Fire crews are backburning and using heavy machinery in the area in an effort to contain the fire.

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 are under threat.

*** * ***

At 5:10pm

The fire is now burning safely towards Bjelke-Petersen Dam but firefighters are concerned a change in wind direction later this evening could put several houses under threat.

To counter this, a bulldozer has been brought in to construct fire breaks, and firefighters plan to conduct backburning later this evening.

Urban and rural fire crews are still on scene and are likely to remain there overnight.

[UPDATED]

*** * ***

At 2:15pm

Firefighters have warned Cherbourg residents that they should prepare to leave.

QFES has advised that conditions could get worse.

“You need to be ready to follow your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly,” a QFES spokesman said.

At 2.15pm, a large and fast moving fire was travelling from Murray Road and Lookout Road towards Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

The fire was likely to impact houses on the southern end of Murray Road, past the water treatment plant heading away from the main township.

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.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe your property is under threat.

*** * ***

At 2:00pm

Cherbourg residents have been warned by firefighters that a bushfire is burning in the vicinity of Murray Road.

The fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

A QFES spokesman said people in the area would be affected by smoke, which would reduce visibility and air quality.

“Firefighters are currently trying to contain the fire,” the spokesman said.

“Water bombing aircraft will also be in the area throughout the afternoon.

“Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.”

*** * ***

Advice from the QFES

Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates.

If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it.

If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes.

Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure.

If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by.

Drive with caution in low visibility conditions.

Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire.

Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave.