August 19, 2018
At 6:50pm Sunday:
QFES crews will continue to monitor a vegetation fire burning near Wild Deer Drive and Stretton Road, Teelah.
The fire is contained but is producing smoke.
* * *
Earlier:
A fire that began on Saturday afternoon at Teelah, near Blackbutt, was still keeping fire crews busy on Sunday evening.
The fire has been burning largely in inaccessible country, but at one stage threatened properties which backed into the valley.
Multiple fire crews have been stationed around the ridges protecting homes.
At the peak of the fire on Saturday evening, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service issued a “LEAVE NOW” warning to residents.
Later in the evening, this was downgraded to “ADVICE” status (see below), where it remained all day Sunday.
A helicopter has also been kept busy dropping loads of water on the fire front.
The area around Wild Deer Drive, Scotts Close and Stretton Drive at Teelah has been the scene of several major fires over the past few years.
* * *
At 2:35pm Sunday:
QFES advises that it is continuing to respond to the bushfire at Teelah.
You need to keep up to date and decide what actions you will take if the situation changes.
At 2.35pm, the bushfire is travelling in an east-north-east direction towards Teelah.
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 but firefighters will continue to work in the area, in the vicinity of Wild Deer Drive, Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
* * *
EARLIER:
At 8:55am Sunday:
QFES advises that it is continuing to respond to a bushfire in Teelah.
You need to keep up-to:date and decide what actions you will take if the situation changes.
At 8:55am, a bushfire is travelling in an east-north-east direction towards Teelah.
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 but firefighters will continue to work in the area, in the vicinity of Wild Deer Drive, Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
* * *
At 10:28pm Saturday:
QFES has advised the alert level for the Teelah fire has been downgraded to ADVICE.
You need to keep up-to-date and decide what actions you will take if the situation change
At 10:28pm, the fire was travelling in an east-north-east direction towards Teelah.
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.
Crews are currently backburning along Stretton Drive.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property are under threat.
* * *
At 8:35pm Saturday:
LEAVE NOW
An unpredictable fire is travelling in a north-east direction towards Teelah.
The fire is likely to impact Old Esk Road.
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.
* * *
At 6:05pm Saturday:
LEAVE NOW
QFES advises conditions at the Teelah bushfire are getting worse and residents should either leave now if it is clear to do so or – if they have already left – not return, because conditions are too dangerous.
Emergency services crews report the unpredictable fire is travelling in a north easterly direction towards Teelah and is expected to impact Old Esk Road in about 30 minutes.
QFES warns the fire could have a significant impact on the community.
Those leaving the area should travel south on Old Esk Road and relocate to the place of a family member or friend in a safe location.
Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property and power, water, and mobile phone services may be lost.
* * *
At 4:30pm Saturday:
QFES has issued a “Watch and Act” alert for a bushfire burning at Teelah, north of Blackbutt.
The fast-moving fire is travelling from Wild Deer Drive, Teelah towards Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah.
The fire is likely to impact Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah.
At 4:00pm, 15 fire crews were at the incident, with more on the way.
The next update will be provided by QFES by 4:30pm or if the situation changes.
* * *
PREPARE TO LEAVE:
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.
Currently as at 2.30pm, a fast-moving fire is travelling from Wild Deer Drive, Teelah towards Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah. The fire is likely to impact Scotts Close, Old Esk Road and Stretton Drive, Teelah.
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.
What You Should Do:
- 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 (eg. 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.
- Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.
Keep Up To Date By:
- Following QFES on Facebook (@QldFireandRescueService) and Twitter (@QldFES)
- Staying tuned to your local radio station.
- Visiting the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map
* * *
Firefighters were also called on Saturday afternoon to a fire burning near Mt Stanley Road and Bullcamp Road at East Nanango.
At 3:00pm, there were four crews on the scene.
UPDATE 4:00pm: Eight fire crews are now at the Mt Stanley Road fire.
UPDATE 4:10pm: QFES advised there is no threat to property at this time. Firefighters have contained the fire but smoke may affect residents in surrounding areas.
[UPDATED. Published originally as “Warning On Teelah Fire”]
