November 10, 2019
A “Prepare To Leave” warning was issued to local residents on Saturday afternoon after a fire broke out behind houses in Premier Drive in Kingaroy.
Emergency services were called just before 2:00pm.
At 3:30pm, there were 24 fire crews at the incident with another eight on the way.
At 4:00pm, there were 28 crews with seven on the way.
At 6:00pm, there were 36 crews on scene with two waterbombers also called in to assist.
A QFES alert said the severe and unpredictable fire was travelling in a north-easterly direction from Premier Drive.
The original alert warned the fire was likely to impact structures on Schellbachs Road, Haydens Road and Booie-Crawford Road.
A later update (see below) said the fire was burning between Schellbachs Road, Booie-Crawford Road and North Branch Road, travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Harchs Road, and likely to impact Booie-Crawford Road.
At 6:50pm, QFES said the fire had been contained.
Smoke from the fire could be seen across Kingaroy, attracting a number of sightseers and adding traffic to the roads around the hilltop housing estate.
Paramedics were on standby but at 3:30pm, a QAS spokesperson said no patients had been treated.
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On Sunday …
From QFES at 4:25pm:
STAY INFORMED. Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
The fire burning between Schellbachs Road, Booie-Crawford Road and North Branch Road is currently contained.
Crews will remain on scene strengthening containment lines and continue to monitor throughout the night.
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.
* * *
From QFES at 9:05am:
STAY INFORMED. Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
The bushfire burning between Schellbachs Road, Booie-Crawford Road and North Branch Road is currently contained.
Crews will remain on scene strengthening containment lines and continue to monitor throughout the day.
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
* * *
On Saturday…
At 7:40pm, South Burnett Regional Council advised that all roads previously closed due to the fire were now re-opened.
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From QFES at 6:50pm:
STAY INFORMED. Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
The bushfire is burning between Schellbachs Road, Booie-Crawford Road and North Branch Road.
The fire is currently contained.
Crews will remain on scene and will continue to monitor the fire tonight and into tomorrow.
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.
* * *
At 5:50pm, South Burnett Regional Council advised that due to the severe and unpredictable fire burning in the Kingaroy area, the following roads have been closed until further notice:
- Schellbachs Road
- Haydens Road
- Booie-Crawford Road
- North Branch Road
Residents are asked to avoid the area and drive to current road conditions.
* * *
From QFES at 5:20pm:
PREPARE TO LEAVE. Bushfire warning level: WATCH AND ACT
A severe and unpredictable fire is burning between Schellbachs Road, Booie-Crawford Road and North Branch Road, travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Harchs Road, Kingaroy. The fire is likely to impact Booie-Crawford Road.
Fire crews and waterbombing aircraft 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.
Road closures are in place in the area.
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.
* * *
From QFES at 3:00pm:
PREPARE TO LEAVE. Bushfire warning level: WATCH AND ACT
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises there is a bushfire in Kingaroy and 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 (see “What You Should Do”, below).
A severe and unpredictable fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction from Premier Drive and Rosella Parade towards Schellbachs Road, Haydens Road and Booie Crawford Road, Kingaroy. The fire is likely to impact structures on Schellbachs Road, Haydens Road and Booie Crawford Road, Kingaroy.
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.
The next update will be provided by 5:00pm, or if the situation changes.
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 (Photo: Erica Pukallus) |
 (Photo: Erica Pukallus) |
(Photo: Erica Pukallus)
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What You Should Do
- Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service website for regular updates.
- If you have a bushfire survival plan, finalise it now so you are 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 you leave the area.
- Advise family and friends of your plan.
- 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.
- Pack important documents and essential items (eg. passports, birth certificates, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing) in case you need to leave the area.
- Put on protective clothing (eg. a long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots with thick soles).
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Bring pets inside; restrain them with a leash, a cage, or inside a secure room; and provide them with plenty of water.
- Take action to protect your livestock.
- 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.
Keep up to date by:
- Following QFES on Facebook (@QldFireandEmergencyServices) and Twitter (@QldFES)
- Staying tuned to your local ABC radio station.
- Visiting the Rural Fire Service website
[UPDATED]
We hear a lot praise for firies when homes and property are in danger but all rural brigades are short of members and this puts a lot of stress on active brigade members. What would happen if firies said “If you can’t help us why should we help you!” . We have all heard the excuse – “I don’t have time!” We in the brigade are busy people, too, but we have a social conscience! At the age of 82, why should I go to a fire because we are short of members, so show your appreciation by joining your local brigade!
Well said, Ron. No, you should not have to do this at your age, but where are the younger ones? Most of them sitting back waiting for someone else to do it. I will be fair and say not all, but a lot.
I don’t know how you manage as I know I certainly could not do it and I am a couple of years younger.
I, for one, thank you and all the other brave men who go out to fight these fires
I’m going to say something quite controversial here… I hear many people saying that the unemployed should be conscripted into the army. Well, why not something closer to home? Instead of fulfilling their obligations by working in a charity shop, why not train them as emergency firefighters? I’m sure there are plenty out there who would help. I know I would, if I was a young person again. I am proud to know two young people who are volunteer firefighters.
Good point Ron. An easy way everyone can assist our Rural Fire volunteers is to log on to the Qld Parliament e-petitions website and click onto the petition I have lodged seeking more equipment and resources for Rural Brigades and add your name.
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3230
The government has recently slashed the Rural Fire budget by $13 million, hardly a logical response for a government who believes that climate change will result in more frequent and more intense wildfires.