Mike Wassing
November 25, 2019
The State of Fire Emergency Declaration has been revoked in Toowoomba and Somerset council areas.
The declaration was lifted in the South Burnett, Cherbourg, Gympie and North Burnett areas last Wednesday.
However, although the State of Fire Emergency has been lifted, Local Fire Bans still remain in place in council areas:
- South Burnett, Cherbourg, Gympie and North Burnett – Until 11:59pm on Sunday, December 8
- Toowoomba – Until 11:55pm on Saturday, November 30
- Somerset – Until 11:55pm on Friday, December 6
“Over the last few weeks our state has been in the grips of some very severe and challenging fire weather and while the threat has eased, it has not passed,” Acting Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Mike Wassing said said.
“Although the State of Fire Emergency Declaration has been revoked, QFES has made the decision to impose local fire bans across large parts of the State.
“This decision is not made lightly but it is vital we continue to work together and do everything we can to protect Queensland communities during this ongoing bushfire season.
“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire previously issued are cancelled.”
Mr Wassing thanked the Queensland community for their cooperation and support through what had been a prolonged and severe fire season so far.
“While conditions have eased slightly, and the bushfire danger has fallen as a result, we still have significant blazes that continue to burn,” he said.
“I want to thank the community for heeding the conditions in the Declaration and urge everyone to continue to abide by local fire bans.
“Now is not the time to be complacent – conditions are still dry and there isn’t significant rainfall expected in Queensland in the immediate future.
“We ask everyone to remain vigilant.
“Have a bushfire survival plan in place, talk to your family about what you would do and where you would go if a bushfire were to threaten your home.”
