December 19, 2019
QFES issued a “Watch and Act: Prepare To Leave” alert on Wednesday evening for a fire burning in the Yabba State Forest, south of Manumbar.
By Thursday, the warning level had been lowered to “Advice” and residents were advised that it was safe to return.
The blaze is part of the Upper Kandanga bushfire which has been burning for several days, causing a heavy smoke haze in the Wondai and Murgon areas.
Multiple fire crews have been involved, assisted by waterbombing aircraft.
The fire has been travelling in a south-westerly direction near Kilcoy-Murgon Road, which remains closed to the north of Kingaham.
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On Thursday
From QFES at 4:00pm
STAY INFORMED. Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
Kilcoy-Murgon Road is still closed to the north of Kingaham, however people who have left the area are advised it is safe to return.
Ground crews and waterbombing aircraft continue to work in the area.
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.
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On Wednesday
From QFES at 9:25pm
STAY INFORMED. Bushfire warning level: ADVICE
The large fire burning in inaccessible land is travelling in a south-westerly direction in the vicinity of Kilcoy-Murgon Road in the Yabba State Forest.
The fire has impacted Kilcoy-Murgon Road.
Kilcoy-Murgon Road is closed to the north of Kingaham, however people who have left the area are advised it is safe to return.
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.
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From QFES at 6:40pm
PREPARE TO LEAVE. Bushfire warning level: WATCH AND ACT
QFES advises there is a bushfire in the Yabba State Forest and conditions could get worse (see “What You Should Do“, below).
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.
At 6:40pm, a large fire burning in inaccessible land was travelling in a south-westerly direction in the vicinity of Kilcoy-Murgon Road in the Yabba State Forest.
The fire has impacted Kilcoy-Murgon Road and is likely to impact Cowah, Gibbarnee, Diaper, Kingaham and Hannover Park properties.
Residents evacuating should travel south along Kilcoy-Murgon Road.
Kilcoy-Murgon Road is closed to the north of Kingaham.
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.
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At 7:00pm, a separate “Stay Informed: Advice” alert was issued for residents in the Wrattens State Forest area.
This fire is also part of the Upper Kandanga blaze.
It is burning in the vicinity of Hart Road and Sterling Road, Upper Kandanga.
A QFES spokesperson said the Wrattens State Forest fire was currently contained, with QFES, SES, QPWS and private landholders continuing to patrol the area and strengthen containment lines.
People have been asked to avoid the area due to smoke and hazards such as fallen trees and debris.
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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: Previously published as “Yabba State Forest: Prepare To Leave”]
