August 20, 2020
Firefighters are urging residents to take extra care as there is a very high fire danger risk in the South Burnett at the moment.
Bureau of Meteorology forecasts have listed the risk of fire in the Wide Bay Burnett as “very high” or “high” at least until Sunday.
Strong, gusty winds are adding to the danger.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said gusts of between 50-60km/h were recorded in south-east Queensland on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, gusts of between 40-50km/h were recorded.
Widespread dust haze around the region has been pushed by westerly winds from eastern parts of South Australia.
The spokesperson said the gusty westerlies were being caused by a trough that is moving off-shore.
BOM is expecting the fresh winds to continue over the next couple of days, peaking on Saturday when another “pulse” of westerlies will come through.
“With the dry, windy conditions that we’ve got over the next couple of days, we are expecting very high fire dangers for many districts … particularly on Saturday when those winds are going to be peaking,” the spokesperson said.
The warnings follow a large grass fire which broke out at South Nanango on Wednesday afternoon.
At one point 15 fire crews – urban and rural – were battling the blaze which was burning close to structures.
The fire was brought under control by 4:30pm but crews remained at the scene to monitor the area.
On Thursday, firefighters were also patrolling grass fires near Kawl Kawl Road at Kawl Kawl and Gayndah-Hivesville Road at Hivesville.
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