October 16, 2023
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued an Emergency Warning to residents in the East Cooyar and Wutul areas on Monday afternoon to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY because of a fast-moving bushfire.
At 4:30pm, 30 fire crews were battling the blaze and water bombers had been called in.
At 5:00pm, a QFES spokesperson confirmed that multiple properties were under threat, but no losses had been confirmed.
The LEAVE IMMEDIATELY warning was issued at 4:06pm (see below).
The Emergency Warning area was for properties between the New England Highway and East Cooyar Road, including Fitzgerald Road, Dukes Road, Saads Road and Garskes Road.
It followed a “Prepare To Leave” warning for the Wutul and East Cooyar areas issued at 3:32pm.
UPDATE: At 4:41pm, QFES repeated the Leave Immediately warning for Wutul and East Cooyar.
UPDATE: At 6:39pm, QFES warned East Cooyar and Wutul residents that it was not safe to return, a warning that was repeated at 9:15pm and 1:29am, Tuesday.
UPDATE: At 6:18am on Tuesday, QFES advised that residents of the affected areas in East Cooyar and Wutul could return with caution.
* * *
UPDATE: At 4:40pm, QFES issued a “Watch And Act – Prepare To Leave” warning for Woodrows Road (Wutul and East Cooyar).
This warning area was for properties between the New England Highway and East Cooyar Road, including Woodrows Road, Grahams Road and Garskes Road.
This alert was downgraded to “Stay Informed” at 7:42pm.
* * *
UPDATE: At 4:42pm, QFES issued a “Watch And Act – Prepare To Leave” warning for Cooyar.
This warning area was for properties between the New England Highway and East Cooyar Road, including Log Yard Road.
This alert was downgraded to “Stay Informed” at 7:39pm.
* * *
EMERGENCY WARNING – BUSHFIRE. Leave Immediately (from QFES):
A large, fast-moving fire is burning in Dukes Road.
It is expected to impact East Cooyar Road very soon.
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Your life could be at risk. It will soon be too dangerous to drive.
If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Firefighting aircraft are helping ground crews.
What you should do:
– LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and follow your bushfire survival plan now.
– Go to a place away from the Emergency Warning area. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you are going.
– Avoid driving on Dukes Road and drive with caution on New England Highway.
– Check for road closures before you leave at the Qld Traffic website or call 13-19-40.
– Wear protective clothing and stay hydrated.
– Keep medications close by.
– Stay informed:
– Keep checking the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website
– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter
– Listen to your local radio station
– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.
Impacts:
– Properties have been impacted.
– Firefighters may not be able to stop the fire from getting closer. Don’t expect a firefighter at your door.
– Power, water and mobile phone services may stop working soon.
– Smoke will make it hard to see and breathe. The smoke will sting your eyes.
– It will be hot and loud. You may hear explosions nearby.
– The sky will be dark.
– You could be isolated.
If you can’t leave safely:
– Turn garden sprinklers on to soak the ground.
– Bring doormats and outdoor furniture inside or away from the house.
– Block downpipes at the top and fill gutters with water if you can.
– Find a safe place to shelter, preferably inside a brick building.
– Close windows, doors and vents.
– Seal gaps under doors and windows with wet towels.
– Fill containers with water for drinking and firefighting.
– Bring pets inside. Give them water to drink. Keep them safe.
Further Information:
– For all warnings, visit Current Incidents.
– For road closures, visit Qld Traffic or call 13-19-40.
– If you stay, find out how to be safe: Prepare – Bushfire – Know Your Risks – Will You Stay
Next update by 6:06pm or sooner if the situation changes.
This warning is from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
[UPDATED]
