{"id":20313,"date":"2013-01-11T15:22:07","date_gmt":"2013-01-11T05:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=20313"},"modified":"2023-11-28T16:27:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T06:27:26","slug":"lightning-blamed-for-grassfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2013\/01\/11\/lightning-blamed-for-grassfires\/","title":{"rendered":"Lightning Blamed For Grassfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

January 11, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fire crews have been kept busy around the South Burnett today, targeting grassfires sparked by lightning strikes from yesterday’s storms.<\/p>\n

Lightning was blamed for fires at Sunny Nook, Crownthorpe, Elgin Vale and Ironpot.<\/p>\n

Earlier today, seven fire crews were at the scene of a grass fire burning out of control in remote country at Cobbs Hill Road, Sunny Nook, near Cloyna.<\/p>\n

At 3:00pm, an Emergency Services spokesman said the fire had been contained behind lines cleared by the landholder and was now being monitored from the air.<\/p>\n

A grass fire sparked by lightning near Nangur Road at Crownthorpe had also been brought under control.<\/p>\n

Fire crews were called to Ironpot this afternoon to tackle another grass fire sparked by lightning.<\/p>\n

Rural crews were also on the scene of grass fires at Evans Road, Ballogie, and Chinchilla-Wondai Road, Durong.<\/p>\n

No property was under threat although cattle were being moved away from the fires.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

The alert level has been increased for all rural firefighters throughout the North Coast region.<\/p>\n

From midnight tonight the Wildfire Alert Level (WAL) will be lifted to 3.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/p>\n

UPDATE January 12:<\/strong> \u00a0At 9.15am today, firefighters remain on the scene of the bushfire burning at Manumbar Road, Elgin Vale.<\/p>\n

A QFRS spokesman said crews would continue to monitor the fire throughout the day and into the evening.<\/p>\n

Residents experiencing smoke in their area are advised to keep doors and windows closed and medications close by if they suffer from a respiratory condition. Motorists are also urged to drive with caution.<\/p>\n

At Cloyna, a grass fire is still burning in remote country near Cobbs Hill Road. \u00a0A QFRS spokesman said there was no threat to property.<\/p>\n