Community & Business
20 November, 2024
Fire permits on hold as region takes the heat
FIRE permits have been put on hold, and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service is investigating two fires whose origins were suspicious, as firefighters continue to battle fires breaking out on an almost daily basis.
Fires have blazed near Matchilba, Springmount Rd, Mt Carbine, Millstream, Ravenshoe, and Mt Garnet. And in the past fortnight, Mareeba, Davies Creek, Mt Garnet, Mount Molloy and Silver Valley have been new battle grounds.
Further west, the town of Forsayth was under threat and one home destroyed when a fire burned out 56,000 hectares of land last week.
QFES Acting Area Manager for the Savannah District and Tablelands, Acting Inspector Stephan Powiesnik said the conditions were very dry across the region and this would continue for another three to four weeks, which was why the department had put fire permits on hold.
“We’ve asked our Fire Wardens to stop issuing fire permits for the time being within the Mareeba Shire and TRC, basically due to the numerous fires we have been dealing with,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of resources out there trying to contain these fires, and with our volunteers, we want to make sure we are not burning them out.”
He said total fire bans had been put in place for the Etheridge, Croyden and Richmond shires but were not applicable to Mareeba and TLC.
“A total fire ban means nothing at all here because we’ve got industry and commercial dealings, predominantly the sugar cane industry, that need to use fire, as well as QPWS for land management purposes.
“General fire permits, burning off on properties will now have to wait.”
Disappointingly, two fires in recent weeks were being treated as suspicious, one in Mareeba, and another along the Kennedy highway near Davies Creek.
“We had crews out there (Mareeba) very quickly and we also had air support from the helicopter, and no buildings were damaged,” he said. “It was all done by later that afternoon.”
Traffic was stopped on the Kennedy Highway at about 5pm on Friday, 8 November, as firefighters worked to contain another suspicious fire.
Both lanes were closed for about 15 minutes as firefighters fought back the flames licking the road, near the sign for Dinden National Park. The fire started on a neighbouring property between Bridle Creek and Davies Creek, before moving towards the Kennedy Highway.
“Our firefighters responded alongside crews from the Rural Fire Service Queensland and used backburning to ensure the fire remained within containment areas.”
Last Thursday, traffic was stopped for more than three hours as firefighters battled road-side flames along the Quaid Road and the Mulligan Highway which threatened homes near Mt Molloy.
A helicopter was deployed to stop the blaze which was spreading into the national park. Fire was also burning near Silver Valley Road, Upper Silver Valley.
A/Inspector Powiesnik reminded landowners they were responsible for ensuring their properties had sufficient firebreaks, clean boundary fences, grasses kept short around homes and buildings and clear access for emergency services.
He warned also about sparks from machinery which was a common cause of fires, such as welders, grinders and fencing equipment.
“If people have to use a welder maybe have a spotter with them. And have some firefighting capability, have some water, a garden hose or a fire extinguisher close by,” he said. “Once you have a welding shield on you can’t see until you lift it and by then [the fire] has gone off.
“I’m just saying be mindful of all of this.”
