Water bombers assist with ‘inaccessible’ Mount Isa fires

Firefighters are battling three Mount Isa grass fires, with water bombers brought in to help.

Firefighters are starting to get on top of three Mount Isa grass fires, with one fire officially ‘under control’, a second ‘contained’, and the third being attacked by water bomber aircraft.

A Queensland Fire Department (QFD) spokesperson said two ‘Fire Boss’ water bomber aircraft were flown up to Mount Isa from Toowoomba on Thursday (Jan 16) to help control the remote fires.

The aircraft were deployed on Sunday to the Moondarra Dam fire just 15km outside town, and helped bring the blaze under control.

The Moondarra Dam fire is now judged to be “not far off” being extinguished.

The aircraft have now switched their attention to the Lake Julius Rd fire, located about 25km northwest of Mount Isa.

One of the 'Fire Boss' water bombers laying down a line to contain the grass fire. Picture: Mount Isa Aviation Photography

This fire is currently being fought by three fire crews assisted by the air support.

According to the QFD, the Lake Julius Rd fire is burning “in the hills” and is inaccessible by road, making the air support crucial as crews attempt to bring the blaze under control.

One of the water bomber's movements on Sunday, as it helped bring the Moondarra Dam fire under control.

About 12km on the other side of town is the May Down fire, which was apparently ‘smouldering in containment lines’ under the watchful eye of landholder, the QFD said.

Six other remote fires are burning in the region, including a fire 20km outside Cloncurry, another 30km outside Duchess, and another blaze in Three Rivers that has been under observation since January 3.

A map of all fires being monitored by the Queensland Fire Department on January 20 - including three right outside Mount Isa.

These fires come as the Mount Isa region suffers through a period of excessive and severe heat, reaching a maximum daily temperature of 40+ degrees 17 times this month - and that pattern is not forecasted to break anytime soon.

Originally published as Water bombers assist with ‘inaccessible’ Mount Isa fires