This was published 5 years ago
'Back me up, you'll be safe': Rural firies reflect on Peregian inferno
By Natalie Bochenski
Peter Garrett would rather have been feeding his cattle.
The first officer of the Maroochy River Rural Fire Service was forced to let his cows go hungry for days this week while he helped battle one of the biggest bushfires the Sunshine Coast has ever seen.
"I fed them this morning at daylight so I could get back here, and my daughters are doing chores I should be doing now," he said on Thursday.
Mr Garrett has been with the volunteer service for 31 years.
His unit, and that of best mate Steve Brook from the neighbouring Yandina Creek brigade, were among the firefighters and crews who fought for three days to bring the fire at Peregian Beach and Peregian Springs under control.
Police have charged two teens who allegedly lit the blaze that went on to force thousands of people from their homes, destroy one woman's house and burn through hectares of bushland.
Mr Brook said his 20 years of firefighting experience helped him keep his cool while being hit by embers.
"We had a lot of newer members, but I just kept telling them keep behind me, back me up, you'll be safe, and they all did their jobs," he said.
Mr Brook said he was proud of efforts which saved hundreds of homes.
Pam Murphy, 89, lost her beachfront home when embers got into its timber shingle roof.
"I think we were lucky we had the big blue ocean there, because it's all paperbarks and they can spot [fire] up to five kilometres away," he said.
"It could have gone all the way to Noosa."
With temperatures set to spike five to eight degrees higher than usual this weekend, Mr Garrett said the bone dry conditions were worrying.
"It's a ticking time bomb at the moment," he said.
Mr Garrett said authorities had been frustrated by people who were defying fire bans.
"We had a fire call this morning because a lady was burning all of her papers right beside a 10-metre pile of mulch, and then she said 'I didn't know there was a fire ban'," he said, shaking his head.
"I don't know whether she's a very good, blatant liar, or the message isn't getting out, but it needs to be stressed more."
The men shared a brief moment of respite during a meet-and-greet with Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk ahead of preparations for another dangerous weekend.
AAP