Bushfire warnings de-escalate in Chewko, near Mareeba

Fires in Chewko, near Mareeba, are being treated as suspicious as one of the several fires crept into a nearby prison. Read the latest warnings here.

UPDATE, 8.30PM: Fires in Chewko, near Mareeba, are being treated as suspicious as emergency services de-escalate safety warnings.

Multiple fires are still burning in Chewko near Roiko Rd, Bryde Rd, Paglietta Rd and Chewko Rd and are expected to continue throughout the night as QFES actively manages the fires.

A QFES spokesman said fires had crept into the grounds at Lotus Glen Prison, with prison staff and QFES crews having dealt with it.

Police revoked the emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act at 6.45pm while QFES has reduced their warning to ‘advice’ at 7.50pm — encouraging residents to stay informed with the latest alerts.

People in Mareeba, Biboohra and surrounding areas are also advised to avoid smoke by closing windows and doors.

There were 15 QFES crews and 3 senior officers currently on scene.

No structures are in immediate threat, according to the QFES spokesman.

Police urge residents and motorists to keep monitoring fire warnings, keep windows closed and drive safely in smoke affected areas.

The fires are being treated as suspicious, with police investigations underway.

UPDATE, 6PM: Police are investigating whether fires near Mareeba has been deliberately lit as farm and bushlands are still burning.

No one has been injured despite several fires currently burning.

An exclusion zone encompasses Granite Creek in the west, Roiko Rd and Chewko Rd to the North, the Kennedy Hwy to the east and Springmount Rd to the south — as pictured.

Exclusion zones in Chewko, near Mareeba. Picture: Supplied

Any residents and motorists within the exclusion zone are urged to keep up to date with QFES warnings and keep windows closed and respiratory medication nearby, if necessary.

Police advised the public to stay out of the exclusion zone while emergency services respond.

EARLIER, 4PM: Fast-moving fires in Chewko, near Mareeba, have prompted Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to advise residents to prepare to leave, with some already evacuated.

The warning level is currently “watch and act”.

A QFES spokesman said the fires started at 2.50pm, with six QFES crews and an aircraft arriving from 3pm.

As of 3.30pm, a “watch and act” warning is in place for properties on Roiko Rd, Bryde Rd, Paglietta Rd and Chewko Rd, Chewko.

Residents should be prepared to leave.

Firefighters are working to extinguish the fire, however residents should not expect a firefighter at their door.

Firefighting aircraft may assist ground crews.

QFES map showing fires around Mareeba.

QFES advises that conditions could get worse quickly, however at 4pm a fire in a paddock was brought under control.

The QFES spokesman said an evacuation as already taken place in some areas.

Firefighters are still working to extinguish the fires which are scattered across the area — with structural fires and agricultural sites most under threat.

Residents are advised to refer to their bushfire survival plan, avoid driving on Chewko Rd, pack essential items such as important documents, food and water, medications and protective clothing and to stay hydrated.

Queensland Police have also declared an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act.

Originally published as Bushfire warnings de-escalate in Chewko, near Mareeba