Landsborough residents told to evacuate again as blaze flares up
Water bombing aircraft were back up in the skies over Beerwah on Sunday, assisting ground crews working to protect homes as a blaze sparks back up, prompting advice for residents to stay informed.
Emergency Services
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Residents of Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast have been allowed to return to their properties after an earlier “leave now” bushfire warning on Sunday.
The warning, issued about 3.45pm Sunday, October 29, covered the area bounded by Steve Irwin Way, Graham Drive, and Fraser and Hardwood roads.
Firefighting aircraft were in the area to assist fire crews working on the ground.
Volunteers were manning kitchens and residents were being told to evacuate again.
Roadblocks were in place and crews were working between Wintzloff Rd and Hardwood Rd.
Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade first officer and incident controller Mark Jakeman said a fire had “just flared up” in a compartment in that area.
“At this stage crews are working to contain it, allowing it to burn out to the compartment and burn out to Hardwood Rd,” Mr Jakeman said.
“As conditions worsened during the day during the heat of the day, the winds picked up and allowed that fire to start making progress towards those structures, so we made the call to enact to leave immediately. “
“Properties aren’t directly under threat, but it’s just good for those residents that don’t need to be in that area and that are happy to leave voluntarily, it’s safe for them not to be there at this stage.”
The fire flared up again on Sunday morning after a PSPA was declare and residents evacuated just after 8pm Saturday, October 28.
The order was revoked at 10.20pm, after the fast-moving fire had threatened Beerwah and Landsborough townships.
An advice level alert was put out on Sunday morning advising a fire was burning near White Gums St, Landsborough.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised fire suppressants were being used to protect properties near Hardwood Rd and major roads and highways in the area were expected to be affected.
QPS and QFES worked quickly to door knock all houses in the area and evacuate residents as fast as possible on Saturday night.
The emergency zone encompassed Steve Irwin Way, Hardwood Rd, Forestry Rd and Dianella Rd.
Police established a place of refuge at the Landsborough School of Arts and memorial hall association at 485 Old Landsborough Rd.
A QPS spokesperson said the fire threatened the town of Landsborough and was dangerously close to Australia Zoo.
The blaze which has caused the PSPA emergency declaration was closest to the African Savannah parklands and QFES worked to push the fire away from the Zoo.’
The fire, which is predominantly heading in a north-westerly direction, had “created its own weather system” due to its size and speed.
Glasshouse Chamber of Commerce President Tamara Hazelden said Steve Irwin Way was closed off and the community was on “high alert”.
“Pretty much the majority of Landsborough is on high alert, some of the pockets over near the caravan park, QFES and QPS are just keeping them updated, but they’re not having to evacuate yet,” she said
“But yeah, it’s pretty full on for them at the moment.
“If it jumps Steve Irwin Way, I think the town could be under threat, but I think right now they’re just kind of telling everyone on that side like closest to the fires, just be prepared to leave.
“If the wind picks up and it does jump that highway, there’s a lot of bush land through there.
“There’s a lot of ash and embers flying around.
“I know that the fires were close to the zoo this afternoon, but I don’t know where that’s at right now.”
Chief inspector Mike Miley advised those in the Landsborough area to be wary and be safe of a fire threatening lives and homes in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“I advise everyone in the Landsborough area to watch and act and pay attention to the ABC radio and listen out for any broadcasts or on social media in relation to a fire that is within the area itself,” he said.
“We have got numerous crews both Queensland Fire and the Rural Fire Brigade as well as Police and SES on the roads and around the fires so be wary if you are attempting to drive your vehicle anywhere, be cautious and slow down there is smoke area and that smoke is travelling everywhere all through the ranges and up the coast.”
It comes after another major blaze threatened homes in the Mary Valley earlier on Saturday and another in the Beerwah area last weekend which burnt out more than 380 hectares.
The Beerwah blaze last Saturday, October 21, followed another which began on September 18.
The Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade was among 38 crews and seven aircraft who fought the Beerwah fire which forced the partial closure of the Bruce Highway.
Police have investigated whether the first fire in September was deliberately lit but said there was no evidence it was the work of arsonists.
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