New bushfire warnings as devastated residents return to ashes
As bushfires continue to menace southern Queensland communities, police believe a Western Downs blaze was deliberately lit.
Emergency Services
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Recent bushfires in the Tara area of the Western Downs are now being treated by police as suspicious.
A “leave immediately” warning was issued on Monday following the outbreak of the fires, and several people were treated for minor smoke inhalation.
More than 20 structures were destroyed by the out-of-control blaze.
Investigations into the fires remain ongoing, and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
On Thursday morning communities were told to prepare to leave as a fast-moving fire threatened residents west of Chinchilla.
The latest alert comes as the toll of devastating bushfires in the state’s south was revealed, with tens of thousands of hectares burnt, and homes, sheds and property destroyed.
Fires near Kowguran and Guluguba in the Western Downs continued to burn on Thursday morning, with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issuing a prepare to leave warning as a large, fast-moving fire travelled from Welshs Rd and L Tree Creek Rd towards the Leichhardt Hwy.
“Conditions could get worse quickly. Firefighters are working to contain the fire, however you should not expect a firefighter at your door,” the warning said.
The warning area was between Leichhardt Hwy, Old Forrest Rd, Retreat Rd, L Tree Creek Rd, Upper Downfall Creek Rd and Downfall Creek Rd.
A QFES spokeswoman said there is now a total fire ban for the region, as another bushfire burns nearby at Hookswood and Myall Park, also near Miles.
A watch and act warning has been issued as the large, fast-moving fire at Myall Park travelled within containment lines between Ryalls Rd and Gearys Rd.
Member for Callide in the Queensland parliament Bryson Head shared pictures of the fires and smoke around Miles saying as many as 11 water bombers were active yesterday afternoon as the Kowguran and Guluguba broke containment lines.
“The Myall Park fire has burnt more than 30,000ha, and this is expected to increase. This fire is expected to last for several weeks, unless good rain comes.”
“The storms that came through yesterday (Tuesday) only added to the issue with lightning starting more fires,” his facebook post said.
Meanwhile the Fairyland and Burra Burri fire near Jandowae was brought within containment lines just after 9pm Wednesday night before landholders monitored it overnight.
Tara residents that were evacuated earlier in the week due to a large out-of-control grass fire have now been able to return to their homes.
Local Michelle Cullen lost “thousands of dollars’ worth” of materials from the fire, but her thoughts turned to her neighbours who lost everything. “I’m devastated for my neighbours,” she said.
“Not only are they good neighbours but I’ve also lost my protection network.
“I’m here by myself and they always look out for me, and when the fires broke out, I rang the people across the road straight away.”
She said her neighbours, who have had to relocate to the Gold Coast and Toowoomba to live with family, ensured she had a place to go before everyone evacuated their homes.
“I’ve only just spoken to them, they’ve lost everything.”
Ms Cullen said while she has somewhere to sleep, the recovery will be near impossible.
“I’ve lost thousands of dollars worth of stuff that I cannot replace,” she said.
“It’s a big hit that I’m not going to be able to recover from.”
Tara Rural Supplies owner David Gunther said he was doing his best to accommodate residents who sadly had to leave animals behind while evacuating their properties.
“It’s just devastating,” he said. “These people, their livestock is their life and they regard them as family, they’re their world.”
He said he was collecting donations such as animal food, cages, tools and other garden supplies. He said he had lived in the area his whole life and wanted to help out as much as possible.
“Where the bushfires hit is one of our older estates, so it’s very populated and developed,” he said.
“It’s one of the first estates that was started 35 years ago, it’s unfortunate it’s hit an area with a lot of people.”
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