Queensland Fire Department enforces fire ban for south west Queensland

A local fire ban has been put in place for south west Queensland residents, as a host of vegetation fires burn across the region.

The Queensland Fire Department has announced a local fire ban for south west Queensland.

A local fire ban has been put in place for south west Queensland residents, as vegetation fires burn across the region.
On Sunday, the Queensland Fire Department said a local fire ban would be put in place for residents in several local government areas across southwest Queensland

The ban will be in place from Monday for residents in the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa, Balonne, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie and Bulloo local government areas.
It comes as several vegetation fires are burning across the region, with current fire conditions ideal for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.

Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all permits to light fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.

Power tools may be used during a local fire ban but the QFD encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.

This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.

The ban is expected to remain in place until Wednesday.

The ban comes as residents of a Far North Queensland town have been told to prepare to leave, with a fast-moving fire burning in the area.

The Queensland Fire Department issued the warning for Lakeland, due to a large, fast-moving fire burning along the Mulligan Highway, towards Peninsula Developmental Road.

The QFD advised that conditions could get worse quickly. Firefighters were working to contain the blaze.

If your life is in danger, call triple-0 immediately.