Gold Coast firefighters still battling grassfires around Carrara
Firefighters face another hectic day after smoke blanketed the city, ash rained down, train routes were suspended, residents self-evacuated and water bombers were called in on Wednesday
Gold Coast
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FIREFIGHTERS continue to battle grassfires burning on the Gold Coast, but the smoke haze which blanketed the city has lifted this morning.
Multiple Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) crews have been working to douse the fires, including an initial blaze which sparked around Alison Road and Palm Meadows Drive at Carrara.
No properties were at risk as of 7.30am, a QFES spokeswoman said.
The fire service has warned nearby residents may still be affected by thick smoke haze and motorists should drive to conditions.
Residents affected by smoke should close their windows and doors and keep medications close by if their suffering from a respiratory condition.
Anyone concerned their property is under threat should phone Triple-0 immediately.
It’s expected QFES will issue more information about the grassfires later today.
On Wednesday, smoke blanketed the city, ash rained down, train routes were suspended, residents self-evacuated and water bombers were called in after the grassfire ignited early in the morning.
Carrara residents posted images of flames licking at the fences of their homes and firefighters were working to ward off fire around St Michael's College at Merrimac
The fire was burning “within containment lines” yesterday afternoon, according to QFES, despite fire approaching homes.
QFES explained fire burning in swampy terrain produced the unusually thick smoke haze, which hung low over the Coast.
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The smoke haze resulted in the temporary suspension of train routes between Coomera and Varsity Lakes at 1.40pm, but services had resumed by 2.30pm.
The ongoing Carrara fire comes after another grassfire which began on Tuesday afternoon was extinguished just after midnight on Wednesday.
QFES and rural brigades banded together to extinguish that grassfire, which produced an eerie glow visible to nearby residents.
Firefighters back-burned to help stamp out the blaze and conducted blackening out operations, which means extinguishing or removing burning material on or near the fire control line.
Last night, QFES advised Gold Coast residents they may be affected by smoke haze.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group took to Facebook on Wednesday to warn the latest blaze highlighted the importance of Gold Coast City Council funding for brigades.
“Once again we have multiple rural crews in attendance at the grass fire in Carrara,” it read.
“This continues to highlight that our rural brigades aren’t just restricted to rural areas of the Gold Coast.
“We ask that residents of the Gold Coast continue to request the City of Gold Coast Council to continue collecting the $1 levy on our behalf!”
Recently, the Bulletin reported the council had resolved to stop collecting the $1 ratepayer levy in the next financial year, which will see hundreds of thousands of dollars stripped from brigades.
Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group officer Samuel Eitz said at the time the decision took the Coast’s 15 volunteer brigades by surprise, particularly after last year’s harrowing fire season.
The council decided funding of operational expenses was a state government responsibility during 2020/21 budget deliberations.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Firefighters worked to extinguish a grassfire which had been burning on the Gold Coast for hours.
The blaze broke out in land near Alison Rd and Palm Meadows Dr at Carrara about 5pm on Tuesday.
Multiple fire crews worked to extinguish the fire.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said the fire produced a large cloud of smoke.
A glow from the fire was visible to nearby residents.
CARRARA – grass fire as at 10.40pm Tue 29 Sep. Fire crews are finalising blackening out operations at a grass fire burning in the land near Alison Road and Palm Meadows Drive, Carrara. No threat to property. Smoke is affecting the area: https://t.co/QAp7oZOt72
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) September 29, 2020
A QFES spokeswoman said they received a “large” number of calls and issued an advice notice about the blaze.
No properties were under threat.
Queensland Ambulance Service attended the scene but no one was injured.
Originally published as Gold Coast firefighters still battling grassfires around Carrara