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UPDATED: Firefighters to take to the air today to battle two blazes still burning on Tablelands

UPDATE: Firefighters will carry out aerial firefighting activities at Dimbulah and Irvinebank, to battle two blazes still burning on the Tablelands.

Bushfire at Biboohra in Far North Queensland

UPDATE: 10.15am. Firefighters will carry out aerial firefighting activities at Dimbulah and Irvinebank, to battle two blazes still burning on the Tablelands.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services say there is no threat to property, from the bushfire burnign in the vicinity of Hanley Rd and Veness Rd.

Nearby areas, however, may be affected by smoke. Residents are urged to close windows and doors and keep respiratory medications close by, if required.

Simon Jackson inspecting fire damage from bushfire on property near Dimbulah. Photo: Tahna Jackson/Stockade Farm
Simon Jackson inspecting fire damage from bushfire on property near Dimbulah. Photo: Tahna Jackson/Stockade Farm

At Irvinebank, crews are still on the scene of a fire burning in the vicinity of Herberton-Petford Rd, Poison Creek (Mt Albion Station).

There is no threat to property at this time, but ground and aerial firefighting activities will be undertaken today.

QFES will continue to monitor a vegetation fire burning near Kaban Road and Tumoulin Road, at Kaban.

There is no threat to property at this time.

Smoke may affect Tumoulin Road and nearby residents.

Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions.

If you feel your property is under threat, call triple-0 immediately.

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UPDATE: 6.45pm Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) crews will continue to monitor a fire burning at the end of Hall Road and Northey Road, between the Barron River and Spring Creek, at Tolga.

The fire is burning within containment lines and posing no threat to property at this time. It is expected to continue to burn over the coming days.

Crews are aware of a vegetation fire burning in an inaccessible area near Tinaroo Creek Road and Emerald Falls Road, Mareeba, and QFES is monitor a contained fire burning between Coyle Road and the Mulligan Highway, Biboohra. Neither fire currently threaten property. Nearby residents can expect to be affected by smoke and should close doors and windows.

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EARLIER: 6.10pm A bushfire in Dimbulah is burning within containment lines and crews are monitoring the area. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has declared there is no further threat to property at this time. Nearby areas may be affected by smoke.

Fires near Veness Road and a second bushfire is burning near Hanley Road have now been contained.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

Residents should close windows and doors, and keep respiratory medications close by if required.

Motorists have been advised to drive with caution.

QFES crews are on scene at a vegetation fire burning near Kaban Road and Tumoulin Road, Kaban. This fire is burning within containment lines and crews will continue to monitor this evening. Crew will also continue to monitor a fire smouldering in the vicinity of Herberton-Petford Road, Poison Creek (Mt Albion Station), Irvinebank.

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EARLIER: A bushfire that was threatening properties at Dimbulah appears to be contained.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised that the bushfire that was burning near Veness Rd, and a second fire burning near Hanley Rd, had been contained.

Currently, homes are not being threatened by the fires.

Residents and property owners, however, have been urged to keep up-to-date, and decide what actions they need to take if the situation changes.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

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EARLIER: Firefighters have advised that a bushfire at Dimbulah could get worse, and residents should prepare to leave their properties.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised that as of 2.30pm, the fast-moving fire was burning near Veness Rd, travelling in a north-westerly direction.

A second fast-moving fire was burning near Hanley Rd, travelling in a west, north-westerly direction.

Both fires are travelling towards the east of the causeway on Burke Development Rod, over Eureka Creek, to the west of Veness Rd.

The fires are expected to impact this area.

A QFES spokesman said fire crews were working to contain the blaze, but firefighters may not be able to protect every property.

“You should not expect a firefighter at your door,” he said

“People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

“Residents on the northwest side of Burke Development Road, in the Leafgold Weir Road area, will be affected by large volumes of smoke.”

Residents have been advised to be ready to follow a bushfire survival plan. I

If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly.

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EARLIER: fire crews are battling two bushfires on the Tablelands that have potential to threaten residents.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised that there is a number of small fires burning in the vicinity of Herberton-Petford Rd, and Poison Creek, Irvinebank.

There is also a bushfire burning in the vicinity of Vaness Rd, Dimbulah.

A QFES spokeswoman said firefighters were backburning in both locations to contain the blazes.

“At this stage, there is no properties threatened,” she said.

Residents and those travelling through these areas have been advised they will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

QFES is also continuing to monitor a fire burning between Coyle Rd and the Mulligan Highway at Biboohra, which destroyed a home on Thursday.

The services’ spokeswoman said the fire was contained and posing no threat to property at this time.

“Smoke may affect surrounding areas,” she said.

“Residents should close windows and doors and keep respiratory medications close by, if required.

“Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions.”

There is also a vegetation fire burning near Tinaroo Creek Road and Emerald Falls Road, Mareeba.

QFES’ spokeswoman said the fire was burning in an inaccessible area and there was no threat to property at this time.

Another fire at Tolga, which is burning at the end of Hall Rd and Northey Rd, is continuing to be monitored by firefighters.

The fire is burning within containment lines and posing no threat to property at this time.

It is expected to continue to burn over the coming days.

There is fire restrictions in place across the Tablelands, with conditions expected to worsen in the coming days.

Fire crews have been stretched thin battling multiple fires across the Tablelands. Command Centre at Biboohra. Picture: Bronwyn Wheatcroft.
Fire crews have been stretched thin battling multiple fires across the Tablelands. Command Centre at Biboohra. Picture: Bronwyn Wheatcroft.

People are urged to call triple-0 immediately if they believe their property is under threat.

QFES has also advised the following:

•Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates.

•If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it.

•If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes.

•Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure.

•If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by.

•Drive with caution in low visibility conditions.

•Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire.

•Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave.

•Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock.

•Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

•Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

Originally published as UPDATED: Firefighters to take to the air today to battle two blazes still burning on Tablelands

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/tablelands-bushfires-firefighters-battling-two-blazes-at-dimbulah-and-irvinebank/news-story/96869e785dc2e3b26617be318888f7a1