Fire warnings still in place for Lowmead, Central Highlands

Fires are continuing to threaten communities in the Gladstone and Central Highland regions where some are unsure if their homes are still standing and more may soon be forced to evacuate.

Residents of Colosseum and Mount Tom have been advised it is still not safe to return home as fire crews continue their efforts to bring a major fire under control on Tuesday.

It comes after a Baffle Creek family lost everything including their pet cats in a horror blaze.

The fire is still burning along Lowmead Road and travelling towards Colosseum and Fingerboard Road.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have advised if residents have left the area, it is not safe to return.

Prepare to leave warnings also remain in place for Colosseum and Miriam Vale, with an avoid smoke warning issued for the wider area.

So far, the blaze has torn through 8500 hectares of land as conditions eased slightly on Monday, but crews are preparing for weather conditions to ramp up again later in the week.

Residents have been advised not to return to Lowmead.

Residents in Miriam Vale, Bororen, Lowmead and surrounds are advised there is smoke in the area and to take care.

Firefighting aircraft has been used in the area to assist ground crews with efforts to control the blaze, with heavy machinery on the ground working to construct firebreaks.

On Saturday Gladstone Regional Council established a place of refuge at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre in response to the fire affecting the area between Lowmead Rd and Fingerboard Rd.

For those seeking refuge, it is advised to first seek shelter with friends and family.

If unable, the GECC is located at 56 Goondoon Street, Gladstone. Entry is via Oaka Lane, with parking available in multi-story car park.

Warnings also remained in place for the North Burnett region with avoid smoke warnings issued for Eidsvold, Mundubbera, Gayndah, Coalstoun Lakes and Biggenden on Tuesday morning.

It follows a hellish weekend where firefighters battled multiple blazes in that region,

One firefighter had to be flown from the North Burnett where Eidsvold residents were initially told to prepare to leave.

It’s believed the man, aged in his fifties, had been using a grader to help clear a fire break on a neighbour’s property, when the flames came too close and he was burnt.

He suffered burns to his upper body and face and was taken from the scene by the Queensland Ambulance Service to a nearby hospital, where the chopper set down.

The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aeromedical crew stabilised the man before he was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a stable condition.

On Sunday afternoon a man in his 30s was taken to hospital after being struck in the chest by a falling tree at Colosseum.

Paramedics were called to the incident on Lowmead Rd at 4.41pm and the man was taken to Gladstone Hospital in a stable condition.

QAS were unable to determine if the incident was related to fires burning in the area.

Meanwhile, volunteers from the Heart of Agnes prepared dinner for people in need.

WHAT TO DO IF AN EMERGENCY WARNING IS ISSUED

– LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and follow your bushfire survival plan now.

– Go to a place away from the Emergency Warning area. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you are going.

– Avoid driving on Lowmead Road towards Lowmead.

– Check for road closures before you leave at the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.

– Wear protective clothing and stay hydrated.

– Keep medications close by.

– Stay informed:

– Keep checking the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter

– Listen to your local radio station

– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.

Impacts:

– Conditions could get worse quickly and properties may be impacted.

– Firefighters may not be able to stop the fire from getting closer. Do not expect a firefighter at your door.

– Power, water, and mobile phone services may stop working soon.

– Smoke will make it hard to see and breathe. The smoke will sting your eyes.

– It will be hot and loud. You may hear explosions nearby.

– The sky will be dark.

– You could be isolated.

If you can’t leave safely:

– Turn garden sprinklers on to soak the ground.

– Bring doormats and outdoor furniture inside or away from the house.

– Block downpipes at the top and fill gutters with water if you can.

– Find a safe place to shelter, preferably inside a brick building.

– Close windows, doors and vents.

– Seal gaps under doors and windows with wet towels.

– Fill containers with water for drinking and firefighting.

– Bring pets inside. Give them water to drink. Keep them safe.

WHAT TO DO IF A ‘PREPARE TO LEAVE’ WARNING IS ISSUED

– If you have a bushfire survival plan, follow it now.

– Prepare now so you can leave quickly if the bushfire gets close:

– Decide where you and the people you live with will go. This could be with family or a friend away from the fire. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you will go.

– Charge mobile phones and power banks.

– Be ready to take your pets, pet food, pet lead or crate/carrier.

– Pack a bag with a mobile phone charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like ID, insurance papers, passports and photos), medicine, cash and keys.

– If you do not drive, call your support service, a family member or a friend to organise transport if you need to leave or want to leave.

– If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.

– Avoid driving on Barrule Road, Eidsvold.

– Keep medications close by.

– Move flammable items away from your house if you can.

– Help others if it’s safe to do so.

– Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.

– Stay informed:

– Keep checking the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website.

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter.

– Listen to your local radio station.

Impacts:

– Some properties are at risk.

– The fire is likely to impact the community later today.

– Smoke can make it hard for some people to breathe.

– Smoke can make it hard to see when you are driving.

– Burning embers may reach properties. Try to put them out quickly with water.

– Roads may be closed or impacted.

– Power, water, and mobile phone services may be impacted as the fire gets closer.