Rural Fire Service Queensland seek volunteers in southwest region ahead of severe bushfire season

The Rural Fire Service is urging residents to volunteer ahead of what is expected to be a severe bushfire season for southwest Queensland, just days after a brutal fire caught ablaze in a small Western Downs town.

Fiona Schmidt, Damien Cooke, Scott Brown, Aaron Harth. Picture: contributed

Residents are being asked to consider volunteering for the Rural Fire Service Queensland after a fire took over Tara on the weekend.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the large-scale bushfires scorched more than 500ha at the Western Downs town on Sunday, highlighting the significant dangers still ongoing in the region.

While there are currently more than 26,000 RFS volunteers across Queensland, rural towns such as those in the Western Downs need ongoing support.

Jondaryan Rural Fire Brigade First Officer and local cattle and grain farmer Damien Cooke said more hands on deck would assist fire management greatly, and that despite having 20 people on his brigade there were still many challenges they faced.

“It’s the same across the board and I think it has got a bit harder over the year,” Mr Cooke said.

“For me, the reason you get involved in your Rural Fire Brigade is to give something back to your community while getting out and about and meeting new people.

QFES seek regional volunteers following scorching at Tara. Picture: contributed

“When you are part of the RFS you are not only helping your own backyard either, you could be called to help anywhere.”

High fire danger is predicted after fuels built up during consecutive wet seasons, and have now dried out from frosts and is ready to burn.

QFES has reported that above average temperatures, combined with strong westerly winds that were present on Sunday, helped fan the flames.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an updated El Nino alert which included a 70 per cent chance of El Nino forming, which could mean an earlier start to the bushfire season and provide generally hotter and drier conditions.

QFES said having as many people on the ground as possible would be vital to the preservation of land.

For people interested in joining their local Rural Brigade they can express interest at the QFES website.