Peregian fire updates: Residents evacuated, property destroyed
Several residents evacuated the previous night have returned to their homes at Peregian, only to be told to leave again as Sunshine Coast fires flare up. | LATEST WARNINGS
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RESIDENTS in fire-ravaged areas of the Sunshine Coast have been dealt a fresh blow with a new alert urging them to leave their homes now.
Queensland Fire and Emergence Services says people living in the Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze Estate and south of Lake Weyba should leave immediately as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
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At 4.25pm, QFES advised a large and unpredictable fire continues to travel in a north-northwesterly direction from Peregian Beach towards the southern end of Lake Weyba.
Residents living to the south of Lake Weyba, along Clarendon Road and Win Road, are advised to evacuate in a westerly direction along Murdering Creek Road and Emu Mountain Road, towards Cooroy.
Peregian Beach residents should evacuate in a northerly direction towards Noosa.
Residents of Peregian Breeze Estate should evacuate in a southerly direction along Sunshine Motorway towards the Nambour Showgrounds on Coronation Avenue, Nambour, or Fishermans Road Multi Sports Centre at 108 Fishermans Road and Maroochydore.
Evacuation centres remain open at the Cooroy Library, 9 Maple Street, Cooroy, Noosa Leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville and The J Noosa, 60 Noosa Drive and Noosa Junction.
Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.
FIRES GIVE RESIDENTS THE RUN-AROUND
SEVERAL residents evacuated last night returned to their homes in Peregian early this morning, only to be told to leave again.
One man said there was a “general exodus” from the Noosa J evacuation centre this morning.
“My neighbour rang me up from his house and said our house was OK so we went home,” said the man, who did not give his name.
After spending three hours at home, police then ordered their evacuation at about 10.30am, he said.
While a roadblock had been set up, other roads providing access to Peregian were not closed off.
The man said this had been rectified by the time he was re-evacuated.
Another man, who called himself Ben, said he went back to Peregian Springs this morning because he “thought it was clear.”
“We just got sat down with a cup of tea you know, we’re all right you know,” he said.
“Next minute the old girl went outside and said those helicopters look close.
“Next minute the flames come up I said oh shit lets get out of here.”
Ben said he had just returned from an 18-hour flight from Las Vegas when he got the text message to evacuate last night.
“We wouldn’t have known nout (nothing) until we were crispy fried chicken or whatever you want to call it,” he said
“So it was lucky that was sent out as a message.”
Earlier today Superintendent Jason Overland said bushfire warnings had to be taken seriously.
“Maybe this is a good wake call for the Sunshine Coast community that it can happen anywhere and they should heed the warnings,” he said.
“And if you’re asked to leave your premises, leave your premises.”
JET DROPS MASSIVE PAYLOAD
DESPERATE residents are hoping a massive Boeing 737 jetload of fire retardant has done enough to bring a roaring firefront under control.
The Larger Air Tanker, with a payload of 15,000l, laid a trail of fire retardant in front of the fire front threatening areas west of Peregian about 3pm.
Waterbombing helicopters were also swarming the area, which has been scorched by the blaze fanned by a strong south-easterly wind since midday.
The LAT arrived on the Sunshine Coast today after several false starts.
It will return to NSW after dropping its payload today.
“We will get one opportunity with that aircraft so that’s a 737 with 15,000l of load on there,” Assistant Fire Commissioner Gary McCormack said this afternoon.
“So, we can do two half loads to half drops, but we only get one load.”
The LAT had been recalled several times as it made its way to Queensland because NSW is suffering its own bushfire emergency.
The fire around Peregian is unlikely to be contained today as a strong south-easterly continues to gather pace.
Mr Gary McCormack said crews could be there for days battling the blaze.
“The south-easterly is picking up, so we are expecting 40 to 50km/h consistently throughout the afternoon,” he said.
“So we will not leave that fire until we are into 100 per cent confident that we have that contained under those wind conditions.
“It’s unlikely that we would reach that position today, we will remain hopeful, but it’s unlikely we will and we will have crews on that fire throughout the evening and potentially days to come.”
Mr McCormack thanked the community for its patience.
“We will do everything we can to get you back in your home safely. But we won’t return you until we are sure it is safe,” he said.
QFES have been using an “aerial assault strategy” which has worked in parts but there remains an uncontrolled fire front.
People will not be allowed to return to their homes until the fire front is controlled to a point that it is safe.
PREMIER CUTS SHORT GAMES MISSION
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk will return to Queensland tonight after making the decision to cut short her Olympic mission in Europe.
Ms Palaszczuk made the decision this afternoon, as bushfires continue to flare across the state.
She will attend meetings in Lausanne, Switzerland, over the next few hours before returning.
Acting Premier Jackie Trad said today she had spoken to her boss about the bushfire crisis last night.
“She was well across the detail,” Ms Trad said in Noosa.
“She will be receiving an update first thing in the morning in the northern hemisphere.
“And she’ll be making a decision about whether or not she comes home early after that.”
Ms Trad again praised the “herculean” efforts to fight the fires.
“The fact that we had such a strong firestorm in such a heavily populated part of the Sunshine Coast, that resulted in no fatalities, no missing persons, one destroyed harmony and one damaged home is nothing short of a miracle,” she said.
Acting Superintendent Jason Overland said the blaze showed bushfires had to be taken very seriously in Queensland.
“Maybe this is a good wake call for the Sunshine Coast community that it can happen anywhere and they should heed the warnings,” he said.
“And if you’re asked to leave your premises, leave your premises.”
COAST BLAZE FLARES AGAIN
THE fire menacing the Sunshine Coast has flared again, with a freshening south-easterly wind getting behind it.
Residents living in Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze Estate, Marcus Beach and Lake Weyba have been advised to leave immediately as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
Residents in Lake Weyba south of Clarendon Rd and Win Rd are now being advised to evacuate west along Murdering Creek Rd and Emu Mountain Rd.
Residents from Peregian Beach and Marcus Beach are advised to travel to Noosa, while those in Peregian Breeze Estate should drive south along the Sunshine Mwy to Nambour.
Evacuation centres currently open are the Cooroy Library, Cooroy, the Noosa Leisure Centre, Noosaville, and The J Noosa in Noosa Junction.
Aerial bombers are targeting the base of the fire between Murdering Creek Road and the west of fire-ravaged Peregian.
SUNSHINE COAST FIREFIGHTERS PRAISED
NOOSA Mayor Tony Wellington has praised the “incredible ” efforts of firefighters that limited damage in the Peregian fires.
“The efforts have been gargantuan, more than 100 trucks with crews just to fight this fire and obviously that effort has paid off,” he told The Courier-Mail.
“I think it is very significant that there hasn’t been any incidence of missing persons, loss of life or serious injury.
“It’s been an incredible effort because it’s an event ... largely unprecedented.”
Cr Wellington the fire now appears to be contained south of Murdering Creek Road.
Residents can still not return due to the potential of spot fires and power outages.
Five sewage pumps have also been affected.
Former NSW couple Mike and Alison we’re prepared for bushfires in Sydney but “it does not compute” in Peregian Beach.
The retirees were evacuated from their home in Glen Eden Resort as they sat down for dinner last night.
“We were in denial really, we could see the fire but it didn’t seem very close,” Alison said.
“In NSW we were ready for fires, we had our plan, but here in Peregian Beach it doesn’t compute.
“It’s a learning experience which we hope doesn’t repeat.”
The couple sought refuge in the J Noosa venue but were offered a bed in a private home by a complete stranger.
“She was very generous, it was wonderful,” Alison said
The couple now have a nervous wait until they’re allowed to return home.
About 50 evacuees remain at the J, with mattresses laid out in an auditorium. A variety of pets are also making it their temporary home.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service warns conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing.
“The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path,” it said.
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Residents have been told not expect a firefighter at their door.
“Act now. Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so,” QFES advises.
“If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.”
The fast-moving fire was travelling in a north, north westerly direction from Peregian Beach and Peregian Breeze Estate. It is heading towards Marcus Beach and Weyba.
Residents have been advised to leave immediately, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
The fire also poses a threat to Weyba Downs, Peregian Springs and Castaways Beach, with residents there told to prepare to leave.
A string of four water bombing helicopters are pouring hope from the sky for embattled residents and fire crews trying to save Sunshine Coast homes from the blaze.
The four, which moved up early this morning from where they had been battling flames in the Gold Coast hinterland are collecting water from Peregian Springs golf course lakes every two minutes.
They are dropping 3000 litres every load.
A Boeing 737 large air tanker is also being brought in to help aerial firefighters drop water on the dangerous blaze at Peregian Breeze Estate, media reports.
The jet plane carries a 15,000L payload of water and fire retardant and flies at 850km/h when fully loaded.
Waterbombing helicopters have soaked an area of burnt bush south of Peregian as firefighters try to head off flames threatening homes further north.
Desperate residents hope the bombers can turn the tide on the blaze that tore through last night.
Fire bosses were last night saying their fight was hampered by only being able to get one water binning run in before the sun went down, leaving ground crews to battle through the night.
Residents have praised their heroic efforts, with only one home totally claimed by the flames so far.
Some people are trying to gain access to the #Peregian exclusion zone via the beach. This is extremely dangerous. Please stay away as the emergency declaration is still in place. #bushfire pic.twitter.com/OUDpdIktV5
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) September 9, 2019
EVACUATION DETAILS
More than 400 people are currently in evacuation centres across the Sunshine Coast because of the “ember storm” that engulfed Peregian.
Acting Premier Jackie Trad said more than 300 firefighters worked through last night, with one home being destroyed while another sustained significant damage.
Queenslanders have been warned that above average temperatures are expected again later this week after a short respite tomorrow and Thursday.
Bureau of Meteorology weather services manager Richard Wardle said winds would pick up before easing later today.
“There will be a respite Wednesday and Thursday as winds die down but unfortunately the long term outlook is we expect above average temperatures for Friday and Saturday at least so we expect to see those very high fire danger ratings continue at the end of the week,” he said.
Mr Wardle said the smoke is expected to move inland as the winds swing in a more south easterly direction later today.
He also said no significant rainfall was expected in the short term.
Ms Trad said the fact there was limited damage last night was because of the “herculean effort” of firefighters.
“It was nothing short of a miracle when you consider the ember storm that was engulfing those communities and how unpredictable and quickly that fire emerged late yesterday,” she said.
- Domanii Cameron
Peregian Beach and Marcus Beach residents should evacuate in a northerly direction towards Noosa.
Residents of Peregian Breeze Estate should evacuate in a southerly direction along Sunshine Motorway towards the Nambour Showgrounds on Coronation Ave, Nambour, or Fishermans Road Multi Sports Centre at 108 Fishermans Road, Maroochydore.
Residents of Weyba should evacuate in a north west direction to Emu Mountain Road and Walter Hay Drive towards Cooroy.
Residents who wish to evacuate in Weyba Downs and Peregian Springs should travel in a north westerly direction to Emu Mountain Road and Walter Hay Drive towards Cooroy.
Residents who wish to evacuate in Castaways Beach should travel to David Low Way towards Noosa.
Evacuation centres are open for people travelling north at the Cooroy Library, 9 Maple Street, Cooroy, Noosa Leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville and The J Noosa, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Junction.
Police have warned those trying to access the Peregian exclusion zone to stay away.
“Some people are trying to gain access to the Peregian exclusion zone via the beach. This is extremely dangerous,” police said in a statement.
“Please stay away as the emergency declaration is still in place.”
Hundreds of residents have spent the night in evacuation centres as bushfires rage through Peregian Springs and Peregian Beach, heading north to Marcus Beach, Weyba and Noosa.
Evacuation centres are open for people travelling south at the Multi Sport Centre, Fishermans Road, Maroochydore and the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Ave, Nambour.
Residents in Weyba, Weyba Downs, Peregian Springs and Castaways Beach have also been told to prepare to leave as a fast-moving fire is travelling in a north, north westerly direction from Peregian Beach and Peregian Breeze Estate. It is heading towards Marcus Beach.
It is currently impacting Peregian Beach. It is expected to impact Peregian Springs, Weyba and Weyba Downs.
Those who do leave should travel north to Sunshine Beach or Noosa Heads, and then head west towards Eumundi.
The Sunshine Motorway remains closed in both directions, and David Low Way is closed north of Emu Mountain Rd.
Cars continue to queue up along David Low Way, waiting to get into Peregian Beach this morning, with a roadblock still in place.
Energex crews are mobile and in the area, preparing to restore power as daylight breaks revealing a charred landscape just metres from Coolum Beach State High School.
Smoke is thick in the air still at the southern end of Peregian Beach.
It’s not known yet exactly when residents will be allowed back into town to assess the damage.
Some are parked on the side of the road ringing loved ones to find out if they’re okay, as the blaze keeps burning north.
The State Government has advised Coolum State High School and Peregian Springs State School are closed today.
Parents of students who attend private schools have been urged to contact the schools directly.
An aged care home in the path of the bushfire was evacuated, with more than 90 residents taken to
Ninderry MP Dan Purdie has confirmed Coolum Beach State High School and Peregian Springs State School will be closed on Tuesday.
A Peregian Beach couple have told how they fled their home as the fire approached from a nearby ridge.
The couple, who wouldn’t give their names, said police arrived informing they had to evacuate immediately.
They now sit waiting at the Nambour Showgrounds evacuation centre wondering what they will find when allowed to go back.
“We don’t know how far the fire’s travelled,” the woman said.
“It’s scary but you can’t do anything about it.”
They spent the night at the showgrounds, where they are the only evacuees.
PROPERTIES LOST AT PEREGIAN
Police have confirmed the fire destroyed at least two homes in Peregian.
One house, in Plover St which does not back on to bushland, is believed to have fallen victim to flying embers from the fast moving blaze.
Residents are trying to return to Peregian to assess damage as firefighters battle the blaze which has turned northeast and found new bushland, and potentially homes, to burn.
Last night, Member for Ninderry Dan Purdue said he believed at least a dozen homes were lost.
An eerie red glow filled the sky above the northern beaches as firefighters tried to contain the devastating blaze that jumped David Low Way and tore through Peregian and Marcus Beach.
The homes were believed to be on Lorikeet Dr and Jacana St, Peregian Beach, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
There were also reports that a service station and a sewage treatment plant were on fire.
There are unconfirmed reports that the bushfire front was 700m and despite more than 100 fire fighting crews on scene, they were unable to stop the blaze advancing north.
Meanwhile, emergency co-ordinators have slammed the disaster tourists who have started cruising through streets of the disaster zone, hampering fire and evacuation efforts.
OTHER AREAS UNDER THREAT
Similar alerts have been issued for Ballandean near the Queensland-NSW border as fast-moving, dangerous fire travels east from the New England Highway towards Girraween; O’Reilly in the Lamington National Park and Lower Beechmont (both part of the Sarabah fire).
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Earlier about 100 people were sheltering at the O’Reilly Guest House, including police, guests and staff who were unable to leave by road.
Police have since confirmed that all people have been successfully evacuated.
Anyone else who remains in the O’Reilly area is urged to leave immediately.
A fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Lower Beechmont.
Crews are monitoring the fire, which is currently burning in inaccessible land.
Properties are not under direct threat at this time.
Earlier, locals forced to flee their Gold Coast hinterland homes to escape the Binna Burra inferno have been allowed back into the area to assess the damage.
Residents have been forewarned about the destruction they could face after some homes were lost, while others have been told they can check on their pets and collect medication.
Officials have declared 47 homes across the state are either damaged or completely destroyed, including the historic Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast hinterland.
HOW IS THE WEATHER IMPACTING THE FIRE FIGHT?
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that strong winds overnight are going to make it even harder for firefighters to control the blaze on the Sunshine Coast.
Meteorologist Jonty Hall said dry south-westerly winds of at least 25-30km/h remained “fairly strong” overnight.
He said some gusts swept across the Sunshine Coast were as high as 50km/h.
“Those kind of wind speeds will definitely make the fires difficult to control. It’s one of the primary factors in fire behaviour,” he told The Courier-Mail.
“That’s probably going to persist until the early hours of tomorrow when we should see some easing in the winds and they will start coming out of the south tomorrow morning.
Mr Jonty said there were two factors behind the strong winds, a deep low in the central Tasman Sea and a large high pressure system near Adelaide.
“It’s a combination of those two have been driving the south-westerly winds into southern Queensland,” he said.
The meteorologist said that dry air was a particular concern.
“Relative humidity is not going to climb too much tonight to about 30 per cent and it’s something that will make it harder. The drier it is the harder it is to control fires,” he said.
“It will cool off a little bit but it’s still very dry.”
WHAT AUTHORITIES SAID TODAY
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Government is providing disaster recovery assistance for Queenslanders affected by the bushfires raging near the Gold Coast and Stanthorpe.
He said while the fires of greatest concern over the weekend no longer threatened lives or property, dangerous conditions remained.
“The forecast of dry and windy conditions until Tuesday means that the fire situation does remain volatile,” he said.
He said he had been in contact with the Premier’s office, and urged anyone needing support to call the Queensland Government community recovery hotline on 1800 173 349.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said he hoped the “worst is behind us” but warned the danger was “not all over” as Queensland braced for the “most catastrophic fire season in history”.
“(The forecast) points towards an ominous spring and summer coming up and we just hope that the worst of predictions do not come true,” he said.
State Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford today said the emergency was far from over.
“I think we are through the worst of it, but we still have a couple of days to go before it really starts to cool down,” he said.
Firefighters are still battling more than 65 fires across the state. Early on Monday the Gold Coast hinterland fire was burning on both sides of Binna Burra Rd, south of Summerville Rd, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said.
The fire is not threatening any homes but residents have been warned that strong winds are still making conditions volatile.
Crews have contained a fire around the Queensland border towns of Stanthorpe and Applethorpe, but they will be tested by dry winds.
“But again it’s a very well resourced fire, and we are confident we will be able to hold that, and if there are any outbreaks we will be able to get onto those very quickly,” Acting Fire Commissioner Mike Wassing said.
An exclusion zone remains in place, but some residents are starting to return to their homes to check the extent of the damage, with at least eight structures, including three homes, destroyed there.
One far north Queensland home was burnt down last week, and fires are now burning north of Rockhampton, another near Gympie and one west of Toowoomba, but no homes are under threat in those areas.
Fire bans remain in place across most of the state.
The RSPCA has sent a vet to the Gold Coast to assess injured livestock, and the community is arranging fodder drops.
The federal and state governments have promised assistance to those affected by the fires, including replenishing already dangerously low water supplies used to fight fires around Stanthorpe.
The Insurance Council of Australia has also declared the situation a “catastrophe”, ensuring victims’ claims will be given priority.
Meanwhile Queensland police have warned anyone caught deliberately lighting fires face life imprisonment after some children lit a blaze at Pimpama on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
It was extinguished before it could cause any damage.
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