QFD fighting two fires at Mount Morgan range, Burnett Hwy

The Burnett Highway at the Mount Morgan Range has reopened but Razorback Road remains closed until further notice because of roadworks. UPDATE

Emergency services at the scene of multiple fires on Mount Morgan range on September 22, 2024. SES have road blocks on the Burnett Hwy as Queensland Fire Brigade crews battle the fires, including using a helicopter to drop water from the air. Photos by Russell Prothero

The Burnett Highway at the Mount Morgan Range has reopened but Razorback Road remains closed until further notice because of roadworks.

Traffic is being diverted through the range.

Council had planned a full closure of the road between September 13 to the end of January 2025.

Firefighters raced to extinguish two separate fires moving up the range at Mt Morgan at the weekend.

Emergency services were at the scene on the Mount Morgan Range in the Struck Oil and Leyden’s Hill Road area along the Burnett Highway.

Emergency services at the scene of multiple fires on Mount Morgan range on September 22, 2024. SES have road blocks on the Burnett Hwy as Queensland Fire Brigade crews battle the fires, including using a helicopter to drop water from the air.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said on Sunday, September 22 that there were three crews currently at the scene where two separate fires and were moving up the hill..

A grader was on scene working to put a break in at the top of the range when the QFD spokesperson provided an update at 2.50pm.

One person was taken to Mount Morgan Hospital at 2.29pm by the Queensland Ambulance Service with health issues from smoke inhalation from the fire.

Emergency services at the scene of multiple fires on Mount Morgan range on September 22, 2024. SES have road blocks on the Burnett Hwy as Queensland Fire Brigade crews battle the fires, including using a helicopter to drop water from the air.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the State Emergency Services have been asked to turn around motorists at Leyden’s Hill Rd intersection at Struck Oil on the Burnett Hwy.

Razorback Road is currently closed due to major works being undertaken by Rockhampton Regional Council.

Emergency services at the scene of multiple fires on Mount Morgan range on September 22, 2024. SES have road blocks on the Burnett Hwy as Queensland Fire Brigade crews battle the fires, including using a helicopter to drop water from the air.

Reports indicate emergency services have contacted council seeking to open Razorback Rd for this emergency event.

Police were searching for a person in the fire area.