Reports of arson after Central Qld fire controlled

Fire conditions north of Rockhampton have eased after reports eight spot fires were deliberately lit north of Rockhampton.

Fire conditions north of Rockhampton have eased after reports eight spot fires were deliberately lit north of Rockhampton after a large fire nearby came under control and three fireys were hospitalised for dehydration.

Residents of Rockyview were on a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) prepare to leave alert as a grassfire threatened homes on Tuesday, November 14.

The fire was brought under control after dark but it has been reported another eight spot fires were deliberately lit further north, around The Caves area.

QFES cancelled their warning for the fire on Thursday, stating crews were no longer required on scene and there would be no more warnings unless the situation changed.

While police are investigating reports of arson, QFES Acting Zone Commander for the Fitzroy region John Platt said it was too early to say whether the fires were linked.

Queensland Police Service Rockhampton City Patrol Group Acting Inspector Ben Wiltshire said there would be an increased police presence in the Rockyview area as officers investigated the cause of the fire.

“We’re keeping an open mind about the cause, it’s very distressing to hear reports that it may be suspicious,” he said.

“Any fires are extremely dangerous at this time of year and it’s very disappointing that, if the fires have been lit deliberately, they’ve put lives, property and our emergency services at risk of injury or harm.

“We work closely with the firefighters and the community… we do ask the community to stay vigilant of fires and also for vehicles and people that aren’t normally in your area and if you do see something suspicious or out of place to call Crimestoppers or, if it’s an emergency, triple-0.”

Speaking to media on Thursday, November 16, Acting Inspector Luke Peachey said police currently had no suspects.

“The last thing we need is to be reacting to deliberately lit fires when we have these other tragic events happening,” he said.

“We ask people who see anything suspicious, who think there is something just not right, to contact either Crime Stoppers or Rockhampton police.” 

Fire crews on scene of the Rockyview fire on November 14.

The vegetation fire at Rockyview broke out about midday in a grass paddock near Millers Road.

Upon fire crews’ arrival, the fire was about 500 metres long and 50 to 100 wide, but moving rapidly.

Multiple fire crews attended the fire, including volunteer fire crews from the Rural Fire Services and firefighting aircraft.

Machinery was also used to establish fire breaks and change of wind direction helped control the fire.

After the fire was under control, fire crews were alerted to spot fires that were in the next The Caves, around the Mount Etna Caves National Park.

It was reported eight fires were reignited and appear to have been deliberate.

A handful of fire crews remained on scene about 8pm on Tuesday night.

Rockhampton reached a top of 34 degrees at 3pm on Tuesday, the hottest it has reached for the month of November to date.

Three firefighters were reported to have been taken to hospital for heat exhaustion.

There were no homes or structures destroyed in the fires, although there were some paddocks burnt out and some damages to fences.

QFES alert was put out about 4pm for residents between Millers Road, Greenlake Road, Browns Road and C H Barretts Road, and a stay informed notice was issued for The Olive Estate locals.

The warnings were downgraded at 6.30pm.

QFES Acting Inspector for Bushfire Mitigation Kim Polzin said crews remained on scene on Wednesday afternoon to monitor and “mop up” the blaze.

She said police were investigating the cause of the fires.

“QFES takes these incidents very seriously and these actions are added to our, already enormous, workloads,” she said.

Mr Platt said if fires were being deliberately lit, at any time of the year, it was disappointing.

“I think it’s important for the community to know we are in for a very hard, challenging bushfire season, it’s reported it’s going to go for 28 days longer than usual and we’re already seeing significant operational activity,” he said.

Mr Platt urged the community to consider their bushfire safety plans with two days of high fire danger ratings ahead.

A fire ban for the Central region was extended earlier this week and will remain in place until November 21.

It includes Rockhampton, Livingstone, Central Highlands, Woorabinda and Gladstone local government areas.

All open fires are prohibited during a local fire ban and all Permits to Light Fire are cancelled.

QFES advice for ‘stay informed’ warning:

What you should do:

– Stay informed because conditions could change:

– Check the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website regularly.

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter.

– Listen to your local radio station.

– Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.

– Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

– Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan. Make one on the QFES website.

– Decide where you and the people you live with will go. This could be with family or a friend away from the fire.

– Keep medications close by.

– Avoid smoke – stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid driving through smoke.

– Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

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

– If your life is in danger, call triple-0 (000) immediately.

QFES advice for ‘prepare to leave’ warning:

What you should do:

– 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.

– 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.