Residents return to Selma Rd, Emerald, homes after large grass fire

It took 70 firefighters and volunteers and at least two water bombers to control a massive blaze that destroyed two liveable sheds and forced fearful locals to flee their properties outside Emerald on Sunday, September 17.

It took 70 firefighters and volunteers and at least two water bombers to control a massive blaze that destroyed two liveable sheds and forced fearful locals to flee their properties outside Emerald on Sunday, September 17.

About 130 hectares of land was burnt before it came under control at 6pm, when Queensland Fire and Emergency (QFES) Services rescinded its “leave” warning urging residents to evacuate the area.

On Sunday just after 1pm, locals along Selma Rd between Emerald and Fairbairn Dam Rd, including Fairbairn State Forest, were issued a warning to leave the area immediately.

The vegetation fire was reported to be 2 sqkm in size and up to 15 crews were sent to help fight the blaze about 10km down Selma Rd, southwest of Emerald, about 11.30am.

Emerald Area Commander Scott Castree said about 70 staff and volunteers were on site to help fight the fire throughout the day, including 22 fire trucks and two waterbombing aircraft.

Emerald Area Commander Scott Castree.

Mr Castree said there was also great support from State Emergency Service volunteers, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue teams.

“Due to the high winds that were blowing in the area the fire was quickly spreading in a number of directions,” he said.

Temperatures rose to 30.7 degrees on Sunday in Emerald, according to the Bureau of Meteorology and wind gusts of up to 22 km/h north-easterly.

Mr Castree said about 13 structures were located in the “immediate fire area” on Selma Rd.

He said Queensland Police Service and State Emergency Service door knocked those residents to ensure they received the warning to leave the area immediately.

He said fire had gone through two structures, which were liveable sheds, and no persons were on site.

He said the fire was under control shortly after 6pm on Sunday, September 18, with residents able to “return with caution” just after 6.30pm.

“We used our predictive services within Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to identify a gap in the afternoon where the winds were at a minimum and we were able to use that small window to get a firebreak put in,” he said.

“The ground crews did a fantastic job getting that in a short time frame and starting their backburning operations.

“If that didn’t happen we would likely still be fighting this fire now.”

Emerald Fires Control Point Selma Road. Picture: Contributed

On Monday morning, a QFES spokesman said hot spots were now burning, with containment lines near Fairbairn State Forest.

There was still smoke in the area and residents were asked to proceed with caution.

Mr Castree said fire crews were on site looking for any possible flare-ups, “particularly during this time of the day”.

“They are currently out there just monitoring and dampening down hotspots and any flare ups that might occur,” he said.

“We have additional fire and rescue teams on standby should they be required to respond as well.”

The team at Crave Food and Juice Bar in Emerald. Picture: Contributed

Crave Food and Juice Bar manager Jodie Mcgaw said her team were willing to run food out to the first responders fighting the fire on Monday morning if the blaze hadn’t been brought under control.

Ms Mcgaw said she had received messages from people offering to drop off trailers and pallets of water.

“Coles turned up this morning with the online truck before they saw the cancelled message with more water, food and fruit,” she said.

“The (community) spirit was awe inspiring.

“It is amazing to see in small towns when things get tough.”

A “high 31” fire danger rating is in place for the Central Highlands and Coalfields for Monday September 18.

The rating is downgraded to “moderate” for Tuesday and Wednesday and back up to “high” on Thursday with 35.

For the Rockhampton area, which is under the Capricornia district on BoM, a “moderate” fire danger warning is in place for the next four days.

It comes after a bush fire destroyed 3000 acres of land on and around Capricornia Correctional Centre last week at Etna Creek north of Rockhampton.