Challenging day for firefighters at Beerwah blaze, despite weather reprieve
Conditions are better than expected for dozens of crews on the frontline ensuring a Beerwah blaze remains under control on its fourth day of burning, the rural fire boss has revealed.
Sunshine Coast
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A fire continues to burn within containment lines in the Sunshine Coast hinterland as firefighters prepare for a challenging day on the ground.
The fire at Beerwah, which has so far burned about 176ha near the Bruce Hwy, Mawsons Rd and Roys Rd, continues to burn within containment lines for a third day.
Rural Fire Service, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and HQ Plantations crews will continue work to deepen containment lines, with support to be provided by water bombing aircraft if any hotspots arise.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a maximum temperature of 28 degrees in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town today and a moderate fire danger rating.
The conditions are an improvement from an earlier forecast, with Rural Fire Service director Chief Superintendent Matt Inwood advising that abated conditions will assist crews on the ground.
“The conditions today are a little better than predicted yesterday,” Superintendent Inwood said.
“We’ll see a northerly wind influence throughout the day today with wind speeds around about up to 15 kilometres gusting up to 25, while temperatures will get up towards 30 degrees.”
Originally, they were forecasting north-westerly winds which bring hotter winds with them.
Despite the slight weather reprieve, Superintendent Inwood said it will be a massive day for crews on the frontline.
“Today will be a big day for crews for consolidation of containment lines and extinguishing any hotspots that may arise and blacking out edges of the fire to make sure that we have a secure perimeter around the fire,” he added.
“Currently, there are 10 crews and appliances on site, but that will vary throughout the day.
“It’ll still be a challenging day for firefighters, however all our crews on the ground are well trained and will be very vigilant.
“Thank you to all of the firefighters involved in this incident, working to keep a fire within proposed containment lines.”
Superintendent Inwood encouraged the public to keep up to date with fire warnings and prepare for the fire season ahead.
“Keep up to date with fire warnings and it’s a timely reminder to the community to ensure that they are well prepared, that their properties are well prepared, and to complete a Bushfire Survival Plan for the bushfire season ahead,” he said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said when the prepare to leave warning was issued for Beerwah residents at 5.15pm on Monday by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, two evacuation centres were on stand-by but were not activated.
“Council has bedding and equipment located in strategic locations and has a memorandum of understanding with Red Cross Australia for management of evacuation centres in collaboration with Council staff, should they be required,” she said.
“Evacuation centre locations are published as they are activated and shared by the lead agency – QFES in this case.”
A high of 34 degrees is predicted for Thursday, September 21, and an accompanying high fire danger rating has been issued.
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