Tuchekoi fire contained, as prepare to leave warning issued for Landsborough

Firefighters are battling a major blaze on the Sunshine Coast where warnings are current while the threat from another fire to the north near Gympie has eased. VIDEOS, NEW PHOTOS.

Fire crews are battling a major blaze on the Sunshine Coast just hours after defending homes near Gympie.

Follow breaking updates to the Landsborough fire threatening Australia Zoo here.

It comes as a total fire ban is issued for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa and extended for the Wide Bay including Bundaberg, Gympie and the Fraser Coast and as dangerous fires burn across the state.

Firefighters and water bombing aircraft were first called to a large bushfire in a rural locality in the Mary Valley.

The vegetation fire near Kenilworth Skyring Creek Rd, Tuchekoi, broke out just before midday, Saturday October 28.

Photos from a blaze which is burning at Tuchekoi,, 30km south of Gympie.

Initial reports had the fire over an acre in size and spreading, with the blaze creating quite a large amount of smoke in the area.

By 1.40pm, the fire spread for three kilometres, with crews working to protect multiple properties in the area and a Prepare to Leave warning issued for Imbil.

Pictures taken of the fire currently burning at Tuchekoi, 30km south of Gympie.

A QFES spokeswoman said 11 crews were tasked to the scene along with aerial support.

“Crews are doing structural protection in the area on multiple properties,” the spokeswoman said.

“Aerial support is on the way for water bombing.

“More ground crews are also on the way.”

As at 4pm, a QFES spokeswoman said property protection was no longer needed but 300 acres had been razed.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman advised there were still multiple road closures in the area.

“Motorists are urged to avoid the area, with residents urged to listen to the advice of emergency services,” the spokeswoman said.

The vegetation fire at Beerwah. Picture: Jordyn Fisher

It comes as firefighters work to control a fire that ignited near Roys Rd and Dianella Rd, Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, just before 1pm.

A QFES spokeswoman said early reports had it come through as an empty paddock on fire.

“There are 21 crews currently at the scene of that fire, including senior officers and air support,” the spokeswoman said.

At 3.52pm, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued a ‘Prepare to Leave’ warning for a fire impacting property between Hardwood Road, Hapgood Road, Old Caloundra Road, and Steve Irwin Way at Landsborough.

“A large, fast-moving fire is burning near Dianella Forestry Road. It is travelling towards Forestry Road,” the warning read.

“Conditions could get worse quickly.

“Firefighters are working to contain the fire. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Firefighting aircraft are helping ground crews.”

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.

Photos from a blaze which is burning at Tuchekoi, 30km south of Gympie.

– If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.

– Avoid driving on Dianella Road.

– 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.

– Stay informed:

– Keep checking the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website.

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter.

– Listen to your local radio station.

Impacts:

– No properties are at risk but conditions could get worse quickly.

– The fire is likely to impact the community in the coming hours.

– Smoke can make it hard for some people to breathe.

– Smoke can make it hard to see when you are driving.

– Burning embers may reach properties. Try to put them out quickly with water.

– Roads may be closed or impacted.

– Power, water, and mobile phone services may be impacted as the fire gets closer.

Further Information:

– For all warnings, visit the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website.

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter.

– For road closures, visit the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.

Next update by 5:25pm or sooner if the situation changes.

If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

FIRE BAN

The ban for the Wide Bay is already in place and the ban for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Local Government Areas takes effect from Sunday.

Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been cancelled for the duration of the ban.

Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.

This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.

The ban is expected to remain in place until 2359hrs on Monday 6 November 2023.

Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the QFES website