Horses out as pony club boss takes no chances

Coolum Pony Club gets horses out as fire threat intensifies

A bushfire burning between the Sunshine Motorway and the northern end of Coolum is clearly visible from Peregian Springs.

MEMORIES of intense bushfires flared for Coolum Pony Club secretary Melissa East as she rushed to evacuate horses from a fast-moving fire on Monday afternoon.

Ms East said she was glad there were only two horses at the club’s Tritonia Drive property as she loaded them onto a float about 5pm.

Authorities have warned property owners in that street as well as Rowan Ct, Waratah Ct, Needle Ct, Lupin Place and Kanooka Ave to prepare to leave in case the fire heads their way.

“I was coming home from work and I saw the smoke up the motorway,” Ms East said.

She said while there didn’t appear to be an immediate threat to the club’s property, she wasn’t taking any chances.

“The biggest concern is that the pony club is right next to the national park.”

Ms East said she was wary after fires ripped through the area in January 2017.

Those fires, which started in the Coolum industrial estate, burned for about four days and threatened property between Coolum and Peregian Springs.

She said she was taking her horses to a friend’s place until the area was safe.

Originally published as