Police finish probe into one Beerwah blaze, continue another

Police have made their final call on last month’s Beerwah blaze but continue to probe the latest fire in the area that forced an evacuation and partially closed the Bruce Highway.

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Police have completed an investigation into a Beerwah blaze last month and continue to probe the latest fire in the area that caused an evacuation and partially closed a major highway.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said officers continued an investigation into a “suspicious” blaze that began on Saturday, October 21.

Emergency services received a call at 1.40pm on October 21 reporting a vegetation fire near a plantation zone.

The latest Beerwah blaze prompted a leave immediately warning on Saturday for Mawsons Rd and Holt Rd and had burnt about 380ha.

The police spokeswoman said investigators had spoken to witnesses and urged others in the area who had seen anything suspicious to come forward.

The Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade was among 38 crews fighting a blaze in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast at the weekend. Picture: Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade

The police spokeswoman said an investigation had been completed into another blaze at Beerwah that began on September 18.

“It was investigated and there’s no evidence to indicate the fire was deliberately lit,” she said.

A blaze in Beerwah, which started at the weekend, has burnt about 380ha. Picture: Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade

Earlier this week, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said that at the height of the October 21 blaze, 38 crews and seven aircraft were involved in the firefighting efforts.

Also earlier this week, a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police were treating the blaze as suspicious and officers continued their investigation.

“We’re appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Mawsons Rd area before the fire started to come forward,” she said.

The spokeswoman said police also continued to investigate a fire that burnt more than 170ha last month in Beerwah.

Police had investigated if hoons had started the blaze that burnt vegetation at Mawsons Rd and Roys Rd.

The police spokeswoman said there was nothing to suggest hoons were involved in starting that fire and an investigation continued.

Residents were told they could return to their homes on Saturday afternoon after the leave immediately warning was issued at 3.20pm on Saturday for Mawsons Rd and Holt Rd.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said as of Sunday about 4.45pm the fire was still burning within containment lines.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife teams were assisting crews Sunday morning to keep the blaze under control.

As of about 8.5opm on Sunday, the fire had burnt through 130ha of vegetation, the spokeswoman said.

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Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised to avoid smoke in the area as of Sunday about 10.30am.

It has been advised to stay inside and close all windows and doors.

A leave immediately warning was issued at 3.20pm on Saturday for Mawsons Rd and Holt Rd and residents have since been able to return.

Smoke could be seen driving on the Bruce Highway following a lane closure northbound.

Police had closed one northbound lane of the Bruce Highway on Saturday which has since reopened.

The spokeswoman previously said on Saturday 38 fire crews were on scene working to contain the blaze.

Paramedics remained on standby and no patients have been reported at this time.

Seven waterbombing aircrafts assisted ground crews on Saturday as they worked to get the blaze under control in the plantation area.

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Smoke from the fire was seen by travellers on the Bruce Highway. Credit: Helen Andrew

The blaze burnt through plantation at Beerwah near the Bruce Highway. Credit: Karl Smith – Your Division One

The view from Roys Rd heading towards Beerwah. Credit: Deanna Kelly.

A cloud of smoke can be seen from Pelican Waters. Credit Maryanne Rarty

A warning has been issued for nearby residents following large vegetation fire in Beerwah. Credit: Cade & Co Property

Smoke from the vegetation fire can be seen when driving along the Bruce Highway. Credit: Judith Dean

The fire near Beerwah. Picture: Trich DC/Facebook

The view from Roys Rd heading towards Beerwah. Credit: Deanna Kelly.

Smoke from the vegetation fire can be seen when driving along the Bruce Highway. Credit: Judith Dean