Mooloolah River National Park fire creates havoc on roads in Sippy Downs

A Sunshine Coast national park where a fire burned for almost six hours and turned a major motorway into a carpark was months away from being backburned. SEE THE VIDEO

Mooloolah River National Park was just months away from a scheduled back burn before vegetation went up in flames this week, causing smoke to cloud the Sippy Downs area for hours.

Investigations have launched into how a wildfire which destroyed between 250-300ha of bushland was started in the Mooloolah River National Park near Claymore Road.

The fire broke out about 3pm Tuesday, and despite recent heavy rain on the Coast, it quickly took hold of vegetation as it burnt on several fronts.

Five fire crews arrived on scene, however at 7pm police shut down the Sunshine Motorway between Dixon Rd and Kawana Rd.

The fire was contained in the national park and presented no risk to life or property.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service had scheduled a planned burn near the Claymore Road access between March and August 2022, when favourable weather conditions permitted.

Fire crews had recently undergone a 129ha planned hazard reduction burn in the adjacent section of the Mooloolah River National Park on opposite side of the Sunshine Motorway in June 2021.

Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg is calling for regular backburning in state forests following the wildfire in Mooloolaba River National Park on December 15.

However Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg said there was more to be done to ensure park vegetation was properly managed to prevent random wildfires ignite like seen on the Coast this week.

“We know this area has burnt in the past and it’s threatened the community of Sippy Downs in the past,” Mr Mickelberg said.

“The community shouldn’t have to deal with this regularly, and we’ve seen time and time again where (the government) hasn’t done the backburning required.”

Mr Mickelberg said he’d been lobbying the Queensland Government since 2017 to back burn the area that went up in flames on Tuesday.

“We need to ensure there is a proactive and regular backburning program right across the state for national parks and state forests everywhere,” he said.

The area borders the massive Chancellor Park estate, which is home to thousands, as well as the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Harmony estate.

AVID Property Group General Manager Queensland Bruce Harper said his company’s Harmony Estate had recently graded its access road to ensure safety for residents.

Mr Harper said there main entrance point through Peter Crosby Way and the graded emergency exit road through to the Bruce Highway, which provided a second access point.

“Harmony Estate made sure we always have had a fire escape access through the Bruce Highway and the main entrance,” he said.

“We’ve always ensured that access was available, it was graded recently.”

Five fire crews from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service worked to extinguish the wildfire, supported by firefighting personnel and equipment from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Crews contained the fire about 10pm and the Sunshine Motorway was then reopened at 10.45pm.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife have since arrived back on scene on Wednesday morning to continue extinguishing the remainder of the fire and investigate the cause of the blaze.

A massive fire in the Mooloolah River National Park at Sippy Downs caused traffic chaos on the Sunshine Motorway on December 14. Picture: Julie Furler

A number of ignition sources were observed during firefighting operations and any member of the public with information on any suspicious activity in the area is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or QPWS on 1300 130 372.

The massive fire turned the Sunshine Motorway into a carpark during peak hour on Tuesday with many forced to travel the wrong way on the road to get out of it.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said on Tuesday the fire was not threatening any properties but it did create a major smoke hazard.

Using back burning techniques to help control the blaze, firefighters worked for more than six hours.

Access in and out of the estate can be difficult at the best of times.

The national park and the university are home to kangaroos along with plenty of other native animals.

University officials were monitoring the blaze into the night but it understood the university was not under direct threat though the fire came close.

Three smoke warnings were issued by Queensland Fire and Emergency over the course of its five hour burn, with the sightings of smoke as far as Maroochydore.

There were unconfirmed reports that the fire may have been deliberately lit.

A massive fire in the Mooloolah River National Park at Sippy Downs caused traffic chaos on the Sunshine Motorway on December 14.

As the fire burnt into the night, it could be seen from across the Coast as the thick black smoke billowed above the national park.

Earlier, during peak hour, many motorists were stuck in traffic with one Subway worker even directing traffic at Sippy Downs at one point, urging motorists to turn around to avoid hitting the closed roads. Police were also on scene directing traffic around the area.

Those entering the Sunshine Motorway, coming from Nambour on the highway just before Sippy Downs, saw a wall of cars ahead of them.

Residual smoke from mopping up operations may still be seen in the Buderim and Sippy downs areas.

Motorists should take care and drive to the conditions when travelling in the area.

Anyone in the area with health issues that may be exacerbated by smoke should take appropriate precautions.