Duranbah bushfire: Water bombers deployed as fire burns across 160ha
A blaze that has spanning over 160ha south of the Queensland-NSW border is believed to have begun as a private burn, prompting a warning from fire authorities.
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Fire crews are working to contain a bushfire burning east of the Pacific Highway at Duranbah, south of the Queensland-NSW border.
Backburning operations are being undertaken along Clothiers Creek Rd and smoke will be visible in the area and from the Pacific Highway.
Very high fire danger for southeast Qld as winds and temperatures soar
The Rural Fire Service said it was suspected the fire was an escaped private burn.
It said although there has been recent rain, grass areas remained quite dry and under current conditions it was important to be careful and keep any eye on any burns on one's property.
It is expected that strong winds will continue across parts of the state until at least Sunday.
The RFS said to take note of forecast conditions and remember you must notify your neighbours and fire authorities 24 hours in advance before lighting up.
Clothiers Creek Rd, between the Pacific Highway and Cabarita, was closed just before 3.30pm
Water bombers were earlier assisting more than 20 firefighters working on the ground from the NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks.
The fire was burning out of control east of the Pacific Highway and north of Clothiers Creek Rd in reedy grassland which is wet underfoot, making it difficult to access in vehicles.
Weather conditions are also hampering efforts to extinguish the blaze, with variable, gusty winds.
Heavy plant has been brought in to assist with putting in containment lines around the fire.
The fire is currently at an advice level, but residents near Forest Hill Road and Tanglewood should monitor conditions, take advice from firefighters and follow bush fire survival plan. #9News pic.twitter.com/lZFoANPAQr
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) August 19, 2020
The grassland fire is burning near Clothiers Creek Road and the Pacific Highway in #Duranbah, near Tweed Heads. #9News pic.twitter.com/fD56LsHAvF
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) August 19, 2020
NSW Rural Fire Service is also warning the public about weather conditions later in the week, as strong and gusty winds are forecast for much of NSW over coming days.
RFS reminded landholders to check local conditions before conducting hazard reduction burns.
Also you must notify your local fire authority and your neighbours at least 24 hours before lighting up.
You can now notify the RFS online about your planned burn: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify
Originally published as Duranbah bushfire: Water bombers deployed as fire burns across 160ha