Hot weather coming for Gold Coast as fire ban issued

Authorities have issued a fire ban for the city as the Gold Coast braces for sweltering conditions across the next week, with a number of local trails also temporarily shut.

AUTHORITIES have issued a fire ban for the city as the Gold Coast braces for sweltering conditions.

Temperatures are tipped to reach almost 40C inland in south-east Queensland, with Hinterland suburbs possibly reaching 37C.

Coomera was expected to reach 34C by Tuesday, 34C at Nerang and 37C in Beaudesert. Coastal suburbs such as Surfers Paradise or the Seaway would reach 31C.

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Total valley devastation at Sarabah on Monday, September 9, 2019 in the destructive south-east queensland bush fires. Picture: Kirstin Payne

It comes just weeks after the city battled Hinterland fires that razed Binna Burra Lodge and 11 properties.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kimba Wong said “temperatues across the state will increase gradually throughout the weekend with particularly hot temperatures expected in the southeast part of the state by Monday and Tuesday.”

She said a high ridge pressure system was coming in and bringing with it north-westerly winds, making for warmer conditions.

The hot conditions would also lead to higher fire dangers she warned.

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Gold Coasters Lauren Thirrwall and Melody Davis enjoying the warm weather at Tallebudgera Creek. Picture: Jerad Williams

There was no heatwave yet, she said, as overnight temperatures would bring some respite.

By Thursday, storms could bring rain with average temperatures predicted.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services earlier today issued a fire ban for the Gold Coast, as well as neighbouring council areas.

The fireban begins tomorrow and will run until next Friday midnight due to “heightened fire conditions.

“All Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas will be cancelled,” the alert reads.

“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.”

Council have also closed a number of trails temporarily due to the ongoing fire risk, including:

• Apple Tree Park
• Bally Mountain Conservation Area
• Eagle Heights Conservation Area – Old Tambo MBT webpage
• King Parrot Reserve
• Lower Beechmont Conservation Area
• Numinbah Conservation Area
• Pocket Road Reserve
• The Cream Track
• Upper Mudgeeraba Conservation Area
• Upper Ormeau Conservation Area
• Wongawallan Conservation Area