Gold Coast bushfires 2019: ‘No end in sight’ for hinterland fires

A lead firefighter has delivered a grim outlook to Beechmont and Binna Burra residents warning there will be no end in sight for days.

A LEAD firefighter has delivered a grim outlook to displaced Beechmont and Binna Burra residents warning there will be no end in sight for days.

Firefighters remain in a “defensive” position facing never-before-seen conditions, they add, after the blaze claimed the 86-year-old Binna Burra Lodge at the weekend.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) assistant commissioner Kevin Walsh yesterday warned there remained an active threat to homes already saved as wind conditions were changing rapidly.

“We still have a very dynamic fire situation in and around Binna Burra. We are still very much in a defensive mode.”

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Assistant Fire Service Commissioner Kevin Walsh speaks to media at the Canungra Showgrounds. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

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“The fact of the matter is these are very difficult fire conditions that we are experiencing this afternoon. There is no end in sight for reprieve until about Tuesday.”

“Our message to the community is to remain vigilant — this still won’t be over for many days to come.”

Authorities have closed Beechmont State School today as a safety precaution.

Residents were told the school is safe but there are concerns about the difficulty the drive poses for residents.

Authorities are also working to keep road corridors to Beechmont clear of unnessecary travel as it is being used as a primary road for firefighters.

A Canungra fire evacuee is comforted during a community meeting outside Moriarty Park Hall in Canungra on Sunday. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt.

‘TOTALLY DESTROYED’: EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO COAST LODGE REVEALED

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen pleaded again with the public not to come to the area to sightsee.

“People who do not have reason to be in the corridor from Canungra to Beechmont need to stay away at this time,” he said.

“We went up this afternoon in an emergency service vehicle with flashing lights and we had a cavalcade if people dawdling along enjoying a sightseeing tour in front of us that impeded our access.

“The reality is there are people who have not grasped the seriousness.”

Despite the severity of the events unfolding in the Gold Coast hinterland and other places in Queensland, there has been no loss of life.

“That is in part due to the pro activity of our community listening to advice,” he said.

Property taken earlier this week included ten homes at Binna Burra and a single property at Table Top.

“Some areas have suffered some loss but many of the residents we have in the area have self relocated,” Cr Christensen said.

Some residents are being allowed to return to their properties with the help of emergency services to attend to animals.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

WATER BOMBERS DEPLOYED TO BINNA BURRA

Water bombers capable of holding up to 17,000 litres of water were yesterday deployed from NSW in a bid to ease the terrifying blaze gripping the hinterland.

The aircraft, called a Large Air Tanker (LAT), came from Coffs Harbour.

It came after the devastating news Binna Burra Lodge had received “significant” damage to the fires.

An air operations aerial observer told the Bulletin the blaze that had threatened Sarabah, Beechmont, Canungra and now Binna Burra, was one continuous fire moving south east.

“The most damage we have seen is to the north of Binna Burra Lodge on the ridge,” the aerial observer said.

“There has been confirmation of houses being lost but the exact number is to be confirmed.

“The fire has not moved a great deal since (Saturday night) but a blaze this large can be aggressive and people should be cautious.”

Mr Christensen said Binna Burra Lodge had been “totally destroyed” with significant damage to every structure.

Canungra firefighters in action.

Mr Walsh said firefighters were on location at 3am yesterday but couldn’t take appliances in as there were trees blocking the roads.

“As soon as we got the vision from the chopper we knew there was significant damage because of the sound of breaking glass.”

It is understood Binna Burra staff self evacuated by Friday evening.

“That was a great step on their behalf,” he said. “They should be applauded for it -they know the area and they acted.”

As of yesterday, there 56 fires across the state, with at least 326 trucks deployed.

It is understood many volunteer firefighters in the area had been called back to their local areas due to ongoing fires in Gatton and Stanthorpe.