Gold Coast Hinterland fires: Properties identified as being at risk

Firefighters are battling to protect Gold Coast Hinterland properties threatened by a raging bushfire. They have identified which properties are at risk from the blaze.

FIREFIGHTERS are battling to protect Gold Coast Hinterland properties threatened by a raging bushfire.

Speaking from Canungra Fire Station, Rural Fire Service (RFS) incident controller Kaye Healing said up to five properties were at risk from the fire at Sarabah, which is out of control.

More than 20 fire trucks and dozens of firefighters have been slogging it out in the heat to battle the blaze, which continues to burn in prime conditions after igniting over the weekend.

“We have identified a number of properties at risk. Overall, about five we have to be proactive about to keep them safe when the fire does come down the hill at them,” Ms Healing said.

HINTERLAND BUSHFIRE RAGES JUST METRES FROM HOMES

RFS Incident Controller Kaye Healing at Canungra Fire Station. Picture: Luke Mortimer

“The bushfire started last weekend and because of the weather we’re having, it’s all pretty ordinary.

“The fire has pushed through the inaccessible areas and actually coming out to where we can do something about it.”

Ms Healing said no one had been evacuated as of 2pm, but it was not out of the question in coming hours and days.

BUSHFIRE WARNINGS ACROSS QUEENSLAND

Fire crews at Canungra Fire Station respond to a bushfire in the Gold Coast hinterland. Picture: Luke Mortimer

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“Tomorrow’s conditions aren’t so bad, but there is a real spike (expected in following days) so conditions will deteriorate quickly,” she said.

Ms Healing said the hot, dry and smoky conditions were testing RFS crews.

“There is a few of them that are showing signs of heat stress. We are trying to monitor that closely and resting people when we can,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of breakouts going on and it’s still quite windy. You get some variation in the wind directions and wind speed in the hills, which does make it challenging to contain and control that fire.”

The Rapid Relief Team has been on hand at the station to help cater to firefighters on the frontline.

Mrs Healing pleaded with residents in the hinterland to “clean up their own home” and ensure their property was accessible and free of leaf litter or other flammable items.