FIRES: Bushfire breaks out behind Helensvale Aquatic Centre
The Aquatic Centre in Helensvale was evacuated yesterday after a fire broke out in adjoining bushland with QFES advising local residents to “stay informed”.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Helensvale residents were told to “stay informed” yesterday afternoon after a bushfire broke out in the area.
The fire broke out in bushland behind the council-run Helensvale Aquatic Centre at about 3.30pm.
Six fire crews responded to the scene, which was blanketed in thick smoke.
STAY INFORMED: Helensvale bushfire as at 4.55pm Wed 13 Nov:https://t.co/KJmU5LzTvC
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 13, 2019
QFES advised that as of 4.55pm the fire continued to burn near Rugby Lane.
“Multiple crews are on scene working to contain the fire,” a QFES statement said.
“People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
“Properties are not under direct threat at this time.”
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to a fire in adjoining bushland, Helensvale Aquatic Centre has been evacuated.
— City of Gold Coast (@cityofgoldcoast) November 13, 2019
All customers have been safely evacuated and fire crews are now on the scene.
The pool will remain closed until further notice.
Council said that the Aquatic Centre was safely evacuated and that the pool will remain closed until further notice.
The fire came within 10 metres of the centre.
Ash was falling in the surrounding area, which includes Helensvale High School.
Nearby residents leapt into action when the fire was first noticed, dousing it with buckets of water from a nearby creek.
Ex-nurse Christine Rington didn’t think twice, jumping into the drain to bring water to the fires.
Her mother, who is in an electric wheelchair, was also one of many who helped to transport buckets of water.
“There’s so many people standing around taking photos. We need buckets. We need people moving the water. We need help,” Ms Rington said.
EARLIER:
A fire burning near the centre of Beenleigh has been downgraded, with residents now being told to stay informed.
Earlier Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued an alert for residents to prepare to leave, as the blaze threatened railway lines, homes and shops.
The fire is travelling in a westerly direction towards the railway line and Beenleigh
Marketplace shopping centre near Reisers Rd and the M1 but has now been contained.
There is currently no threat to properties, a spokesman said.
10News reported Beenleigh Marketplace has been closed as emergency services continue to work.
Beenleigh Marketplace is closed, as a bushfire burns nearby. It’s now contained and not threatening homes @10NewsFirstQLD pic.twitter.com/kcI3XN59tX
— Johnpaul Gonzo (@JohnpaulGonzo) November 13, 2019
However motorists on the M1 are being told to take extra care, with smoke affecting visibility in the area.
Earlier bus services in the area were forced to skip stops, but services have since resumed.
A Queensland Rail (QR) spokeswoman told the Bulletin Gold Coast and Airport train services were still continuing to operate as normal at 2.10pm but QR was aware of the situation and would update customers via social media if conditions change.
Route 563 buses travelling in both directions are on a local diversion due to the current bushfire threat. Stops missed Beenleigh & Eagleby. https://t.co/Y7ftW6TRY0 #TLAlert #TL500s pic.twitter.com/FwtqUXO0n4
— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) November 13, 2019
It follows another flare up in Binna Burra this morning.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) first warned residents in the Binna Burra area to “stay alert” at 8.30am, with a bushfire burning south of Binna Burra, near Chiminya Creek in the Lamington National Park.
It was still burning at 3.30pm with ground crews and waterbombing aircraft are working to contain the fire.
STAY INFORMED: Binna Burra bushfire as at 8.35am Wed 13 Nov: https://t.co/JRtztPITMX
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 12, 2019
Meanwhile high winds are challenging firefighters on the Gold Coast today as crews brace for dangerous wind changes and dry thunderstorms this afternoon.
A blaze at Lower Beechmont is still burning easterly within containment lines, to the west of North Rd, Freemans Rd and Outlook Ave.
QFES Acting Superintendent for the Gold Coast area Bruce Trickey said it was a large fire and would take time to control.
“So far everything is going to plan,” he said.
“We look ahead so we’ve been taking advantage of the weather conditions.”
Crews have been preparing for worsening conditions, including a change in wind direction which is forecast today.
Hinterland residents flee from fire threat
New owner of Paradise Resort revealed
Where you can buy cheap oceanfront apartments on coast
Supt Trickey said crews were preparing for the winds to turn southerly today, using defence force personnel to build strong containment lines for when the fire changes direction.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said Gold Coast City Council was readying for the “worst scenario” today.
“We’ve been doing preparation work over the last two or three days preparing for today,” he said.
“We’ve been clearing the tracks … it’s detailed work and I’m very confident the Gold Coast will come through OK.”
About 35 firefighters and 11 trucks have been tasked to the Lower Beechmont blaze, assisted by several dozen members of the Australian Defence Force.
Cr Tate urged residents to stay alert, warning it was “everyone’s responsibility” to stay on top of fire alerts and health declarations, as well as the closure of some facilities.
This morning Council declared all three campgrounds on South Stradbroke Island will be shut down indefinitely due to the fire risk.
A number of trails and walking paths in the hinterland have also been closed to stop hikers getting trapped by moving bushfires.
“People are still doing bushwalking, and fire moves so unpredictably and fast … really you shouldn’t be endangering your lives, you could get hurt, but (you’re also) taking resources away from emergency areas,” Cr Tate said.
GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS
Seqwater has also declared a number of lakes and recreational areas, including the Hinze Dam, have been closed to water users until further notice.
A spokesman said the dam was currently being used to refill firefighting aircraft.
It follows the closure of Wollumbin National Park and the popular Mt Warning summit trail earlier this week.
Increased winds and temperatures, as well as lowered humidity is set to strike the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim region in coming days, bringing more dangerous fire conditions.
Today the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting tops of up to 31C on the Coast, with the chance of a thunderstorm in the hinterland this afternoon.
But forecasters said it was unlikely there would be any rainfall to help ease fire conditions, with the dry storm more likely to spark fresh spotfires.
MORE NEWS
First look at theme park’s multimillion-dollar upgrade
Plan for $1b mega-tower beside Jewel
Cancer charity ambassador ‘faked terminal diagnosis’
The Lower Beechmont Rural Fire Brigade took to Facebook to update residents, telling people not to panic if they saw vehicles near their homes.
“We have a large number of fire trucks in the area as a precaution. So if you see a fire truck going past, don’t be concerned,” the post read.
The current park closures:
-Apple Tree Park
-Bally Mountain Conservation Area
-Bonogin Conservation Area
-Cloverside Park
-Eagle Heights Conservation Area – Old Tambo Mountain Bike Trail
-Lower Beechmont Conservation Area
-Maudsland Ridge
-Numinbah Conservation Area
-Pocket Road Reserve
-The Cream Track
-Upper Ormeau Conservation Area
-Upper Mudgeeraba Conservation Area
-Wongawallan Conservation Area
Fresh twist in plans for ridiculed Yatala lights
The future of the Yatala lights artwork on the M1, which has been ridiculed by the public, has been decided in a special council meeting. Here’s what they decided to do.
‘Keep an eye on warnings’: Storms hit city
Storms have hit the Gold Coast with expected rainfalls reaching a top of 50mm in the wettest parts of the city. FULL DETAILS