Fire warning declared for Mount Garnet, Kennedy Highway

The Queensland Fire Department has issued a stay informed warning for Mount Garnet after containing a large fire travelling along the Kennedy Highway on Thursday afternoon, however not all residents will be able to return home.

A prepare to leave warning has been issued to Tablelands residents on Thursday afternoon with reports of a large fire travelling towards the Kennedy Highway. Photo: Bev Lacey

The Queensland Fire Department has issued a stay informed warning to Mount Garnet residents, after containing a large fire travelling along the Kennedy Highway on Thursday afternoon.

However not all residents will be able to return home.

A QFD spokesman confirmed a Not Safe to Return warning was issued for residents on the southern side of Mount Garnet at 4.24pm, which was previously issued a Leave Immediately warning.

Meanwhile, the Watch and Act warning issued to the northern part of Mount Garnet has also been downgraded to advice level.

In a statement, QFD urged anyone who evacuated to stay where they were as the area is unsafe to return.

Residents who stayed were urged to follow their bushfire survival plans and be ready to leave in case the situation changed.

A QFD spokesman confirmed residents who lived on the northside of the Kennedy Highway could return, but urged people to stay up to date on fire warnings.

PREPARE TO LEAVE - Mount Garnet (near Ravenshoe) - fire as at 2:22pm Thursday, 31 October 2024
For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://t.co/CMqxEjaVXa pic.twitter.com/EpabcCA5uf

— Queensland Fire Department (@QldFireDept) October 31, 2024

The updates come after Tablelands Regional Council urged people in the Innot Hot Springs area to leave immediately due to an ongoing fire threat.

In a statement, council urged residents to stay with family or friends.

The Innot Hot Springs Progress Hall has been opened for members of the community who have no other option.

Mount Garnet residents were evacuated from homes south of the Kennedy Highway on Thursday afternoon. The Queensland Fire Department has issued a Not Safe To Return act has been issued for some parts of the town. Photo: Jim Gray.

It comes after the Queensland Fire Department issued Leave Immediately fire warning for Mount Garnet.

The Queensland Fire Department issued a statement at 3.20pm, urging residents between Rutile Street and Cemetary Road to leave their homes.

It comes after QFD issued a prepare to leave warning following reports of a large fire travelling towards the Kennedy Highway.

PREPARE TO LEAVE - Mount Garnet (near Ravenshoe) - fire as at 2:22pm Thursday, 31 October 2024
For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://t.co/CMqxEjaVXa pic.twitter.com/EpabcCA5uf

— Queensland Fire Department (@QldFireDept) October 31, 2024

Earlier, QFD issued a watch and act alert for Mount Garnet at 2.22pm.

In a statement, QFD confirmed a large fire was burning near Warruma Swamp Road between Onyx Street and Harrison Road, towards the Kennedy Highway.

“Conditions could get worse quickly,” the statement said.

“Firefighters are working to contain the fire. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. “Firefighting aircraft are helping ground crews.”

It comes two days after a similar notice was issued to residents in Millstream, 126km south of Cairns, on Tuesday.

Originally published as Fire warning declared for Mount Garnet, Kennedy Highway