Mount Garnet residents advised to return home with caution, fire under control along the Kennedy Highway

The Queensland Fire Department has advise residents for the Mount Garnet area can return home, but to stay alert and avoid smoke.

Catherine Duffy and Emma Cam

less than 2 min read

October 31, 2024 - 3:27PM

The Cairns Post

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

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Residents in the Mount Garnet area have been advised it is safe to return home, however, should stay indoors where possible and keep essential medication close by.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said fire is “well within containment lines” as of late Thursday evening.

“A warning was issued last night as a safe to return with caution and it has been further downgraded this morning,” she said.

However, QFD have reminded those returning home to stay informed and avoid smoke by keeping their doors and windows closed.

“We advise residents who are returning to avoid smoke, this means keep your doors and windows closed and have medication nearby if you need it”.

One fire crew remains onsight as of Friday morning.

“QFD will continue to monitor the fire and dampen the edges of the containment lines,” the spokeswoman said.

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.

This comes after a large fire had been burning in the region travelling along the Kennedy Highway on Thursday afternoon.

The Queensland Fire Department issued a “stay informed” warning to Mount Garnet residents, followed by a “not safe to return” notice for those on the southern side just after 4.24pm.

This area had previously been under a “leave immediately” warning.

Meanwhile, the “watch and act” warning for the northern part was downgraded to advice level.

The QFD advised evacuees to remain where they are due to safety concerns and urged residents who stayed to follow their bushfire survival plans.

Those living on the north side of the Kennedy Highway were able to return home but told to stay updated 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

In a statement, QFD had advised at 2.22pm on Thursday, October 31, 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.

catherine.duffy@news.com.au