Western Downs fire crews battle two ‘suspicious’ blazes

Fire crews are suspecting that two fires which continue to burn near Kogan and Weranga were deliberately lit.

A large fire burns near Kogan 6/11/24

There are grave fears the Western Downs may have another fire bug on its hands with two fires near Kogan and Weranga believed to have been deliberately lit.

In August of 2023 a dozen fires were purposely lit near Tara and Wieambilla burning more than 4600ha of land, destroying 14 homes, as well as several vehicles and other structures.

In a Facebook post the Kogan & District Rural Fire Brigade said they had responded to the two blazes, which they described as “suspicious”.

A large fire burns near Kogan 6/11/24

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said about 3pm on Wednesday fire crews were called to a job at Kogan Condamine Rd, Montrose battling the blaze well into the night.

She said they currently had one aerial appliance at the scene, but the ground crews had cleared out.

It was reported that crews had left the scene at about 3am Thursday morning, leaving the fire to burn within the containment lines.

Crews were expected to return today to strengthen those containment lines.

Meanwhile about 1pm on Wednesday crews also attended a grass fire between Lewington Rd, Webb Rd and Weranga North Rd near Tara.

Ground and aerial crews battled the blaze throughout the day and conducted two hourly checks overnight.

The fire has now been contained and the perimeter was blacked out by 2.15am.

The cause of the “suspicious” blazes currently remains unknown, but fire crews are investigating.

No properties are at risk.

Originally published as Western Downs fire crews battle two ‘suspicious’ blazes