Firefighters issue dire warning over ‘catastrophic’ fire conditions

Queensland is on high alert as exceptionally high fuel loads combined with hot temperatures, lightning storms and dry conditions trigger catastrophic fire conditions.

Southern Queensland is on catastrophic bushfire alert with 21 aircraft and firefighters across the state on standby with fears of “uncontrollable” fires breaking out.

Firefighters have already battled a grassfire at Greymare on the Southern Downs today while the Bureau of Meteorology has updated its warnings.

A catastrophic fire alert is the highest fire warning by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and is only issued in anticipation of “uncontrollable” fire.

Affected areas include the Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts, with Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego also placed under extreme fire alert.

A grassfire burning at Greymare on the Southern Downs amid catastrophic fire conditions. Picture: QFES

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services state co-ordinator Tony Johnstone said additional resources had been readied in anticipation for out-of-control burns.

“During periods of catastrophic risk, fires are hard to contain or control,” he said.

“On days like today, additional resources will actually go to fires to try and help contain them.

“We have 21 aircraft on standby today alone, firefighters are standing by at their stations as they need to.

“Potentially the fire behaviour will go to catastrophic for some time in Mangaldai and Roma.”

QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said grass fires had already started in Greymare on the Southern Downs.

“Our crews have been kept busy fighting multiple grass fires and conditions are expected to worsen today,” he wrote.

“We are prepared to respond, but the community has a role to play as well.”

Firefighters will be on high alert across huge parts of the state next week. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The Bureau says the weather conditions, combined with an “exceptionally high” fuel load will result in areas of ‘catastrophic’ fire danger.

There is also the danger of storms with little to no rain over the Darling Downs this afternoon and an “atmosphere capable of supporting large plume driven fires” during the day.

Thunderstorms began impacting Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas about 1pm Monday, dumping widespread rainfall.

Brisbane Airport and Nambour received 8mm in less than an hour, while Redcliffe and Tewantin received 1.4mm and 1.8mm respectively.

Storms continued moving offshore Monday afternoon.

A storm warning had earlier been issued for South East Queensland, after the Gold Coast and Logan were smashed with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain early Monday morning.

Further isolated storms were expected to impact areas between Brisbane and the Gold Coast however, they have not been classed as severe.

Southern Queensland is facing catastrophic fire conditions. Picture: QFES

The storms have, however, further increased fire threat in southwest parts of the state due to the potential for lightning strikes, which could ignite grass.

“Predominantly this year we have to worry about grass fires, they are wind driven, travel and develop really quickly,” Mr Johnstone said Monday morning.

“With the climate and what’s happening we could end up with dry storms this afternoon which may start a number of fires … windy and smoky conditions.”

While the Darling Downs, Granite Belt and Warrego districts were the primary focus for fire danger today, this will likely shift on Tuesday when the winds change to a south easterly direction.

Temperatures are forecast to remain high across the South East, with Brisbane facing a maximum temperature of 27C on Monday, the Sunshine Coast 26C and the Gold Coast 25C.

Catastrophic fire alert areas throughout the Darling Downs and Granite Belt will see top temperatures of 29C.

Warm weather will persist for the remainder of the week with temperatures forecast in the mid to high twenties for coastal areas, and low thirties for inland areas.

Warm, dry north-westerly winds are expected to develop over the warning areas today, with a south-westerly wind shift expected to reach the western Maranoa and Warrego district this evening.

Winds combined with exceptionally high fuel load has significantly enhanced fire risk.

Thunderstorms are expected to impact the Darling Downs and Granite Belt during Monday afternoon, creating further fire threat due to lightning strikes.

QFRS Inspector Tony Johnstone warned about the fire danger over the next week. Picture: Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services state co-ordinator Tony Johnstone on Sunday issued the catastrophic warning for areas from Mungindi to St George, in Queensland’s southwest.

Mr Johnstone said fires would spread quickly due to high grass fuel and residents needed to be aware of their surroundings, particularly those travelling through or near the area.

“Going into tomorrow (Monday) fires may be very uncontrollable and resources may actually have to stand back and let things burn until he gets to a safe place,” he said.

“To minimise that we’re actually asking people to make sure they don’t have fires going unnecessarily.”

Residents in nearby regions should also remain on high alert with catastrophic conditions creating a ripple effect extending the threat north.

“Through to Tara, you’re going to have extreme fire behaviour as well, that stretches right through to Roma,” Mr Johnstone said.

“The catastrophic is one trigger, but the extreme and higher sort of another one that has that ripple effect.

“The regions have allowed for that and we’ve got a number of resources on standby.”

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Darling Downs region that will bring little to no rainfall.

A storm over Surfers Paradise in the early hours of Monday morning. Picture: Renee Doyle/Severe Weather Australia

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau Felim Hanniffy said while the storms were largely dry air mass, they would bring increased fire risk due to potential lightning strikes.

“That could pose a risk as an addition ignition source,” he said.

“Behind the system change on Tuesday, things cool off but the fire danger remains elevated,” Mr Hanniffy said.

“Another system may move in across the south late Thursday or Friday and that could bring elevated fire dangers again.

“The northern interior and north west would be included in that danger.”

Mr Johnstone urged Queenslanders to safely move out of the way of fire trucks on the road and to slow down when driving through smoky areas.

“We need people to get out of the way of the fire appliances,” he said.

“When you see the red and blue lights, they’re actually going to fire, they need your assistance to pull over safely so those appliances can get to the job really quickly, without being obstructed.

“And if you’re coming up to smoke, don’t speed, slow down.

“It could be a firefighter or someone else actually working on the side of the road.”

Emergency aircraft have been readied for dispatch and New South Wales fire brigades notified in case they need to be called upon for help.

“This year, we’re seeing more and more grass fires escalate quickly,” Mr Johnstone said.

“We’re asking people to make sure they are well prepared and we’ve been doing that for a number of months now.

“Where the fire does start make sure they call triple-0 as soon as possible so we can get the resources.”

According to the QFES public safety map, there were 31 bushfires burning across Queensland on Monday morning however, none were in the catastrophic fire zone.

Dry weather in the state’s north are also making for testing firefighting conditions, with crews battling to prevent the spread of a fire ignited by a tractor.
In the second serious incident involving a burning farm vehicle in Hinchinbrook Shire in nine days, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service confirmed two crews from Ingham and a Rural Fire vehicle had responded to the fire on a cane farm off Pamona Road, Toobanna, north of Townsville at 10.01am.

Originally published as Firefighters issue dire warning over ‘catastrophic’ fire conditions