Rolling coverage: School closed, warnings for Glen Rock fire
RESIDENTS in Grandchester and Laidley have been warned to stay alert with crews monitoring the area for fires.
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UPDATE 8.04am LEFT HAND BRANCH, THORNTON, MULGOWIE, TOWNSEN: Residents in Lefthand Branch, Thornton, Townson and Mulgowie have been issued a stay alert message from firefighters.
As of 7.45am,, a bushfire is burning in the vicinity of Mulgowie Road, Cole Gully Road and Lefthand Branch Road.
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze. 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. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
UPDATE 6.50AM: RESIDENTS in Grandchester and Laidley have been warned to stay alert with crews monitoring the area near Railway and Coates St, Mountain and Kesslings roads and Range Crescent and Old Grandchester Rd.
There is no active fire, however smouldering logs may produce smoke in the area.
There is no threat to property at this time. Residents should close windows and doors, and keep respiratory medications close by if required.
Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions. If you feel your property is under threat, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Thornton State School closed today due to bushfire threat
EDUCATION Minister Grace Grace has announced that Thornton State School, south of Laidley, will close today (Wednesday, October 9, 2019) due to ongoing bushfire threats.
"Our number one priority will always be the safety of students, staff and their families," Ms Grace said.
"We are continuing to liaise with emergency services personnel about this dynamic situation and while the decision to close a school is never taken lightly, we will close further facilities if necessary for the safety of our communities."
The most up-to-date information on Queensland state school closures can be found at https://closures.det.qld.gov.au/.
Ms Grace said the community should continue to act with safety first in mind.
"I strongly encourage everybody to tune into their local ABC radio service for updates on bushfires, and follow all advice from emergency services in your area," she said.
Further information about current weather conditions can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au and updates on local conditions on QFES social media accounts.
UPDATE 9PM: RESIDENTS in Laidley have been told they can return to their homes with the fire threat easing.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council says authorities advised residents who had taken refuge in the Laidley evacuation centre they could return to their properties this evening.
Fires are still active in the area and residents should be aware.
UPDATE: 8.06pm - LAIDLEY, GLEN ROCK: More than 85 firefighting crews will battle two difficult blazes in the Lockyer Valley overnight as winds pick up across the region.
Residents have been evacuated to the Laidley Cultural Centre as fires which originally started in Glen Rock National Park and another in Laidley threatened homes.
UPDATE: 7.00PM - GRANDCHESTER, LAIDLEY: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises there is a bushfire in Grandchester and Laidley and conditions could get worse.
You need to be ready to follow your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly.
Currently as at 6.55pm Tuesday 8 October a large slow-moving bushfire is burning to the west of Mountain Road, Kesslings Road, Range Crescent and Old Grandchester Road travelling in an easterly direction towards Bushe Hill, near Range Crescent.
Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Residents of Ryan Road, Range Crescent, Kessling Drive, Mountain Road, Clearidge Court, Buhse Court, Old Grandchester Road who have left the area should not return.
An evacuation centre has been opened at Laidley Cultural Centre, 3 Laidley Plainland Road.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe your property is under threat.
UPDATE: 6.56 pm - LAIDLEY: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises there is a bushfire in Laidley, and the service has been downgraded.
Residents need to keep up to date and decide what actions they will take if the situation changes.
Currently as at 6.50pm Tuesday, October 8, a bushfire is burning near Railway Street and Coates Street moving in an easterly direction towards Buhse Hill, near Range Crescent.
This fire has been contained and crews will continue to monitor the area into the evening.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Residents who had left the areas of Douglas McInnes Drive, Railway Street, Ward Court, Wilson Court, Tyrrell Court, Storr Street, Leonard Street, Edward Street and Coates Street can return to their homes.
Properties are not under direct threat at this time. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
UPDATE 6.42PM - MULGOWIE, THORNTON, TOWNSEN, LEFT HAND BRANCH: ,QFES has issued a prepare to leave advice for Thornton, Townsen, Mulgowie and Left Hand Branch.
A large fire is burning in an easterly direction near Mulgowie Road, Cole Gully Road and Lefthand Branch Road. The fire is likely to impact properties along Mulgowie Road, Cole Gully Road and Lefthand Branch Road.
Fire crews will be working in the area overnight, but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe your property is under threat.
UPDATE: 6.09pm - LAIDLEY: Embers from burning trees and flashing blue and red fire truck lights dot the edge of the Laidley township this evening, as crews continue to battle a fire in dangerous conditions.
According to the rural fire service site, more than 77 firefighting crews are working to contain two blazes, one at Laidley, the second at Thornton.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said Laidley crews were working to contain the astern side of the fire to the west of Range Road.
They said multiple fires were alight on the eastern side of the railway line.
Aerial footage showed at least on home has been lost.
However, the QFES could not confirm how many, if any, properties had been lost.
"The focus at the moment is protecting life and property," the spokesperson said.
"Damage assessments will take place later."
Water bombing helicopters had been assisting ground crews, however air operations ceased at 5.30pm.
The Thornton fire continues to burn out of control.
West Moreton chief fire warden and area director Paul Storrs said 11 water bombers attacked the blaze today.
UPDATE: 3.55PM LAIDLEY: Police have declared an emergency situation at Laidley this afternoon due to a developing bush fire threat.
The declaration of an emergency situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act was made just before 3pm.
The declared zone is bounded by Railway Street, Drayton Road, Rosewood-Laidley Road, Old Grandchester Road, Range Crescent, Patrick Street and Vaux Street.
Water bombing helicopters are continuing to assist ground crews in an attempt to control the bushfire at Laidley.
Winds have picked up and are fanning the flames - covering the own in a thick blanket of smoke.
31 fire crews are presently on scene battling the blaze.
READ MORE: Home lost in Laidley fire
If you are in the area, leave immediately if it is safe to do so. If you are outside the area, do not try and enter.
Emergency services remain scene.
UPDATE 3.34PM - GRANDCHESTER, LAIDLEY: A large, unpredictable fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Grandchester. It is expected to impact Ryan Road, Range Crescent, Kessling Drive, Mountain Road, Clearidge Court, Buhse Court, Old Grandchester Road, Laidley imminently.
The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing.
The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path.
Fire crews may not be able to protect your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door: act now.
Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
An evacuation centre remains open at the Laidley Cultural Centre at 3 Laidley Plainland Road, Laidley North.
UPDATE: 2.58PM - LAIDLEY: A severe and fast-moving fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Douglas McInnes Drive, Railway Street, Ward Court, Wilson Court, Tyrrell Court, Storr Street, Leonard Street, Edward Street and Coates Street.
The fire is expected to have a life-threatening impact on the community.
Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters are unable to prevent the fire advancing. QFES advises is is too late to leave the area and driving would be extremely dangerous.
The fire poses a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door: act now. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.
UPDATE 2.46PM: A dangerous fire is travelling in an easterly direction from the Glen Rock National Park towards Mulgowie Road, Townson.
It is expected to impact Mulgowie Road, Townson. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
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EARLIER 2.30pm: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises there is a bushfire approaching Thornton. Leaving immediately is the safest option, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
Follow your bushfire survival plan now.
If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so. If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.
Currently as at 1.40pm, a dangerous fire is travelling in a northerly direction from the Glen Rock National Park towards Main Camp Creek Road, Thornton.
It is expected to impact Main Camp Creek Road. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
Anyone in the area should evacuate in a northerly direction via Mulgowie Road.
An evacuation centre has been set-up at the Laidley Cultural Centre on the northern side of the Laidley township at 3 Laidley Plainland Road, Laidley North.
Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing. The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door: act now.
Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.
2PM UPDATE: As of 2pm, a bushfire is travelling from Taylor Road, Townson, in a north-easterly direction towards Mulgowie, Merryvale and Rosevale.
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. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.
EARLIER: Firefighters have told Thornton residents to leave immediately, as a bushfire threatens their homes.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises there is a bushfire approaching Thornton.
Leaving immediately is the safest option, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
Follow your bushfire survival plan now.
If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so. If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.
As oft 11.50am Tuesday, October 8, a dangerous fire is travelling in a northerly direction from the Glen Rock National Park towards Main Camp Creek Road, Thornton.
It is expected to impact Main Camp Creek Road. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
Anyone in the area should evacuate in a northerly direction via Main Camp Creek Road.
Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing. The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door: act now.
Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.
People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you are under threat.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
. Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates.
. Put on protective clothing (e.g., a long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots with thick soles).
. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by.
If you are leaving:
. Secure your pets for safe transport.
. Check for road closures and then advise family and friends of your intended travel route.
. Take your important documents and essential items (e.g., passports, birth certificates, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing) when you leave.
. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions.
If you are unable to leave:
. Bring pets inside; restrain them with a leash, a cage, or inside a secure room; and provide them with plenty of water.
. Fill containers such as your bath, sinks, and buckets with water so you have access to drinking water and firefighting water.
. Close windows and doors, sealing the gaps under doors and screens with wet towels to keep smoke out of the house.
. Identify a safe spot to shelter in, which would be a place with more than one exit, preferably inside a brick building, away from windows and doors. The safest spot is the place that will keep you furthest away from the intense heat from the fire. As the fire approaches and passes, the safest spot will change, so be ready to move.
KEEP UP TO DATE BY:
. Following QFES on Facebook (@QldFireandRescueService) and Twitter (@QldFES)
. Staying tuned to your local radio station. Find your local ABC radio station at https://radio.abc.net.au/help/offline and your local commercial radio station at http://www.commercialradio.com.au/find-a-station/queensland;
. Visiting the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map
FURTHER INFORMATION:
. For bushfire preparation tips, visit the RFS website: www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety
. For information about road closures, call 13 19 40 or visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
The next update will be provided by 1.50pm or if the situation changes.
Originally published as Rolling coverage: School closed, warnings for Glen Rock fire
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