Imbil mother alerts for fire, helps save houses

A fire which burnt out hundreds of hectares near Imbil and Tuchekoi has flared and spread with terrifying ferocity fueled by weather conditions. While it remains burning, but contained, the total cost of wildlife, livestock and fences has yet to be counted.

A quick-thinking Mary Valley woman who spotted smoke rising from the yard of alongside a regional road has recalled the moment she alerted fire crews and neighbours as the flames threatened two homes.

The Tuchekoi fire along Kenilworth Skyring Creek Rd started on Saturday and continues to burn, although contained and monitored by fire crews.

It has threatened a number of homes, burnt through properties, and left a pall of smoke over the Gympie region. It is just one of multiple fires which have added to the crisis gripping parts of the Sunshine Coast and Landsborough.

An Imbil mother, who asked not to be named, said she was driving back from the Saturday markets along Kenilworth Skyring Creek Rd and was about to turn off to Imbil when she saw some tufts of smoke rising from paddocks inclining up the hill.

The fire, one of multiple which have torn through Queensland in the past week, later spread for 3km, with crews working to protect multiple properties in the area and a ‘prepare to leave’ warning issued for Imbil.

The aftermath of a fire that burnt through Tuchekoi in the Mary Valley, threatening and destroying properties along its way. Picture: Christine Schindler

When she saw the smoke, she said she pulled up in the middle of the road and started calling the local fire stations as well as 000.

She spoke to the neighbours who were moving cattle away from the flames and trying to get in contact with the owner.

She then “hooked it up their driveway” to check if anyone was home, or if there were any dogs or animals in the house.

“There were about five spot fires around this property within two minutes,” she said.

“There was just so much smoke so quickly, it was insane how quickly it happened.

“The potential of this fire would have been catastrophic.”

About 10 minutes later she said a fire marshall called her back and told her fire crews were on the way.

Watching how quickly the flames moved up the hill with the speed of the wind, the five-months pregnant mother quickly drove back to her Imbil home and grabbed buckets, hoses, and as much gear as she could carry to help out.

A fire tore through Tuchekoi in the Mary Valley between Saturday, October 28 and November 1, 2023, threatening and destroying properties along its way. Tuesday evening, October 31, 2023. Picture: Christine Schindler

When she got back, the fire crews had started to arrive. It was all hands on deck as another house further up the hill was now also under threat.

“We went to put fires out on the side of the hill as the wind was going that way to the neighbour’s place,” she said.

The fires and smoke kept getting worse, she said.

“I was gutted, absolutely gutted watching those cattle just run from the mountain,” she said.

“And then the horses were out the front going mental as well.

“Everything was just horrific, it was really the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever seen.”

The aftermath of a fire that tore through Tuchekoi in the Mary Valley threatening and destroying properties along its way. Picture: Christine Schindler

The fire was contained on Saturday afternoon but has continued to burn for the past five days affecting at least 220ha of land.

The extent of the damage to livestock or houses is yet to be confirmed, a QFES spokesperson said.

Thanks to the quick-thinking response of the Imbil mother, both houses on the hill by Kenilworth Skyring Creek Road were saved.

The fire is one of multiple fires across southeast Queensland that have broken out over the past week, tearing through bushland, destroying homes and properties.

Authorities have implemented a total fire ban for Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Cherbourg, North and South Burnett until November 6, 2023.

FIRE BAN

The ban for the Wide Bay is already in place and the ban for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Local Government Areas takes effect from Sunday.

Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been cancelled for the duration of the ban.

Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.

This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.

The ban is expected to remain in place until 2359hrs on Monday 6 November 2023.

Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the QFES website

Originally published as Imbil mother alerts for fire, helps save houses