Qld bushfires: Second victim identified as state’s fire battle continues into weekend

Urgent “Leave Immediately” warnings have been issued across the Western Downs, forcing locals to flee with just the clothes on their backs. LATEST UPDATES

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• In pictures: Bushfire devastation

The wife of Alan Dare, who was killed in Queensland’s deadliest police shooting, says she has been forced to evacuate her Wieambilla property.

Kerry Dare told The Courier-Mail that she was evacuated to Tara about 2pm on Friday over fears the “Wains Rd fire triangle” could destroy several properties.

“There’s (a fire) at the front of my property, one at the back and one at the side,” she said.

“We thought everything had died down and that the town had been saved … if they save those places (on Wains Rd) it would be a miracle.

“I didn’t want to leave, even if I burned.”

Fire towering over Kerry Dare's property.

Fire damage near Tara. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mrs Dare said she had spent the last five days questioning whether to stay in Wieambilla but that on Friday emergency services told her to evacuate “immediately”.

“The fires are all around me, all around my property,” she said.

Mrs Dare purchased the Wains Rd property in October of 2003.

Mrs Dare posted a photo of flames towering over her property on Tuesday.

It is understood “wind changes” in the last 24 hours, sparked the emergency evacuation.

Residents in Wieambilla, Tara and Moonie in the Western Downs have been told to “leave immediately” as bushfires continue to rage through the area.

More than 60 fires continue to burn across Queensland, ranging as far north as Mareeba all the way to the Western and Darling Downs region.

Multiple emergency warnings have been issued by Queensland’s Fire and Emergency Service with fires in the Tara and Wieambilla region destroying 32 properties and claiming two lives.

As of Friday night, Tara and Wieambilla remain on high alert with QFES issuing a leave immediately emergency warning. The fire, which is being fanned by wild winds, remains uncontained.

An emergency warning for Halliford, near Dalby, has been upgraded to “leave immediately” as a large, fast moving fire threatens lives near the Moonie Highway.

QFES have also issued a leave immediately warning for Shellytop Rd Durong, near Kingaroy, as an “out-of-control” bushfire burns near Chinchilla Wondai Rd.

The original Millmerran fire which threatened homes and lives is now contained and QPS are now in the process of closing the evacuation centre in the area.

Fires around Mt Isa, primarily the Breakaway and Gunpowder townships, are now under control with residents warned to avoid smoke in the area and stay informed about changing conditions.

Widow Kerry Dare with a Posthumous Bravery Medal for her late husband, Alan Dare.

Alan Dare died in a shooting at Wieambilla along with two police officers

In Mackay, the Bruce Highway was blocked in both directions as fire crews battled separate blazes at Farleigh.

A fire in the Carnarvon region has burned through roughly 2,000 hectares of bushland with QFES urging residents to prepare to leave.

Addressing the media on Friday, acting commissioner Peter Hollier urged residents to not wait until they saw smoke to fireproof their homes.

“These are large unpredictable fires that are moving incredibly fast, make sure you are prepared and have a plan if a fire threatens your life,” he said.

A fire burns in the Western Downs. Picture: Liam Kidston

Earlier on Friday, residents in the vicinity of a bushfire burning near Mount Isa were told to ‘leave immediately’, with QFES issuing an alert just before 5am for people around Lake Moondarra Rd, Barramundi Way, The Junction and the tracks and parks around Lake Moondarra.

At 12.30pm it was downgraded to a “watch and act” warning.

Lake Moondarra provides water to Mount Isa and is a popular recreation spot.

There was also a “prepare to leave” for Breakaway, near Mount Isa.

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QFES also issued a “prepare to leave” warning for Carnarvon Gorge, Buckland and Rewan just before 10am.

These warnings come as a woman whose body was found in the fire-stricken Western Downs region has been identified as NSW great grandmother Glenda Chapman.

The 73-year-old, who had been visiting relatives in the Tara region, is believed to have suffered a heart attack while attempting to evacuate.

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Her son Brett Coleman told The Courier-Mail on Thursday night that he did not know when he would be able to bring his mother’s body home, as investigations continued.

“She has been there a month, visiting family, she was there for a holiday and she dropped to the ground,” he said.

“She was a great grandmother of two beautiful girls and a grandmother of 10.

“She was my mum, she looked after her kids, she was funny, we were very very close.

“My mother is stuck and I can’t get her back; we all want her back.”

Police confirmed Mrs Chapman had suffered a medical episode and her death was not related to the bushfires.

Earlier, another victim was identified as Ulrich Widawski, who was understood to have been reported missing by family as fires engulfed properties on the Western Downs.

Glenda Chapman suffered a medical episode while evacuating a fire in the Tara region.

Residents around some parts of the Western Downs were able to return to their homes on Friday morning, as more fire crews are deployed to the area to help exhausted volunteers.

A “return with caution” advice was issued by QFES for parts of Wieambilla and Goranba earlier this morning but residents north of Josephs Rd near Tara will have to wait a few more days before they can go back to their properties.

Fire crews had contained the southern side of the fire near Tara, and partially contained another fire at Halliford which sparked up on Wednesday.

The fires have claimed 32 homes and 17 sheds around Tara. No properties were damaged in the Halliford blaze.

Inspector Ross Stacey said better conditions were expected on Friday to help crews manage the northern side of the Tara fire, where a “prepare to leave” warning was still enacted.

“Crews still experiencing difficulty on the northern side of the Tara fire,” he said.

“Conditions we got today are going to be probably a little bit more favourable for us, it’s a bit cooler, and the wind is going back onto the fire.

“So we will try and take advantage that where we can.”

Fire damage near Tara. Picture: Liam Kidston

Inspector Stacey said more than 50 extra crews were arriving in the area today to help exhausted fireys.

There were also more than 100 Ergon workers on the ground trying to restore power.

“We’ve got over 70 firefighting resources out there, a mixture of aircraft and crews.

“We’ve got a number of resources that are coming in from intrastate, and interstate deployments being arranged as we speak.

“There are a number of local crews who have just been going at it. Whilst this is a big fire, this has been a year of fire for them and it hasn’t stopped.

“Any assistance we can get definitely gives them some sense of relief and a little bit of chance to have a spell.”

Fire on Halliford Road west of Dalby.

Inspector Stacey said there had not been any more fatalities recorded on fire ground, but crews were on alert.

“There are rapid damage processes that they’re going through inspecting properties. And we remain vigilant to be what may be in those areas.”

Fire Inspector Ross Stacey yesterday said storms on Wednesday night had caused fires from Dalby to Miles.

There were 23 warnings throughout Queensland, most in the Western Downs including the small community of Halliford, where a large fire erupted after a dry lightning strike.

The fire flared up further on Thursday morning and intensified as the hot and dry conditions continued, forcing an emergency evacuation of locals. Strong winds in the area moved the fire quickly along Halliford Rd, leaping from treetop to treetop about 9am.

Rural Fire Service volunteer Craig Young was one of many firefighters working in the area on Thursday morning who did not expect conditions to improve.

“We are just patrolling up here, trying to keep that fire contained on the southern side of that break,” he said. “It is moving fast; fortunately the wind has a lot of west in it.”

A “leave immediately” warning was still in place on Thursday night.

Despite extensive efforts and relentless work from aerial assets water bombing the blaze, the fire moved quickly along Halliford Rd and caused spot fires before reaching a strong break.

Residents piled their cars up with belongings and left in a convoy when the emergency warning was issued, many with dogs and children in the back seat.

Firefighters moved door to door on some properties, getting out people who initially refused to leave.

… and waterbombing the fire. Pictures: Liam Kidston

Kate Brown manages the property where the fire sparked on Wednesday night.

“Last night about 8.30pm one of the neighbours rang to tell my husband that there’s been a fire started by a lightning strike; we were currently camped out at another property,” she said.

“It was going last night, and it died off this morning, but it has significantly got going now purely because of the debris and the dry conditions.”

Ms Brown’s husband ­Matthew was working with firefighters, helping them on a dozer and with local land knowledge.

Ms Brown and her daughter Lucy were waiting to hear from him in a safe area north of the fire.

“I come over to see if my husband is all right and apparently he’s on a dozer out there on the fire line,” she said.

“I got halfway down the road but the fire was too intense, I had to turn around and come back.

“It was in the treetops, just literally jumping from treetop to treetop.

“I’m a little bit anxious … but everyone’s safe, that’s the main concern is that everyone stays safe and gets out of it.”

Matthew Brown at the fire on Halliford Rd, west of Dalby. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Brown said he felt he needed to help and had been working closely with crews.

“I know the land, backhand information and it’s really good to help them, all the volunteers,” he said. “You got to hook in and do what you can to help everyone.”

Assistant Fire Commissioner Peter Hollier said the fight was still on to contain the Tara fire, but hoped conditions would ease on the weekend.

“I can confirm that the Tara fire is still yet to be contained, but fire crews are working to keep the fire in newly drawn containment boundaries and hopefully tonight’s weather will aid in that,” he said.

“Moving into tomorrow the weather is looking more favourable but there will still be extreme fire dangers in the western parts of the state.”

The Queensland Premier arrived on the Western Downs on Friday to “see first-hand” the extreme conditions as hundreds of firefighters prepare for a weekend of battling multiple firestorms on a scale not seen in 40 years.

Flanked by Police Minister Mark Ryan and Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh at the Dalby fire station, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced more fire crews would be added to the hundreds already fighting ongoing infernos across the southwest region as well plans to deploy a large air tanker from Bundaberg to combat the fires.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Minister Mark Ryan visit Dalby on Friday afternoon in the wake of deadly bushfires that have destroyed more than a dozen homes across the Western Downs.

“Our firefighters are exhausted and we will help manage fatigue,” she said.

“The Western Downs has been through so much over such a substantial period of time.

“Some people have lost everything and some are going through very emotional times. It’s a big credit to what Queenslanders go through and how they can get through just about anything.”

The Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services thanked the crews on the ground for working in such intense conditions.

“We’ve been here for just the last couple hours and the wind has picked up intensity, you can see how tough it will be for our firefighters on the frontline to defend the environment and properties,” Mr Ryan said.

“It’s very dry out there, there’s a strong win, and it’s a difficult situation.”

He said there were people on the ground assessing the situation to see what was required so they could assist in support and relief of those impacted.

Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said there were 120 bushfires ongoing across the state.

“(Firefighters) are super resilient but they are getting tired,” he said.

“We will bring in several specialist aircraft as we know this is a critical part in our firefighting efforts.

“This will be a marathon with several sprints in between.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has called on Queenslanders to support residents in the Western Downs as they continue to navigate “tragedy after tragedy”.

“That community has really, really been through so much over the last year,” he said in a video, posted to social media.

“Tragedy after tragedy and they are resilient but boy oh boy are they getting tested at the moment.

Fire damage near Tara. Picture: Liam Kidston

“And as a state we have to do all that we can to let every body in the Western Downs area know that we’ve got their back and that we will be there for them in the weeks, months and years ahead.

“This rebuild is going to take a lot.”

Several fundraisers have been launched for devastated Western Downs residents whose properties have been wiped out by bushfires.

Johann Lottering started a GoFundMe for Marietta Lottering who “lost everything”.

“This GoFundMe is for my parents who just lost everything,” Mr Lottering wrote.

“The recent (current) bushfires in Tara have absolutely devastated my parents property and house … All their belongings (are) gone.

“My father, who was at the property, managed to escape with their two dogs and the clothes on his back.

“Unfortunately they do not have insurance due to the current economy.

Fire damage near Tara. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Please spare any amount of money you can for immediate help with accommodation, food and clothing.”

While another fundraiser has been launched by Georgia Larchie for his “dear friend Jean & John” who had “almost all of their property destroyed by the fires surrounding Tara on (Tuesday)”.

“Jean is a full time caregiver to Johnny, who has an intellectual disability while also having her own health issues,” Mr Larchie wrote.

“The fire has destroyed all of the appliances, solar panels, generators and all personal items.

“As we know Jean has worked very hard on her property to have a special place for her and Johnny so any help, no matter how small, would be appreciated.”

UPDATED: Bushfire devastation in photos

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Fire bans: What you need to know

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 suspended 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.

There are 53 out of 77 local government areas with a current total fire ban, covering 69 per cent of the state.

The below LGAs have active bans until Friday October 27 at 11:59pm

Maranoa Regional

McKinlay Shire

Toowoomba Regional

Balonne Shire

Cloncurry Shire

Southern Downs Regional

Diamantina Shire

Mt Isa City

Western Downs Regional

Boulia Shire

Goondiwindi Regional

Carpentaria Shire

Burke Shire

The below LGAs have active bans until Saturday October 28 at 11:59pm

Richmond Shire

Flinders Shire

Charters Towers Regional

The below LGAs have active bans until Monday October 30 at 11:59pm

Cook Shire

Bundaberg Regional

North Burnett Regional

Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire

Cassowary Coast Regional

Croydon Shire

Torres Shire

Douglas Shire

Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Shire

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire

Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire

Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire

Torres Strait Island Regional

Weipa Town

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire

Mareeba Shire

Napranum Aboriginal Shire

Gympie Regional

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire

Tablelands Regional

South Burnett Regional

Aurukun Shire

Mapoon Aboriginal Shire

Etheridge Shire

Cairns Regional

Fraser Coast Regional

The below LGAs have active bans until Wednesday November 1 at 11:59pm

Blackall Tambo Regional

Barcaldine Regional

Winton Shire

Banana Shire

Whitsunday Regional

Rockhampton Regional

Longreach Regional

Barcoo Shire

Mackay Regional

Livingstone Regional

Gladstone Regional

Isaac Regional

Central Highlands Regional

What to do in the path of a bushfire

– If you have a bushfire survival plan, follow it now.

– Prepare now so you can leave quickly if the bushfire gets close:

– Decide where you and the people you live with will go. This could be with family or a friend away from the fire. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you will go.

– Charge mobile phones and power banks.

– Be ready to take your pets, pet food, pet lead or crate/carrier.

– Pack a bag with a mobile phone charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like ID, insurance papers, passports and photos), medicine, cash and keys.

– If you do not drive, call your support service, a family member or a friend to organise transport if you need to leave or want to leave.

– If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.

– Keep medications close by.

– Move flammable items away from your house if you can.

– Help others if it’s safe to do so.

– Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.

Originally published as Qld bushfires: Second victim identified as state’s fire battle continues into weekend