NewsBite

Toowoomba region bushfire: Residents near Millmerran urged to prepare to leave by QFES

Authorities have downgraded the threat of a large bushfire in the southwest Toowoomba region but residents have been urged to stay alert.

Tom GillespieTom Gillespie
2 min read
May 13, 2023 - 10:06AM
Toowoomba Chronicle
Smoke Alarms advice for owner occupiers

The threat level of a bushfire raging in a small community southwest of Toowoomba has been lowered by authorities, but residents have still been told to stay informed on changes to the situation.

The bushfire at Forest Ridge, near Millmerran, is still burning between Rosemary Court and Basil Drive and was considered a threat to properties on Friday night.

But the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service reduced the warning level from “watch and act” at 7pm to “advice” about 11pm.

The warning said there was no threat to property at this time, but reduced air quality may cause health impacts for some people.

As of Saturday morning, three fire crews are still on the ground at Forest Ridge along with an incident controller.

Cypress Gardens resident Wendy Moline, whose property is about 3km from the area, said she was told the fire was under control.

“All we saw was a bit of smoke and nothing else, we may have seen more if we had stayed up,” she said.

“As far as we know it’s under control.”

Ms Moline said one structure could have been damaged by the fire, but the QFES could not confirm this.

People can stay informed by following QFES on Facebook and Twitter, listening to local radio stations, and checking online dashboards regularly.

If your life or property is threatened, call triple-0 immediately.

EARLIER: Locals told to ‘prepare to leave’

Residents in a small community southwest of Toowoomba have been told to prepare to leave their homes due to a large bushfire in the area.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service issued a “watch and act” warning on Friday at 7pm for the bushfire, which is moving between Thyme Avenue, the Gore Highway and Rosemary Court in Forest Ridge near Millmerran.

A staggering 15 fire crews are currently battling the blaze in a bid to get it under control.

In its warning, the QFES said properties were currently under threat and the fire was likely to impact the community in the coming hours.

“A large, slow-moving fire is travelling between Rosemary Court and Basil Drive towards Basil Drive north of the Gore Highway,” the alert said.

“Conditions could get worse quickly.

“Firefighters are working to control the fire, however you should not expect a firefighter at your door.”

Residents have been told to pack essential items such as important documents, food and water, medications, and protective clothing, and decide where they would go if they needed to leave their homes.

People can stay informed by following QFES on Facebook and Twitter, listening to local radio stations, and checking online dashboards regularly.

If your life or property is threatened, call triple-0 immediately.

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba/toowoomba-region-bushfire-residents-near-millmerran-urged-to-prepare-to-leave-by-qfes/news-story/4ecdb4fae83e1c78bb2a4d92295d103f