Western Downs bushfire: More than 100 firefighters at the frontline as fires rage in southwest Queensland

Despite more thunderstorms predicted across the southwest region, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews are bracing for another week of fiery terror. Full update here.

It’s been a devastating week for both the Darling Downs community of Millmerran and the Western Downs community of Tara where homes and lives lost, and there’s no sign of the bushfire danger easing.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Lawlor said crews have been working tirelessly, receiving assistance from around the state.

“We ask the community to dial triple-0 very early in the piece, don’t assume that we know about the fires already burning as there are multiple fires currently burning in our region,” he said.

“We need to understand where those fires are at the earliest opportunity to be able to respond to them.”

Mr Lawlor said the safety of all crews, staff and volunteers were their top priority, with staff working continuously to ensure their well being and safety was maintained.

QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Lawler talks to media at the Regional Operations Centre at Charlton as the bushfire crisis continues, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

More than 100 crews were continuing to battle three major fires in the southwest region, including a Tara fire which has been burning since Monday.

Rural Fire Service south western regional manager Superindentent Wayne Waltisbul said more than 11,000ha have been destroyed as a result of the Tara fires on the Western Downs.

“Crews have informed me that fire is now 80 per cent contained and if plans go well today, and the weather behaves itself for us we should have it in a containment area tonight,” he said.

“That’s a significant move and great work by crews to achieve that.”

Superindentent Waltisbuhl said the 42 crews on the Western Downs have faced tough weather conditions this week, which has had a massive impact on the area that’s been burnt.

RFS Superindentent Wayne Waltisbuhl (cente) talks to media at the Regional Operations Centre at Charlton as the bushfire crisis continues, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The region has seen no reprieve with lightning strikes sparking eight fires in the Stanthorpe area just today.

With the Western Downs again victim to another fire in the past 24 hours sparked by a lightning strike at Halliford west of Dalby.

Superindentent Waltisbuhl said the Halliford fire has not yet been contained and residents of the area have been asked to leave immediately.

“We don’t see any reprieve in the weather at all and in fact, next Tuesday we’ll see another huge impact of fire weather that will put more of an impact on the current fires or even those we’re trying to get contained,” he said.

With more storms predicted around the region, Mr Waltisbuhl said crews are expecting another round of lightning sparked fires from tonight.

“While last night did calm the fire down slightly, this morning when it dried out, it was back to where it was yesterday,” he said.

Mr Waltisbuhl said the drop in temperature predicted from tomorrow might have a positive impact on firefighters, but unfortunately not on fire behaviour.

QPS Superindentent Michael Thiesfield talks to media at the QFES Regional Operations Centre at Charlton as the bushfire crisis continues, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Queensland Police Service Superintendent Michael Thiesfield said the Tara evacuation centre has transitioned to Dalby to allow further capacity.

“There’s a total of 267 evacuees, with 239 of them at Dalby and 28 at Chinchilla,” he said.

QFES currently have in place local fire bans across the Southern Downs, Western Downs, Toowoomba, Maranoa, Goondiwindi and Balonne.