RFS crews worked through the night to contain Wieambilla grass fire

Investigators believe a massive blaze which has destroyed 1000 hectares of land in Wieambilla was deliberately lit as 50 Rural Fire Service crews battle to contain the fire near the scene of December’s horrific police shootings.

Fire and police investigators believe the Wieambilla blaze which has destroyed more than 1000 hectares of land was deliberately lit and could be linked to previous suspected arson attacks in the area.

Queensland Rural Fire Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said multiple fires were lit along Kogan-Condamine Rd, Marys Rd and Old Tara Rd between 10pm on Sunday and 3am on Monday.

“Fires just don’t start on their own and the multiple fires lit just off the road indicate they were deliberately lit,” he said.

A large scale effort is under way to contain two fast-moving grass fires west of Kogan. One is on Kogan Condamine Road, the other in in Wieambilla.

About 17 Rural Fire Service crews were called in to contain the fires and worked through the night to protect a number homes and farms.

“As daylight came out we quickly got some air observations up and we determined it was a large area of grassland and bush land on fire,” Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.

“We have now moved multiple resources into those areas and established four command divisions, with control staff, earth moving machinery and aircraft doing water bombing.”

As of 1pm on Monday an estimated 50 RFS volunteers were working to contain the fire ground, backed up by four water bombers and two observation aircraft.

Extra resources are en route from Southeast Queensland, along with a strike team drawn from the Sunshine Coast and Gympie areas.

Wayne Waltisbuhl, Superintendent RFS South Western Region. Monday, January 30, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Superintendent Waltisbuhl warned residents to be on alert as it was unlikely the crews would have the fires contained by the end of the day.

“These fires will not go out today and we are going to have a lot of trouble containing them,” he said.

“Some of the fires are in very heavily fuel-loaded grassland areas, the fires are travelling very fast through those areas and we are trying to get graders around them and get water bombers to slow them down.”

The emergency services were preparing for a long week ahead with a high fire danger forecast for much of the Darling Downs and Maranoa areas.

There was the possibility that the fires may impact the Kogan township if the wind pushed them that way.

A large scale effort is under way to contain multple fast-moving grass fires west of Kogan.

“There are multiple properties within the fire zone,” Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.

“We have not had a chance to count them up.

“We have a message to the community for support, please be vigilant, if you are working around properties and you are using machinery that may cause sparks, please have extinguishing methods with you so that you can put out any fire that starts.

“Listen to our warnings and the message we are putting out and react to them.”

This is the third major fire incident in the area since two police officers, constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and a civilian, Alan Dare were gunned down by Gareth and Nathaniel Train, and Gareth’s wife, Stacey Train on their Wains Rd property on December 12.

Police and fire fighters believe most of these outbreaks were deliberately started and anyone with information about the arson should contact police.

What you should do:

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

– Decide where you and other members of your home (including pets) will go if you need to leave. Plan how you will get there and advise family and friends of your plans.

– Pack essential items such as important documents, food and water, medications, and protective clothing.

– Stay hydrated.

– Avoid smoke – stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid driving through smoke where possible.

– Move flammable items away from your house.

– Fill containers with water for drinking and firefighting.

– Help others prepare for the fire.

– Be aware of firefighters working in the area.

– Stay informed:

– Follow QFES on Facebook and Twitter.

– Listen to your local radio station

– Check the QFES current bushfires dashboard regularly

– If your life or property is threatened, call Triple-0 (000) immediately.