Fire Activity Report as at 4.15pm
23/10/2009 4:10:39 PM

FIRE BANS
Fire bans will remain in place for the following Local Government areas: Richmond; North Burnett; Sunshine Coast; Fraser Coast; South Burnett; Gympie; Cherbourg; Bundaberg; Somerset; Lockyer Valley; Ipswich City; Scenic Rim; Logan City; Gold Coast; Brisbane City; Redland City; Moreton Bay; Toowoomba; Western Downs; Southern Downs; Paroo; Balonne; Goondiwindi; Maranoa; Murweh; Palm Island; Banana; Gladstone; Rockhampton; Central Highlands; Woorabinda; Isaac; Mackay; Hinchinbrook; Townsville; Whitsunday; Charters Towers; Flinders; Richmond; and Burdekin. Fire bans have been extended until midnight Monday, 26 October and may be extended again if dangerous fire conditions continue across the State.

The Rural Fire Service has put a ban on the lighting of all fires in these areas, including permit fires as a precaution with high, and at times extreme, conditions expected to continue. The following exemptions apply under fire ban conditions:
• The use of gas and electric barbecues are permitted provided they are not left unattended. The use of wood fire barbecues is prohibited;
• Fires for the purpose of disposal of animal carcasses are permitted, subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the local Fire Warden;
• Fires of commercial necessity are permitted subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the Area Director Rural Operations;
• Fires for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry; and
• Fires for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash on cane production land between the hours of 1800 (6.00 pm) and 0900 (9.00 am).

Regular updated information will be provided on the QFRS Rural Operations website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by listening to your local radio station.

CENTRAL REGION
Mt Archer
Fifteen fire crews remain on scene at a fire burning near Norman Gardens in the Mt Archer area. The fire is currently burning within containment lines. A small breakout occurred in Rosewood Avenue earlier today and was extinguished quickly. Fire crews continue to patrol and monitor all boundaries throughout the blaze. There is no threat to property.

Dawson Highway, Calliope
One fire crew continues to monitor a blaze off the Dawson Highway at Calliope. The fire has flared up today in several locations but firefighters responded to these breakouts quickly. No homes are under threat at this time.

Else Road, Targinie
Seven fire crews are on scene at a fire on Else Road, Targinie. The fire broke out around 9.15am. The fire was initially burning in inaccessible terrain. Firefighters are now conducting backburning activities in the area. No homes are under threat at this time.

Leggetts Road, Nebo
Four rural fire crews are on scene at a fire on Leggetts Road at Nebo. The fire broke out around 12.45pm. A grader is being used to establish fire breaks in the area. No properties have been threatened by the fire.

NORTH COAST REGION
Kalpowar Road, Gaeta
Multiple fire crews remain on scene at a fire burning off Kalpowar Road at Gaeta. The blaze is currently contained within the northern, eastern and western flanks with firefighters continuing to reinforce the containment lines of the southern flank with a bulldozer and grader. Approximately 35,000 hectares has been burnt by the blaze. There is no threat to property at this time.

NORTHERN REGION
Valley Road, Paluma
Fire crews continue to monitor a fire burning off Valley Road, Paluma. The fire continues to burn in containment lines, however firefighters backburnt around two homes today as a precaution. No homes are under threat at this time.

Strathalbyn Road, Bogie (south of Bowen)
Two fire crews continue to monitor a blaze burning off Strathalbyn Road at Bogie, south of Bowen. The fire had been burning since midday on Tuesday mainly in inaccessible terrain. Around 12,000 hectares has been burnt by the fire. No homes are under threat.

Burdekin Dam Road, Mount Wyatt (south of Home Hill)
One fire crew continues to monitor a fire off Burdekin Dam Road at Mount Wyatt, south of Home Hill. The fire has been burning since Tuesday mainly in inaccessible terrain. No homes are under threat.

FAR NORTHERN REGION
Leafgold Weir Road, Dimbulah
Two rural fire crews remain at a fire off Leafgold Weir Road, Dimbulah. The fire has been burning since Wednesday afternoon. The fire has been monitored throughout the day and flared up around 1pm. The breakout was extinguished around 3.30pm by fire crews. No property was threatened by the blaze today and firefighters will continue to patrol the perimeter.



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Kingsthorpe David wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 6:56pm:


David, if you look here http://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Fire%20Ban%20Information.asp it says

Quote:


Heat Beads are not an exemption.  In my view Heat Beads are an open flame and can produce sparks therefore they should not be used.

Derek wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2009 at 7:04pm:

After rereading this, heat beads are charcoal and therefore wood, so are prohibited. 
Is that how you read it Derek?
But I still wonder if this is a "grey area" for QFRS and still think they need to be more specific.
If need be, I can cook with my Cobb with Heat Beads on the front verandah quite safely.
I might take this up with the local Fire Warden.

KD

Fire bans lifted in South West Region
27/10/2009 4:44:15 PM

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) would like to advise that fire bans will be lifted in South West Region at midnight tonight.

Rainfall within the region over the last 24 hours has allowed the bans to be removed from the local government areas of Toowoomba, Western Downs, Southern Downs, Paroo, Balonne, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Murweh.

Regional Manager of Rural Operations for South West Region, Wayne Waltisbuhl said that while the bans had been lifted it was important that people remained vigilant.

“Recent fire activity across the region has seen emergency services personnel commit ample hours to the frontline working day and night to protect lives and property,” Mr Waltisbuhl said.

“It is essential that the local community still keep their wits about them and avoid fires breaking out in the first place.”

Mr Waltisbuhl also said that it was essential that people obtained a permit to light a fire.

“A permit to light a fire is required all year round for burning off or clearing fires, where an open fire is going to be bigger than two metres in any direction,” Mr Waltisbuhl said.

“Lighting a fire without a permit is illegal and penalties apply.”

Permits are available from local Fire Wardens at no charge. Further information can be found at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au



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The State of Queensland Department of Emergency Services 2005.

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