Fire Ban in the Toowoomba Local Government area

The Fire Ban runs until at least 11.49pm on Wednesday 25 September.

Under a local fire ban, all open fires are prohibited and "all permits to light a fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban".

We suggest that residents in the Lockyer Valley Regional Council area with permits to burn should consider carefully whether lighting up is appropriate or necessary at this time.

Fire Ban in the Lockyer Valley Region

 There is a fire ban in place in the Lockyer Valley Region until 11.59pm on Thursday 2 November.

When fire bans are in place either as a local Fire Ban or during a State of Fire Emergency:

• The lighting of fires in the declared fire ban areas are prohibited subject to any special conditions or exemptions

• All open fires are prohibited

• All Permits to Light Fire issued in the designated area are cancelled.

 

The ban is in place across almost all of Queensland apart from parts of Brisbane and areas in the far south-west corner (https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/fire-bans-and-restrictions

Wallers Road Fire - Thursday morning 24 November

Late yesterday the Wallers Road fire was burning on only one front.  It had been stopped to the south and at Wallers Road and the only front still burning was to the north where it is entering a steep and deep gully.

This morning, seen from 4km away, there is only a very small amount of rising smoke from the fire area, significantly less than yesterday evening.

A break line has been put in, extending west from Wallers Road along the top of a ridge further north and that should contain the last fire front.

 

If you are a landowner in the Helidon Hills area and would like to receive updates on fires please contact smokespotters@gmail.com

Wallers Road Fire - third day Wednesday 23 November

 Good afternoon

The fire is in the Seventeen Mile locality, in the Lockyer National Park, between the northern part of Sandy Creek Road and Wallers Road. The localities of Rignwood and Vinegar Hill lie on the other (eastern) side of Wallers Road.

It has been burning since at least the afternoon of 21 November and until some time last night was being driven along by strong southwesterly winds and the steep slope up to Wallers Road.

There has been little or no wind so far today and there is now almost no rising smoke, certainly no columns, but still a lot of smoke in the area.

A bulldozer is currently tidying up the local firebreak in the Vinegar Hill area, which stood up rather well to the heavy rain and floods in February and May.

I will put out another update when I hear whether or not the fire has crossed Wallers Road.

Wallers Road Fire - second day Tuesday 22 November

We have just heard that as of around 2pm this afternoon the fire was still to the west of Wallers Road.

This is very good news as it means Wallers Road is a good accessible fire line for fighting the fire.  Let's hope that it is still to the west of the road when it cools down this evening and the fire may reduce enough for crews to get in and tackle it.

Two helicopter water bombers have been flying continuously for a few hours, flying out to replenish their water somewhere to the east.

The Helidon Hills Smokespotter group will continue to post here for the duration of this fire, so as to make any updates we get available to the widest possible range of local people.

If you have any updates on the situation please send to smokespotters@gmail.com

 The general purposes of this blog

The main purpose of the Helidon Hills Smokespotters blog is to provide a location where landowners can find key information relating to fire danger, fire weather (see relevant tabs above), and announcements regarding restrictions on fire in the Helidon Hills.

There is also information about the history and functions of the Smokespotter group - see relevant tabs above.

We do not post on this blog unless there is something important that people who are not on one of our mailing lists need to know.

Our mailing lists cover: enrolled smokespotters; people involved in fire fighting or the management of fire response, including staff of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Disaster Response unit; Fire Wardens in our area of coverage who have asked to be on that mailing list; and landowners in the area of coverage who want to receive information that will  inform them about matters such as the source of smoke they are seeing, or about developing situations when the is a major fire.

Landowners in the Helidon Hills and Ravensbourne (not technically our area of coverage, but we try to include that area where possible) can email one of the Coordinators and ask to be on the Landowners Mailing List.  

Individual Fire Wardens can ask to be included on that list.

Staff in relevant positions can ask to be on the Fire & QPWS & LVRC list and may be added after checking with their organisation.

If you find any broken links in this website please contact smokespotters@gmail.com

State of Fire Emergency Declared in Lockyer Valley Regional Council Area and 41 other Local Government Areas

please see the Declaration below, which was published here

Key Message in the Declaration:

• The declaration overrides all existing permits to light fire, banned fireworks and the lighting of any outdoor cooking fires.
• The declaration also prohibits welding, grinding and the use of oxy acetylene cutting or heating outdoors.
• The use of the machinery and power tools in open areas has the potential to exacerbate the bushfire risk, which is why it is essential people do not use these tools outdoors.

Click on the Fire Danger and Weather tab above for access to the latest information on local Fire Danger ratings, weather forecasts and current weather conditions.

 

State of Fire Emergency declared

9th November 2019 3:41 PM

 

Effective 5pm, Saturday 9 November 2019

A State of Fire Emergency has been declared across 42 Local Government Areas in Queensland, following a period of significantly heightened fire weather conditions expected to continue into next week.

The State of Fire Emergency prohibits the lighting of all types of outdoor fires, and bans certain activities that can cause fires to ignite.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said fire crews were battling multiple blazes and all possible steps had to be taken to prevent further fires igniting.

“We’re experiencing tinder box-like conditions across much of the state and all it takes is one spark to start a fire that may burn for days,” Mr Wassing said.

“This declaration is vital to prevent bushfires breaking out and posing a danger to lives and property.”

Mr Wassing said the declaration overrode all existing permits to light fire, banned fireworks and the lighting of any outdoor cooking fires.

“The declaration also prohibits welding, grinding and the use of oxy acetylene cutting or heating outdoors,” he said.

“The use of the machinery and power tools in open areas has the potential to exacerbate the bushfire risk, which is why it is essential people do not use these tools outdoors.

“The declaration also gives QFES the authority to draw on private resources, such as plant and equipment, to assist in firefighting or preparation.”
Mr Wassing said substantial penalties could be issued to those who breached the declaration.

“The penalties for contravening this declaration are serious – a fine of up to $3,336 or two years imprisonment,” he said.

“Our crews are doing a fantastic job protecting lives and property, and we ask that Queenslanders continue to do their part to prevent fires starting and spreading.”

Mr Wassing urged Queenslanders to remain vigilant and continue to follow the advice of authorities.

“Everyone should have a bushfire survival plan and know what they are going to do if a fire approaches,” he said.

“People need to keep up-to-date on the QFES website and social media channels, and tune into local radio.

“It is important they follow the advice given and don’t leave it too late to evacuate if they need to.

“Bushfire prevention is a community effort, so it is essential people report fires and to Triple Zero (000) immediately.”

The declaration will be in effect until revoked.

Local Government Areas included in State of Fire Emergency:
QFES South Eastern Region
LGAs Included:
• Gold Coast City
• Ipswich City
• Lockyer Valley Regional
• Logan City
• Scenic Rim Regional
• Somerset Regional