New Forecast Fire Danger Rating for Sunday 7 October

Sunday's Fire Danger Rating

I've just been advised that the Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow Sunday 7 October was revised substantially upward at 11.50am this morning.

The predicted Fire Danger Rating for Ipswich (and therefore likely to be the same for the Helidon Hills) is 67, which is toward the high end of the SEVERE category (50-75).  A warning is expected to be issued this afternoon.

You can find an explanation of the Fire Danger Rating categories here, along with what you can expect of fire behaviour under these circumstances and the actions you should take.

The predicted weather conditions are: max Temperature 36 degC, Relative Humidity 10%, and westerly winds.

Currently (Saturday 6 Oct at 1334h) the WeatherZone web site shows Gatton's temperature as 32.9 degC, Relative Humidity as 14%, and Fire Danger Rating as 32.8, which puts it just into the Very High category.  This not the official FDR, and there are some caveats associated with their measure of the FDR, see the site for details.  It is also worth noting that the FDR on this site varies upward and downward over short time spans.

White Holden Commodore

A white Holden Commodore has been seen in a location where several fires have been set near Gatton recently. The vehicle left at high speed when approached.

If you see such a vehicle stopped near areas of bushland without any apparent reason, or in the vicinity of a bushfire, it might be a good idea to report it to the Police.

The Fire in the Lockyer Valley National Park

QPWS advise (around 1230h today) that the fire in the western section of the Lockyer National Park, between Seventeen Mile Road and Alice Creek has been contained and they are confident it will not move out of the area.

QPWS Fire Crew Patrols

QPWS advise that in view of the high Fire Danger Ratings this weekend there will be a fire crew patrolling in the D'Aguilar Range and Lockyer areas (unless they have to be assigned to a fire).