Firefighters head to Qld
GEELONG firefighters have been deployed to Queensland to help its fire services battle more than 80 out-of-control fires in worsening conditions.
Thousands of north Queensland residents were urged to flee their properties in the middle of the night on Wednesday, as large wildfires closed in on communities.
A day earlier, firefighters saved the town of Gracemere, near Rockhampton, where 8000 people were forced to leave their homes.
CFA District 7 rostered duty officer Geoff McGill said Queensland Fire and Emergency Service had officially requested highly trained firefighters from this region.
Four Geelong members and other firefighters from the wider region headed to Queensland yesterday under the leadership of officer Ian Beswick.
“The crews will likely be managing a fire or a number of fires,” Mr McGill said.
He said firefighters would spend about half a day understanding local conditions before going to fight the fires.
“Barwon South West has a good capacity for incident management … the team are really good professional operators,” Mr McGill said.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Victoria was well placed to help due to the low fire risk locally.
“The fire in Queensland, particularly the one at Deepwater, are having a large impact on communities and this is challenging for community members as well as firefighters on the ground,” Mr Crisp said.
“Victorian firefighters and incident management personnel have a great depth of experience and skills and we are happy to assist where we can.”
Mr Crisp said Victoria would consider what further assistance the state could provide as more becomes known.
NSW has already provided around 100 firefighters and aircraft. Other interstate assistance will be provided.
The local firefighters are expected to be deployed for five days.