Blazes a warning of more to come

QUEENSLAND fire crews are battling raging bushfires in the most devastating start to the fire season in the state’s recorded history as authorities warn it is an omen of things to come.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services predictive services inspector Andrew Sturgess says the fire danger weather has never been as severe so early in spring.

In 130 years of records, about 40 houses have been lost, he said. Since Thursday, more than 20 structures – including 15 houses – have been destroyed, with that number expected to rise.

“So this is an omen, if you will, a warning of the fire season that we are likely to see in southeastern parts of the state where most of the population is,” he said yesterday.

Acting Premier Jackie Trad said the fires overnight also claimed a piece of Queensland’s history in the Gold Coast hinterland.

“Unfortunately overnight the Binna Burra Lodge, which has been part of the tourism landscape since 1933, has succumbed to devastation by the fires,” she said. “We are concerned with several areas, including Central Queensland, but we have firefighters working throughout today and throughout the night.

“There were 57 bushfires burning in the state yesterday morning. The two worst are an out-of-control blaze near the border towns of Applethorpe and Stanthorpe, and the bushfire in difficult terrain near Binna Burra in the Scenic Rim.”

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen warned it is still too dangerous for many to return to their homes because they risk being trapped by falling trees and other hazards. The fire has already destroyed 11 homes that they know about. “The reality is we should expect significant structural loss (and) that has

THIS IS AN OMEN, IF YOU WILL, A WARNING OF THE FIRE SEASON THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE IN SOUTHEASTERN PARTS ANDREW STURGESS

already occurred, and potentially much more loss.”

Water bombing is helping the firefighting efforts at the fire near Binna Burra.

In Stanthorpe people are bracing for another long day and night. Many Stanthorpe and Applethorpe residents were evacuated from the path of the bushfire there on Friday, and people in Applethorpe evacuated again on Saturday.

QFES assistant commissioner Megan Stiffler told them on Saturday they would not have the fire under control until at least for a few days.

“We have days ahead of us and lots of hard work through the night to secure all edges of this fire,” she said.