Fireys battle tough terrain to contain massive bushfire
Photo: Graham Parker
FIREFIGHTERS will continue back-burning operations in an effort to bolster containment lines of a massive bushfire on the Southern Downs burning more than a week.
Multiple Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Rural Fire Service and volunteer brigades worked overnight on Sunday to cut containment lines at Wyberba, south of Ballandean, on the Granite Belt.
Aerial water bombers yesterday boosted the firefighting effort done on the ground which has now entered its eighth day.
QFES advised the bushfire was yesterday burning in a westerly direction through Girraween National Park, south of Pyramids Rd, producing large amounts of smoke from the NSW border to Stanthorpe.
“This smoke is particularly affecting Wallangarra, Ballandean and Eukey,” QFES advised.
“People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.
“Thick smoke is affecting the New England Highway between the New South Wales Border and Ballandean.”
Firefighters have battled tough terrain cutting fire-breaks in the national park to bring the blaze, which has destroyed more than 40,000 hectares of vegetation, under control.
Back-burning operations are expected to continue today as crews monitor the situation.
No properties were under threat last night.
Any residents concerned their properties were under threat are urged to phone 000.