BOMBER BATTLES BUSHFIRE

Aircraft deployed in firefighting effort

WATERBOMBING jets helped ground forces battle a bushfire which threatened properties amid dangerous conditions across the region.

The aircraft were deployed late yesterday afternoon to the Leyburn and Karara areas where residents were told to prepare to flee their homes.

The 737 aircraft did a number of missions over the fire, dropping 15,000L of water on each pass, as strong westerly winds fuelled the severe fire danger rating in the south west region.

It was a dramatic end to a busy weekend for responding Queensland Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service and volunteer brigades working tirelessly to protect properties.

Crews spent the weekend fighting blazes from as far west as Montrose, near Chinchilla, to Ma Ma Creek in the Lockyer Valley and Karara.

A total fire ban for the south west region has been extended to midnight Tuesday.

“The community needs to be mindful of the conditions and be very careful during any activities outdoors that may involve tools that can create a spark,” QFES Inspector Denis Stunden said.

“Stay abreast of the situation by listening to the updates and looking for the updates on QFES’ social media pages and website.”

Police are investigating 10 spot fires reported off Kleins Rd near Montrose believed to have been deliberately lit between midnight and 5.50am Saturday.

Investigations are also under way into a fire which destroyed a two-storey home in the town near Chinchilla about 9.45pm Friday.

Down the Range, crews fought a vegetation fire and a bulldozer was used to create a break after reports of a 40 hectare bushfire at Ma Ma Creek on Saturday.

A severe fire danger rating was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and forecaster Harry Clark said winds were expected to drop off today to about 15-20km/h, but would remain westerly meaning temperatures forecast to be about 34C.

Smoke haze is expected to linger in the region today.