News item

Fire Activity as at 3.45pm 06.11.09

6/11/2009 3:45:16 PM

Woolooga – bush fire
Nine fire crews are in attendance at a bush fire on Wide Bay Highway at Woolooga. The fire has been burning since Wednesday night and is currently burning in grazing land. Control lines are now being established along Drays Road and fire crew are now working to contain the fire to the southern side of the Wide Bay Highway and the western side of Drays Road. An aircraft has been used to undertake reconnaissance activities and assist ground crews. No homes are under threat at this time.

Hervey Range – grass fire
Three fire crews continue to monitor a grass fire on Hervey Range Road at Hervey Range. The fire has been burning since yesterday afternoon and is currently contained. No homes are under threat.

FIRE BANS
Fire bans will remain in place for the following Local Government areas until midnight on Monday 9 November: North Burnett, Fraser Coast, South Burnett, Gympie, Cherbourg, Bundaberg, Whitsunday, Burdekin, Townsville, Charters Towers, Richmond, Mackay, Isaac, Banana, Gladstone and Rockhampton.

Fire bans in these areas may be extended again if dangerous fire conditions continue.

The Rural Fire Service has put a ban on the lighting of all fires in the above Local Government areas, including permit fires as a precaution with high, and at times extreme, conditions expected to continue.

The following exemptions apply under fire ban conditions:
• The use of gas and electric barbecues are permitted provided they are not left unattended. The use of wood fire barbecues is prohibited;
• Fires for the purpose of disposal of animal carcasses are permitted, subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the local Fire Warden;
• Fires of commercial necessity are permitted subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the Area Director Rural Operations;
• Fires for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry; and
• Fires for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash on cane production land between the hours of 1800 (6.00 pm) and 0900 (9.00 am).

Regular updated information will be provided on the QFRS Rural Operations website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by listening to your local radio station.