Qld: Fires across Queensland flare again

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2004
Qld: Fires across Queensland flare again

By Chris Herde and John Sheed

BRISBANE, Aug 5 AAP - Firefighters battled blazes from central Queensland to Brisbane
today, including one which approached the Comalco refinery near Gladstone.

Dry conditions and wild winds fanned a number of fires after crews overnight gained
control of outbreaks in south-east Queensland.

A house was damaged by a blaze at Calamvale in Brisbane's south today, while homes
were under threat west of Ipswich and near Caboolture, north of Brisbane.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said a fire fanned by strong winds
approached the Comalco refinery at Gladstone.

But controlled burns in the area ensured no damage to property.

Fire crews are expected to remain at the site throughout the night.

Yesterday a Sunshine Coast high school and an aquatic centre were evacuated after a
dying bushfire was reignited near Sunrise Beach and a fire swept through the southern
side of the Minden Range at Hatton Vale, west of Brisbane.

Queensland Rural Fire Service assistant commissioner Dave Luxton said wind and dry weather
had made conditions ideal for winter fires.

He said the fires should be a "wake up call" for what could come when temperatures rise.

Good rain across Queensland early this year prompted strong vegetation growth and dry
conditions ensured it became potential fuel for bush and grass fires.

Mr Luxton said significant areas of the state, particularly along the eastern coast,
were now covered with dry fuel, especially long dry grass.

"What it produces in those grassy field types are very fast running fires which are
very difficult to contain," he said.

Mr Luxton said because fires could stretch resources to the limit a major campaign
was being planned to make people aware of the dangers.

"We will try to identify the most vulnerable and at-risk areas and try to 'toughen
up' the communities to make them more aware of the things they can do to lessen the impact
of fires," Mr Luxton said.

AAP ch/tma/bwl

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES QLD SECOND NIGHTLEAD

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