Central Highlands’ bushfire preparations underway

Fires in the Blackdown Tableland and Carnarvon National Parks continue to cause concern for authorities as concentrated containment preparation ramps up.

Twenty-five national parks fire personnel from Victoria and eight local rural fire service people have been deployed to an incident centre based at Takarakka resort near Carnarvon Gorge.

Some infrastructure damage occurred in the area on Tuesday and the park remains closed until further notice.

A blaze heading in the direction of Humbolt National Park, adjacent to Blackdown Tableland, is the focus of containment preparation today as landholders, QPWS, QFES and council staff work side-by-side to develop fire breaks and back burn while the weather is favourable.

Local Disaster Coordinator Glenn Bell said the weather conditions are set to deteriorate over the weekend.

‘The Bureau of Meteorology predicts temperatures to soar to over 40 degrees by Sunday and, accompanied by strong winds, conditions for bushfires will again escalate.

‘The objective is to have all the preparation to contain the two fires in place by midday tomorrow [Saturday] and to be ready to respond immediately to any outbreaks.

‘The local disaster control centre will remain active well into next week at this stage,’ he said.

Central Highlands’ Mayor Kerry Hayes toured the Blackdown fire by helicopter this morning.

‘Certainly, this is a very extensive fire,’ he said.

‘The police are watching the situation with smoke hazard for driving and the health authorities are closely monitoring health-related issues from air quality and heat.

‘I am very pleased with the collaborative effort between all authorities and landholders to date, although everyone must stay vigilant and alert in coming days.’

For the best updated information regarding the local bushfire situation, visit beprepared.chrc.qld.gov.au