North Stradbroke Island fire rolling blog: latest update 10 December as at 4.10pm

4:10pm Monday 10 December 2018

STAY INFORMED: North Stradbroke Island bushfire as at 4.10pm Mon 10 Dec: https://t.co/P2obNEljMk — Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) December 10, 2018

1:10pm Monday 10 December 2018

NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND – bushfire as at 1.10pm Mon 10/12. No threat to property. Waterbombing aircraft working in area this afternoon: https://t.co/LKIRBvWB52 — Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) December 10, 2018

2:15pm Friday 7 December 2018

North Stradbroke Island residents may notice fire appliances leaving the island this afternoon. This follows overnight patrols to ensure any hotspots/flare ups within the burnt out area of the recent fire were extinguished. The reins have now been handed over to QYAC Rangers and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, who will work jointly to monitor the area for the next week.

Island residents may experience some intermittent electricity outages as Energex removes its temporary generators on Sunday.

Beach access via the causeway at Main Beach is now open.

12.00pm Thursday 6 December 2018

Overnight crews continued to extinguish residual hot spots and were able to report the fire intensity is low. Patrols and monitoring will be ongoing as the fire will continue to smoulder in the south-eastern end of the swamp over the next week. There is a possibility the fire could reignite so please remain alert and keep up to date:

1.45pm Wednesday 5 December 2018

With heavy rain and decreased fire activity the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) will close at 7pm  tonight. A  Disaster Planning and Operations team will continue to monitor the situation on North Stradbroke Island from Redland City Council offices. The Community Information Hubs at Dunwich Community Hall on North Stradbroke Island and Russell Island Recreation Hall will both close at 6pm tonight (Wed 5 Dec) and are not expected to reopen tomorrow. Residents and visitors are asked to stay alert and listen to messaging. There is no active fire front however the fire will continue to smoulder in the south-eastern end of the swamp over the next week. Winds have picked up and are expected to continue into the evening. A fire ban remains place for Redland City until 11.59pm today. The following closures are still in place on North Stradbroke Island: All internal walking tracks in national parks closed, Tripod Track from Amity turnoff to Alfred Martin Way closed, Alfred Martin Way near the golf course to causeway closed. Main Beach remains closed. There is no immediate threat to townships on the island or at the nearby Southern Moreton Bay Islands. Since last Wednesday 3200 hectares have burned from the causeway, 22km along the eastern coast of the island to the south. Thank you to the more than 250 firefighters, police  and support crew from QFES, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Energex, Sibelco, Seqwater and firefighters from South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria who have worked tirelessly on this fire.

To keep up-to-date:

9.05am Wednesday 5 December 2018

Main Beach is closed for swimming again today. Check out our other beaches such as Cylinder Beach and remember to always swim between the flags.

7.11am Wednesday 5 December 2018

There continues to be no active fire fronts (fire moving out of containment lines and into new vegetation), however there are flare ups within the boundary of the containment lines.

All fire is back from the burnt out area. Fire at the south-east is also burning against itself.

A fixed wing aircraft will assess the situation this morning and water bombing will be undertaken if needed.

There is no immediate threat to townships on the island or at the nearby Southern Moreton Bay Islands, including Russell Island which is the closest other island to the fire.

Residents and visitors are asked to stay alert and listen to messaging.

Winds are expected to pick up from around lunchtime today and continue into the evening.

Fire in the swamp sits between the water and top of the reeds and could be there for some time.

Wind is currently south easterly heading towards the north west.

Community hubs are open for the final day today from 8am-6pm at Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Road) at North Stradbroke Island and Russell Island Recreation Hall (Alison Crescent) unless there is a change in the fire situation.

A fire ban is in place for Redland City until 11.59pm today.

Closures: All internal walking tracks in national parks closed, Tripod Track from Amity turnoff to Alfred Martin Way closed, Alfred Martin Way near the golf course to causeway closed.

Since last Wednesday more than 3200 hectares have burned from the causeway to the south of North Stradbroke Island.

More than 250 firefighters, police and support crew from QFES, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Energex, Sibelco, Seqwater and firefighters from South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria have been fighting the fire.

6.15pm Tuesday 4 December 2018

Tomorrow is expected to be the final day that the community information hubs will be open on Straddie and Russell Island from 8am-6pm. Straddie: Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Road). Russell Island: Russell Island Recreation Hall near the ferry terminal. pic.twitter.com/9aWPTtJymz — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 4, 2018

3.53pm

The community information hubs, staffed by Council, on Straddie and Russell Island will be open again tomorrow from 8am-6pm. The NSI information hub is at Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Road) and the Russell Island Information hub is at Russell Island Recreation Hall. pic.twitter.com/19jDLsgZ3I — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 4, 2018

2:45pm 

There are no active fire fronts on North Stradbroke Island. There are still hot spots within the containment lines but these are being closely monitored and extinguished.

However, winds are expected to increase across Wednesday so please continue to remain vigilant and listen to messaging.

There is also a possibility the fires may reignite in the swamp over the next week.

There will also continue to be smoke due to smouldering in the burnt out areas and this is likely to last for a week or more.

Since last Wednesday 3200 hectares have burned from the causeway, 22km along the eastern coast of the island to the south.

Thank you to the more than 250 firefighters, police  and support crew from QFES, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Energex, Sibelco, Seqwater and firefighters from South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria who have worked tirelessly on this fire.

12:15pm 

Two choppers are currently water bombing an active 110m fire front at the southern end of the Straddie fire assisting crews on the ground. The slow moving fire is heading in an easterly direction, with the wind also being helpful blowing the fire back on itself. This video is of a large aerial tanker bombing the fire yesterday.

9:00am 

There has been good progress with fire fighting efforts on North Stradbroke Island, however the fire is still burning, with more than 3185 hectares burnt since last Wednesday. Water bombing is continuing today. Water bombers are so essential for fighting this blaze on North Stradbroke Island – much of the fire is in inaccessible country. #qldfire @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/ODriX7kyDN — Allyson Horn (@allysonhorn) December 3, 2018 There are no immediate threats to townships at North Stradbroke Island. Main Beach is closed for swimming again today. ????‍♀️???????? Main Beach is closed, so head on over to beautiful Cylinder Beach instead. Stay save in the surf on Straddie, make sure to always swim between the flags. https://t.co/2bgnqZ5VTC — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Walking tracks in national parks on the island remain closed. Alfred Martin Way near the golf course to the causeway and Tripod Track from the Amity turnoff to Alfred Martin Way are closed. Community information hubs are open today until 6pm at the Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Road) on Straddie and also at nearby Russell Island at the Russell Island Recreation Hall (Alison Crescent), near the ferry terminal. Wind conditions are expected to remain light today before picking up again on Wednesday. The wind is currently moving in a north westerly direction. Smoke will continue to move across North Stradbroke Island and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. Residents and visitors are reminded to stay vigilant. With wind predicted to pick up on Wednesday there is the possibility that fires inaccessible to ground crews could reignite. Fire ban remains in place across all of Redland City until 11.59pm Wednesday 5 December. Fighting this fire has been a combined effort with crews from Qld Fire and Emergency Services, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service joined by firefighters from Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. More than 80 residents attended a community meeting at Dunwich yesterday afternoon where they got an update on the latest information on the fire from emergency services representatives and Redland City Council.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing) in case you need to leave. Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

Keep up-to-date and share information with family and friends:

6:30pm Monday 3 December 2018

North Stradbroke Island residents have again joined a community meeting at Dunwich for an update on the fire burning on the eastern and southern parts of the island.

About 80 residents heard from representatives from agencies working collaboratively to control the fire and keep the community safe.

QFES, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Seqwater, Energex and Sibelco were in attendance as well as Police and SES.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams thanked firefighters from Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania as well as all other agencies and volunteers for their contribution in bringing the bushfire under control and within containment lines.

News was primarily good with no active fire fronts north of Enterprise Mine and the wind dropping off considerably. It is expected to remain light throughout tomorrow (Tuesday) before picking up again on Wednesday.

With the wind direction changing to easterly, smoke will move west across the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) and mainland Redlands Coast. Residents should continue to protect themselves from the smoke by closing their doors and windows, keeping medication close by and driving with caution in low visibility conditions.

Lighter wind and much reduced fire fronts mean embers are unlikely to affect the SMBIs over the next 24 hours.

But residents and visitors are reminded to stay alert. With wind predicted to pick up on Wednesday there is the possibility that fires inaccessible to ground crews could reignite.

Water bombing is expected to continue tomorrow and a fire ban remains in place across all of Redland City until 11.59pm Wednesday 5 December.

The two community information hubs at Dunwich Community Hall, Ballow Rd, North Stradbroke Island and Russell Island Recreation Hall (near the ferry terminal) will open again tomorrow from 8am to 6pm.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Listen to your local radio station or follow Council or QFES’s digital media sites. New Redlands Coast disaster site – disaster.redland.qld.gov.au (also available through Council’s website). If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave. Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

More tips on staying healthy in smoky conditions can be found at on the Queensland Health website.

Map shows fire as at 5.15pm, Monday 3 December. Black hatched area is the burnt area and red are active fires.

4.00pm

The community meeting at Dunwich a community Hall is about to start. Join us, @QldPolice , @QldFES , @Energex @qldhealthnews , QYAC and @Seqwater for the latest update about the fire on North Stradbroke Island. #qldfires pic.twitter.com/nsrJkxWU71 — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Inspector Mark Halvereon from @QldFES delivering the latest update about the NSI Fire #QLDFires pic.twitter.com/YVNi16LoW8 — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Latest update from @QldFES about the wind change, and the water bombers who have been working across the island. 8-10 ground crews are also working to contain the fire. pic.twitter.com/GAuiTNDV2V — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 .@QldFES thanking the other services who have been working collaboratively to contain the fire. Smoke moving across to the SMBIs is a concern. Crews are on standby. Message level is at Advice which is the lowest level. pic.twitter.com/oCq4DLctm0 — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Continue to follow @QldFES for the latest updates as conditions change. pic.twitter.com/Os2jRjlHKG — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 .@CrKarenWilliams acknowledging and thanking all the services who are working together to help during the NSI fire. #qldfires pic.twitter.com/f1OGP0Zrnm — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Questions from resident about the previous NSI fires and what action @QldFES is taking for the current situation #qldfires pic.twitter.com/4KcCTUVMQy — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 .@CrKarenWilliams thanks residents and encourages everyone to access the disaster dashboard website for latest updates: https://t.co/qe4onLnZqj pic.twitter.com/CvvJS4YBhW — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018 Thank you to everyone who attended today’s meeting at Dunwich. Please continue to follow @RedlandCouncil , @QldPolice ,@QldFES for the latest updates about the NSI fire. ????#qldfires pic.twitter.com/hUL6IpcHhb — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018

3.43pm

???????? Thank you to the @CFA_Updates team, coming all the way up from country Victoria to assist with the response to the bushfire on North Stradbroke Island. #straddie #qldfires #qldbushfires pic.twitter.com/s7iwZCuA2E — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 3, 2018

1:15pm 

There has been good progress with fire fighting efforts on North Stradbroke Island, however the fire is still burning. Two air drops of 11,000 litres of fire fighting foam have assisted in supressing an area of fire travelling west. The fire has burned more than 2300 hectares along a 22km stretch of the eastern side of the island. There are no immediate threats to townships at North Stradbroke Island. There is a small fire front south of Enterprise Mine, which is expected to be contained as it moves towards a backburned area. Wind is currently south-easterly (blowing towards the north-west) and is expected to move to an easterly (blowing towards the west) later this afternoon, currently forecast for about 4pm. This will bring increased smoke across the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) and mainland Redlands Coast as well as across Brisbane. Fire spotting hazards remain a consideration for Southern Moreton Bay Islands. 5 helicopters continue water bombing efforts (4 water bombers and 1 observation aircraft). Closures: Main Beach is closed to swimming and all internal walking tracks in national parks on NSI are also closed – south of Alfred Martin Way near the golf course (the causeway) and Fisherman’s Track (a 4WD track) closed. There are no fires on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. A fire ban remains in place across all of Redland City until 11.59pm Wednesday 5 December. Community meeting at 4pm today at Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Rd) and information hub at the hall today until 6pm and tomorrow from 8am to 6pm. Members of the public have been attending the information hub at Russell Island Recreation Hall near the ferry terminal. Russell Island is one of four Southern Moreton Bay islands along with Macleay, Karragarra and Lamb islands. Fire burning since Wednesday last week after dry lightning strike, started in the inaccessible 18 Mile Swamp, on the eastern side of the island. Same location as the December 2013 to January 2014 fire that resulted in resident evacuations and went on to burn more than 70 per cent of the island. Representatives from QFES, Qld Police, Redland City Council, Energex, Queensland Health and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and Seqwater will provide the latest information at the meeting. There are over 40 firefighters from QFES on the ground. Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Seqwater, Energex and Sibelco are in attendance as well as Police and SES.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Listen to your local radio station or follow Council or QFES’s digital media sites. New Redlands Coast disaster site (also available through Council’s website). If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave. Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

9:15am Monday 3 December 2018

Surf Life Saving Queensland has closed Main Beach on North Stradbroke Island due to dangerous surf conditions.

#UPDATE – Lifeguards at Main Beach #NorthStradbrokeIsland have #closed the beach due to dangerous surf conditions. Please stay out of the water. — Surf Life Saving QLD (@lifesavingqld) December 2, 2018

6.45am Monday 3 December 2018

There are no immediate threats to townships at North Stradbroke Island. Two additional large fire breaks are being constructed as a precaution – new fire breaks in the area from Enterprise Mine west across the island. Water bombing continues today, but no backburning due to change of wind direction with wind blowing from the south-south-east. This brings increased smoke across Dunwich, Southern Moreton Bay Islands  and mainland Redlands Coast as well as across Brisbane. Concern for SMBIs and Dunwich is the increased smoke with wind changes. On Wednesday winds are forecast to pick up again, after forecasts of reducing winds a little tomorrow (Tuesday). Fire burning since Wednesday last week after dry lightning strike, started in the inaccessible 18 Mile Swamp, on the eastern side of the island. Since starting it has now travelled around 22km south along the eastern side of the island. QFES reports more than 2300 hectares have burnt Same location as the December 2013 to January 2014 fire that resulted in resident evacuations and went on to burn more than 70 per cent of the island. Community meeting at 4pm today at Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Rd). Dunwich Community Hall (Ballow Rd) will also become an information hub today from midday to 6pm and 8am to 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday 4 Dec) – a place people can drop in for the latest information, staffed by Council. Russell Island Recreation Hall (1 Alison Crescent), near the ferry terminal, will also become a community hub today from 8am to 6pm. Representatives from QFES, Qld Police, Redland City Council, Energex, Queensland Health and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and SEQWater will provide the latest information at the meeting. All campers have been evacuated from Main Beach and camping bookings for that area have been suspended by Minjerribah Camping. Closures: Main Beach has been closed south of Alfred Martin Way (the causeway) and Fisherman’s Track (a 4WD track) has also been closed. There are approx. 60 firefighters from QFES, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Seqwater and Sibelco in attendance as well as Police and SES. On Saturday there were firefighters from South Australia and yesterday (Sunday) we also had fire fighters from Tasmania. A fire ban has been extended across all of Redland City until 11.59pm Wednesday 5 December Overnight the wind changed from blowing from the north to the south to now blowing from the south to the north. This increases the amount of smoke affecting Dunwich and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI), especially Russell Island. Forecasts for later in the day are for the wind to shift to blow further from the east, further impacting SMBI, causing further increased smoke and fire spotting hazards

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Listen to your local radio station or follow Council or QFES’s digital media sites. New Redlands Coast disaster site – redland.qld.gov.au (also available through Council’s website). If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave. Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

6.52pm Sunday 2 December 2018

Hear the latest update about the North Stradbroke Island fire and smoke drifting over to the SMBI’s from Mayor Karen Williams and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES Acting Inspector Damien Thomas.

5.15pm 

Live aerial footage of the fire burning at North Stradbroke Island from ABC Brisbane. Water bombers are working hard to extinguish the fire.

4.35pm

Fire Information Hub to open at Straddie tomorrow and Tuesday

Dunwich Community Hall, 6 Ballow Street, will be open as an information hub:

Monday 3 December: 12 – 6pm

Tuesday 4 December: 8am – 6pm

Residents and visitors to North Stradbroke Island can drop in at any time during these hours to find out that latest about the fire that has burned on the island at 18 Miles Swamp since Wednesday.

It will be staffed by Redland City Council officers. A community meeting will be held at the hall tomorrow from 4-5pm.

4.09pm

Live tweets from the Macleay Island community meeting

Currently speaking with residents on Macleay Island about th fire on Straddie and its potential impacts on the SMBIs. @CraigCrawfordMP encourages everyone to stay informed and prepared. No fires currently on SMBIs pic.twitter.com/QMuI1TrfX6 — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Currently telling residents on Macleay Island to expect increased smoke on the SMBIS from the Straddie fire due to a predicted wind change. — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Neil Gallant from @QldFES telling Macleay island community the fire on Straddie is currently in containment lines with a wind change is expected overnight. SMBI residents should expect smoke to increase over night — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 .@qldhealthnews are at Macleay Island meeting, encouraging everyone to take precautions and prepare for smoke, particularly those with respiratory illness. Close windows, put air con recycle — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Resident asks about the warning to close windows. QPS say elderly people should be encouraged to go to the mainland in the first instance — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Some residents at the Macleay Island community meeting ask about the emergency alerts sent out this morning. Residents are told to ensure they have location services to make sure they receive the alerts. — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 That wraps up the Macleay Island meeting. Stay up to date with the latest on Council’s website and social media pages. — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018

3.30pm

Straddie community meeting at Dunwich tomorrow    

A Straddie community meeting will be held tomorrow (Monday 3 December) at the Dunwich Community Hall (6 Ballow Road) from 4-5pm to provide an update on the fire that has been burning on the island since Wednesday.

Representatives from Emergency Services including Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES and Queensland Police Service, Redland City Council, Queensland Health and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation will provide the latest information at the meeting.

This is the second community meeting held on the island about the fire, with the first held at Dunwich on Friday, 30 November. Residents are advised to keep updated with community messaging.

2.06pm 

Live tweets from the Russell Island community meeting

On Russell Island to talk with the community about the fires on Straddie and their impacts on the southern islands. An anticipated wind change early tomorrow is expected to increase smoke but no risk to homes on smbis at this point. pic.twitter.com/FxhjDqtHFC — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 The Russell Island community is getting an update from @CraigCrawfordMP who says there is potential for increased smoke from Straddie fire. @QldFES and @qldhealthnews are on hand to answer questions — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 .@CraigCrawfordMP asks the community for an increased sense of urgency and attention over the next 24 hours — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Assistant commissioner @QldFES Neil Gallant tells the community the Straddie fire is in swamp and difficult to access. It is currently contained within firebreaks and holding but a wind change over night will change its direction and push smoke towards smbis — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Neil gallant from @QldFES says keeping community informed is as important as fighting the fire — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 .@CraigCrawfordMP tells everyone to think about the danger of fires, “now is not the time to be using an angle grinder.” — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 That’s it for the Russell Island community meeting. The Macleay Island community meeting starts at 4pm at the rural fire station. #qldfires — Mayor Karen Williams (@CrKarenWilliams) December 2, 2018 Thank you to the Russell Island community for attending today's meeting. Please continue to follow @QldPolice , @QldFES , @RedlandCouncil for the latest updates about the fire on North Stradbroke Island. #qldfires pic.twitter.com/Sghu7Ej1KD — Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) December 2, 2018

11.30am 

SMBI Smoke and community meetings – Straddie Bushfire Update

The impact of smoke from a fire burning at North Stradbroke Island is likely to increase on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands over the next few days. There are no immediate threats to townships.

Probable changes in wind direction throughout Sunday and Monday are likely to increase smoke and fire spotting hazards for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI), especially Russell Island.

To update on the community on dealing with potential smoke hazards, community meetings will be held today on Russell and Macleay Island hosted by the Queensland Minister for Health, the Hon. Craig Crawford MP, and representatives from QFES and Queensland Health.

Meeting details Russell Island at 2pm at the Rural Fire Station located at 37 Jackson Rd, Russell Island Macleay Island at 4pm at the Rural Fire Station located at Lot 2 High Central Road, Macleay Island.

Smoke may also affect South Stradbroke Island and the southern part of Redlands Coast mainland.

SMBI residents, especially the elderly and those with respiratory illness, should stay alert and take precautions to avoid the effect of the increased smoke hazards. Those with respiratory conditions might consider leaving the islands before the wind change.

The Rural Fire Service has been activated on SMBI. The fire is currently south-east of Enterprise Mine.Water bombing and backburning continue on North Stradbroke Island today. Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines and aerial operations are assisting.

A fire ban for Redlands Coast has currently been extended until 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 December. It is possible it will be extended.To report any wildfires call 000.

Redlands Coast disaster website: disaster.redland.qld.gov.au (includes multi-agency and Council information).Look out for neighbours and friends. Keep up-to-date and share information with family and friends:

Protect yourself from smoke using these tips from Queensland Health.

minimise your physical activity outdoors. People with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, in particular, should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke when indoors, keep the windows and doors closed. If you have an air conditioner, turn it on and switch it to ‘recycle or re-circulate’ if your home gets too hot for comfort or is letting in a lot of smoky air, try to visit an air-conditioned community library or shopping centre (if it is safe to do so) when indoors, avoid other sources of air pollution including smoke from cigarettes and woodstoves if there is a break in smoky conditions, take the opportunity to ventilate your home to improve indoor air quality anyone with a lung or heart condition should keep at least seven days worth of medication on hand. Those with asthma should follow their personal asthma treatment plan anyone experiencing breathing problems or chest  should seek medical advice immediately individuals who are particularly sensitive to smoky conditions should consider temporarily moving away from the smoke-affected area and staying with a friend or relative.

10am Sunday 2 December 2018

Straddie Bushfire Update

A fire continues to burn at 18 Mile Swamp, near Blue Lake, in a southerly direction. There are no immediate threats to townships.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an expected wind change early tomorrow morning (Monday 3 December 2018).