Livingstone Shire Fire Disaster Update #4: Fire fighting efforts to continue in Livingstone Shire to
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With thick smoke blanketing our region today, residents are being encouraged to adhere to emergency services advice and remain at their safe places to allow emergency services full access to areas of concern.
The Cobraball/Bungundarra/Maryvale/Lake Mary fire is still uncontained and burning on multiple fronts and residents are currently advised to prepare to leave.
The fire is currently impacting Mount Lizard, east of Evans Road, south of Mapes Road, south of Ingrey Road, east of Serpentine Road and north of Cobraball Road. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
About 40 fire crews spent the night conducting back-burning operations in an effort to contain the blaze.
As of late yesterday, approximately 11,000 hectares has been burnt and a number of structures have been lost or damaged. Three teams of specialists will be out this morning conducting drive-by assessments to determine locations that may be safe for people to return to, and they will be advised when a decision is made to allow residents to return to those areas.
More detailed Rapid Damage Assessments will continue today where it is safe to do so.
There are currently about 400 homes without power and multiple additional Ergon Energy crews will be on the ground today reconnecting customers and replacing burnt poles as quickly as possible.
Livingstone Disaster Management Group Chairman, Bill Ludwig, said Council will request funding support from both State and Federal governments.
“We will be pushing for every dollar made available to help rebuild our community affected by the fires,” Mayor Ludwig said.
“It is close to a miracle that nobody has lost their life in this unprecedented disaster.
“Council will be working closely with government agencies to ensure affected residents get the support they need quickly, in this difficult time.”
Another community meeting will be held this afternoon for people who have been evacuated or self-evacuated as well as interested members of the public, at 5.30pm at the Evacuation Centre at 37 Cordingley Street, Yeppoon for another update on affected areas.
Council is continuing to monitor the fire risk with all updates to the community provided through the online Disaster Dashboard (http://disaster.livingstone.qld.gov.au/) or through Council’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/livingstoneshirecouncil/).