Tara, Western Downs: Body is discovered and homes are destroyed as bushfires ravage Queensland
A body has been found in southern Queensland as firefighters battle bushfires that have destroyed five homes.
Police say the body was discovered on Tuesday in the Western Downs following bushfires in the Tara region, west of Brisbane.
“This is an emerging situation and the investigation is ongoing,” a police statement said late Tuesday.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Residents have been asked to leave their homes in Tara, Millmerran Downs and Cypress Gardens.
A body was found after major bushfires in southern Queensland’s Western Downs region on Tuesday (pictured).
Hundreds of volunteers and firefighters are battling the blazes, while locals grab their own machines to help emergency services defend their properties.
Earlier on Tuesday, National Fire Service Chief Inspector Tony Johnstone said five homes had been destroyed and a further 10 properties were threatened.
“We will know more about which structures and homes have actually been destroyed once we get a chance to get the fires under control,” Johnstone said.
There are 43 fires being fought by more than 400 volunteers and firefighters across the state, supported by water bombers.
About 50 people are in evacuation centers after large, fast-moving fires spread on Tuesday. Conditions are expected to become even tougher in the coming days.
An evacuation center has been set up by Western Downs Regional Council after the Tara fire escalated on Monday evening.
The hot spots advanced 200 meters ahead of the Tara fire due to high winds, Mr Johnstone said.
People in Millmerran Woods near Toowoomba have been told it is still not safe to return to their homes.
Firefighters and volunteers battle more than 40 fires in Tara (pictured), regional Queensland, after major bushfires broke out
Firefighters are on high alert as above-average temperatures and increased winds are forecast in the coming days.
“We expect the hot, dry weather to continue into the weekend,” Johnstone said.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said they had extended water bombing contracts beyond the usual end of November, with a longer fire season expected.
Water bombing has already performed more than 6,000 drops.
Mr Johnstone said the water bombing plane helped, but it was “troops on the ground” who stopped the bushfires.
“We saw it yesterday in Tara, where some landowners took their own machines and started building firebreaks and working with the local brigades to work the flanks of the fires,” he said.
Mr Ryan said below-average rainfall and ‘intense’ dry conditions had led to the extended fire season.
Authorities are fighting the fires (photo) with various means, including water bombers, with 6,000 drops carried out so far
Temperatures are expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius in the northwest and 40 degrees Celsius in the central west by mid-week.
Extreme fire danger ratings are expected for the state’s Gulf countries, central west, northwest and Channel country.
However, the Bureau of Meteorology said a southerly change will occur from the west of the state later this week.
The bushfires continue to burn as QFES commissioner Greg Leach prepares to resign on Friday, with acting deputy commissioner Stephen Smith stepping down to replace him until a new chief is appointed.