- Residents were told to leave immediately
- Wildfires out of control in southern Queensland
Residents of a small community in southern Queensland are being asked to ‘leave immediately’ as a dangerous bushfire sweeps through the area.
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service issued an emergency broadcast for The Pines area near Millmerran in the Southern Downs region on Sunday morning.
“Leave immediately,” QFES says bluntly.
‘Your life could be in danger. It will soon be too dangerous to drive.”
‘If you don’t have a safe place to go, there is a refuge at the Wylahra Grove Progress Recreation Hall at 72 Primrose Drive Millmerran Downs.’
“Avoid driving on Pine Ridge Road.”
Residents of a small community in southern Queensland are being asked to ‘leave immediately’ as a dangerous bushfire sweeps through the area
The bushfire is currently threatening properties between Flamingo Road, Rosella Avenue, Scrubby Creek Boondanilla Rd to the Gore Highway.
Firefighters are battling the blaze west of Toowoomba using firefighting aircraft.
The warning paints a bleak picture of the threat the fire poses to residents.
“Firefighters may not be able to prevent the fire from getting closer,” the warning reads.
‘Don’t expect a fireman at your door.
“Electricity, water and cell phone services may stop working soon.
‘Smoke makes it difficult to see and breathe. The smoke stings your eyes.
“It’ll be hot and loud. You may hear explosions nearby.
‘The sky will be dark. You could become isolated.”
QFES has issued a ‘Leave Immediately’ warning for the Pines area of Queensland’s Southern Downs on Sunday morning, November 19, 2023
A smoke warning is also in effect for Tuchekoi, Kandanga, Imbil, Carters Ridge, Federal and surrounding areas due to a burning fire on Mount Tuchekoi.
No properties are currently at risk, but QFES is advising affected residents to ‘stay indoors and close windows and doors’.
‘Keep respiratory medication on hand. Follow your wildfire survival plan now. If you don’t have a bushfire survival plan, make one on the QFES website.
‘Avoid driving through smoke if possible. Be on the lookout for firefighters working in the area.”
Multiple fires are now burning across the Southern Downs region as the country prepares for a potentially terrible fire season.
Widely respected NSW firefighter Captain Leonardus Fransen tragically died on Thursday while battling a blaze in the state’s north, close to the Queensland border.
Captain Fransen was struck by a falling tree while fighting the Hudson Forest Fire.