Western Downs bushfires: Second person dies in deadly Queensland blaze that has claimed 16 homes and burned through 11,000 hectares around Tara

A second person has died and 16 homes have been destroyed by bushfires in the Tara region of Queensland’s Western Downs as firefighters struggle to control the blazes.

A woman died on Wednesday after suffering cardiac arrest following the death of a man who was trying to protect his property on Tuesday evening.

The devastating fires have already destroyed more than 11,000 hectares of land in the area and 350 people have been evacuated.

An emergency warning has also been issued for Halliford, near Dalby, with residents told to leave immediately.

This was stated by acting assistant commissioner Peter Hollier of the national fire brigade ABC that conditions remain very difficult.

‘The wind remains strong and can be gusty at times. That will be another challenging day for us today as we enter areas of extreme fire danger.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Chief Inspector Warren Buckley said while some light rain provided some relief overnight, “it is still not safe to return”.

“I have to make that 100 per cent clear… it is still a very dangerous fire, unpredictable and not under control at this stage.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told state parliament on Thursday morning that firefighters had battled more than 100 major fires this week.

“They have been fighting them around the clock and their work is not over,” she said.

“We are all praying for rain from the storms forecast in the Southeast over the next few days.

‘Please continue to listen to the instructions of our police and emergency services, do not take any risks and stay safe.’

On Wednesday, a devastated homeowner was forced to cut short an interview on live TV as he became overwhelmed with emotion after his property was destroyed by bushfires.

The unnamed man has virtually nothing left as out-of-control fires continue to burn in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

“This is nonsense,” the visibly emotional resident told Today on Wednesday, fighting back tears.

‘We’ve been here for ten years without a fire, and then this. Our caravan, four sheds, one car (are all gone).”

The distraught homeowner was so overcome with emotion that he was forced to end the interview and tell the reporter, “I have to stop.”

Devastating bushfires have ravaged rural and regional Queensland for weeks, leaving several people homeless after losing their property to the flames.

On Tuesday, the fires claimed their first lives of the season in Queensland.

Police said a body has been discovered at Tara, in the Western Downs, where Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have urged residents to flee.

“This is an emerging situation and the investigation is ongoing,” police said in a statement.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Residents were told in emergency alerts overnight to leave their homes in Tara, Wieambilla, Kogan, Goranba and Weranga west of Brisbane, as well as Millmerran Woods.

Authorities said it is not yet safe for residents of Millmerran Downs and Cypress Gardens to return as the fire continues to burn in the area on Wednesday morning.

Firefighters across Queensland are on high alert as temperatures are above average and more winds are forecast, while residents in the state’s south await a safe return home.

More than 50 people were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday as more than 40 fire crews battled water bombers to bring the blaze under control.

The large, fast-moving fire – one of more than 40 being monitored in Queensland – raged between Tara, Wieambilla and Kogan late on Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Tony Johnstone of the Rural Fire Service said five homes were lost in the blaze and a further 10 properties were being closely monitored.

He said the fires at the scene had advanced 200 meters ahead of the bushfire due to strong winds.

Other current fires in the state have burned another home and three barns to the ground.

A spokesperson for QFES said the number of lost properties was likely to rise once the fire service can safely complete the damage assessment.

Evacuation centers have been set up at the Western Downs Regional Council customer center and at the Millmerran showground.

Mr Johnstone said firefighters would carry out line scans overnight.

“We do line scans every night so crews can see where the fire has been the next day,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Due to the elevated fire conditions, burn bans have been issued in Rockhampton, Livingstone, Mackay, Whitsundays, Isaac, Central Highlands, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Barcoo, Winton, Gladstone and Banana.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the government has extended the contract period for firefighting aircraft with a long forecast for the fire season.

Water bombing has already carried out more than 6,000 drops.

Extreme fire danger levels are expected for the Gulf, Central West, North West and Channel Country of the state in the coming days.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a southerly change would bring cooler conditions from the Channel Country in the west of the state later this week, with a chance of rain in the Western Downs by Friday.

As of 11am on Wednesday, QFES has issued two emergency alerts, two watch and action orders and 20 alerts to stay aware of fires across the state.

Bushfires have already claimed two lives in New South Wales.

On October 9, a volunteer firefighter died while battling a fire in Bean Creek near Kyogle in the state’s north when he suffered a “medical episode.”

His death was followed just over a week later by that of family man Richard Mainey on October 16.

Mr Mainey had remained at his Temagog estate with four family members to protect it from bushfires that swept through the area, 30 kilometers west of Kempsey, near Port Macquarie.