By Jeremy Sollars
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Fire Weather Warning for the Southern Downs and Granite Belt ahead of forecast high temperatures this weekend and continued tinder-dry conditions.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has also extended a local fire ban for the Southern Downs Regional Council area until at least Friday 20 December.
At this stage the maximum forecast temperature for Warwick this Saturday 7 December is 39 degrees and 35 for Stanthorpe.
BOM says the coming conditions mean a “severe fire danger is forecast for the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Wide Bay and Burnett Districts”.
“A hot and very dry air mass over southern Queensland will combine with south-westerly winds to worsen fire conditions today (Thursday 5 December) with severe fire dangers forecast to continue through Friday and Saturday,” BOM says.
Residents in bushfire-prone areas are advised to review their Bushfire Survival Plan and to keep up to date with any bushfire warnings and updates in the coming days.
QFES says the curren fire ban means “heightened fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly”.
“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been cancelled,” QFES says.
“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.
“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.”
Information on fire bans and the exemptions that can apply can be found on the RFS website, www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
Current bushfires on the Main Range east of Warwick affecting the Tregony, Swanfels and Upper Freestone areas continue to burn within containment lines and as of today, Thursday, are currently posing no threat to property.
