By Jeremy Sollars
UPDATE, 9AM: A bushfire at Rosenthal Heights south of Warwick which started early yesterday afternoon, Sunday 14 January, is now “burning safely within containment lines”, according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).
The fire tore through around 40 hectares of bushland in the vicinity of Ranger Road and Kingsleigh Road, but no structures were involved.
Property owned by the Schnitzerling family, which owns the Warwick Brick Works, was involved, and it is understood a significant amount of timber earmarked for use in the Brick Works kilns was lost.
Around two dozen urban and rural fire crews battled to contain the fire yesterday afternoon and night, including crews from Killarney and Stanthorpe.
Two crews – Severnlea West and The Glen – remain on site this morning monitoring the situation.
The New England Highway was closed for part of yesterday afternoon and evening due to smoke reducing visibility for drivers.
The fire originated as a controlled burn on Friday and re-ignited yesterday, with the situation not helped by strong westerly winds.
The Free Times is seeking comment from QFES as to the circumstances around the issuing of a controlled burn permit during what has been described as a “low intensity heatwave” over the past week.
