General News
25 November, 2019
Firefighters battle multiple blazes
BUSHFIRES continue to wreak havoc right across the country, and the Tablelands was no exception last week and over the weekend as blazes in and around Mareeba posed a danger to residential areas nearby.
BUSHFIRES continue to wreak havoc right across the country, and the Tablelands was no exception last week and over the weekend as blazes in and around Mareeba posed a danger to residential areas nearby.
Fire activity in Mareeba began on Thursday as a bushfire on Springs Road and another on Bilwon, Road Biboohra started around the middle of the day.
The fires were made worse as strong south-westerly winds saw the blaze difficult to contain for the large group of firefighters and water bombing helicopters on hand to fight it.
As a result of the large and unpredictable bushfires that were burning, a Prepare to Leave notice was announced by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) for the Mareeba and Biboohra areas.
That was compounded by another two fires that occurred over the weekend, with a further two fires at Arriga and Southedge.
Acting Inspector of the Western Command Darryl Chaplain praised the work of the men and women who have been fighting the blazes in recent days.
“The firefighters have done a great job over the last couple of days in implementing effective firebreaks to ensure the fires don’t pose an immediate threat to the people or properties in the area,” he said.
“As we have seen right across the country, this fire season is a significant one, so it is paramount that residents stay alert and prepared and keep up to date with the QFES announcements.”
For more information on bushfires happening in the region and how to best prepare, visit the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - QFES Facebook Page or Mareeba Shire Council's emergency dashboard – emergency.msc.qld.gov.au
