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Friday 6 November 2009 Afternoon Round Up

11/6/2009

Severe storm warning
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) is urging people in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts to take the necessary precautions with a severe storm forecast to affect these areas in the next few hours.

These storms are likely to produce damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, St George, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe, Taroom and Goondiwindi.

EMQ advises that people should:
• Move your car under cover or away from trees.
• Secure loose outdoor items.
• Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Clairview – fatal crash
Emergency services crews responded to a single vehicle rollover on the Bruce Highway at Clairview. The crash occurred just after 11am. One person was pronounced deceased on the scene. Two other occupants of the vehicle were transported to Mackay Hospital by the RACQ Central Queensland rescue helicopter in a stable condition.

Riverhills (east of Bellbowrie) – house fire
Three fire crews responded to a house fire on Miena Close, Riverhills, east of Bellbowrie, around 10am. The brick house was well alight on arrival by fire crews and suffered significant damage. A woman and child were transported to the Mater Hospital suffering from minor burns and smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Jondaryan – motorbike crash
Two people suffered minor injuries after they crashed riding a motorbike at Jondaryan. The crash occurred just before 1pm on the Warrego Highway. The pair were transported to Toowoomba Base Hospital.

Woolooga – bush fire
Nine fire crews are in attendance at a bush fire on Wide Bay Highway at Woolooga. The fire has been burning since Wednesday night and is currently burning in grazing land. Control lines are now being established along Drays Road and fire crew are now working to contain the fire to the southern side of the Wide Bay Highway and the western side of Drays Road. An aircraft has been used to undertake reconnaissance activities and assist ground crews. No homes are under threat at this time.

Hervey Range – grass fire
Three fire crews continue to monitor a grass fire on Hervey Range Road at Hervey Range. The fire has been burning since yesterday afternoon and is currently contained. No homes are under threat.

FIRE BANS
Fire bans will remain in place for the following Local Government areas until midnight on Monday 9 November: North Burnett, Fraser Coast, South Burnett, Gympie, Cherbourg, Bundaberg, Whitsunday, Burdekin, Townsville, Charters Towers, Richmond, Mackay, Isaac, Banana, Gladstone and Rockhampton.

Fire bans in these areas may be extended again if dangerous fire conditions continue.

The Rural Fire Service has put a ban on the lighting of all fires in the above Local Government areas, including permit fires as a precaution with high, and at times extreme, conditions expected to continue.

The following exemptions apply under fire ban conditions:
• The use of gas and electric barbecues are permitted provided they are not left unattended. The use of wood fire barbecues is prohibited;
• Fires for the purpose of disposal of animal carcasses are permitted, subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the local Fire Warden;
• Fires of commercial necessity are permitted subject to the issue of a Permit to Light Fire by the Area Director Rural Operations;
• Fires for the purpose of burning standing sugar cane for harvest in accordance with the established practice of the industry; and
• Fires for the purpose of burning sugar cane tops and trash on cane production land between the hours of 1800 (6.00 pm) and 0900 (9.00 am).

Regular updated information will be provided on the QFRS Rural Operations website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by listening to your local radio station.


Contact: For more information contact Department of Community Safety Media on 3247 8186

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