Around 20 acres of scrubland at Coverty near Proston have gone up in flames with a further 20 acres still at risk as a grass fire is moving through the area.
Queensland Fire Department firefighters, including Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service crews, responded to reports of a grass fire at Glencoe and Proston Boondooma Road around 1.21pm on Tuesday, 30 July.
As of writing, four QFD crews are on scene monitoring the fire, which a spokesperson for the service said had already torn through 20 acres – eight hectares – of scrubland.
The QFD spokesperson said the fire was not posing any risk to nearby structures, but a number of banana trees growing in the area were destroyed by the flames.
At 3pm, firefighters reported the blaze was expanding slowly toward K Duff Road in the direction of Hivesville.
Its flames reach about half a metre in height, with QFD suspecting another 20 acres of land may be burnt before the grass fire can be reined in.
Firefighters on scene are allowing the fire to burn out while monitoring any lingering hotspots.
QFD have issued a Stay Informed warning for parts of Ballogie, Wilkesdale and Coverty, stating some roads may be closed as a result of the fire and urging people in the area to seek regular updates on the situation.
QFD’s directions for people in the area are to:
– Stay informed because conditions could change;
– Check the QFD Current Bushfires and Warnings website regularly;
– Follow QFD on Facebook and Twitter;
– Listen to your local radio station;
– Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area;
– Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan. Make one on the QFD website;
– Decide where you and the people you live with will go. This could be with family or a friend away from the fire;
– Keep medications close by;
– Avoid smoke – stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid driving through smoke;
– Watch out for firefighters working in the area;
– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations;
– If your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For all warnings and updates, visit the Queensland Fire Department incident map on fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents
