Crews leave Straddie after rain

QUEENSLAND Fire and Emergency Services crews have left North Stradbroke Island after rain throughout the weekend.

A QFES spokesperson said fire crews had been tending to an active fire front on the island’s south.

Rainfall over the weekend had helped dampen conditions, with firefighters leaving the island on Saturday, December 15.

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded about 33 millimetres of rain at Point Lookout on Saturday.

About 0.5 millimetres fell on Sunday, with about 3 millimetres recorded since 9am on Monday.

Firefighters had put in another firebreak on the island’s south as part of containment efforts.

Always dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

UPDATE 11AM:

WATER bombing will continue today on North Stradbroke Island in efforts to contain a long running bushfire.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said residents on bay islands needed to keep up to date with the situation and know what actions to take if the situation changed.

As of 10.45am  the fire was burning within containment lines.

“Crews remain on the ground, working to extinguish the fire and water bombing aircraft will be working in the area again today,” she said.

“Smoke may continue to affect North Stradbroke Island, Southern Moreton Bay Islands and the southern areas of the Redlands coast.

“Residents, especially the elderly and those with respiratory illness, should stay alert and take precautions as there is a large amount of smoke in the area.”

No properties are under direct threat at this time.

UPDATE 11.30am:

Firefighters are patrolling Sandy Point at the southern end of Russell Island as air-borne embers threaten to jump from North Stradbroke Island.

A Redland City Council spokeswoman said there was no immediate threat to properties on Russell or North Stradbroke.

Regardless, Russell Island residents were asked to remain vigilant and to dial 000 the moment they saw embers.

She said the Rural Fire Service was been closely monitoring the island. 

“Thick smoke has been reported across the southern end of Russell Island,” she said.

“This is likely to continue and may increase across the day.

“Those in smoke-affected should take steps to protect themselves, including reducing physical activity outside, shutting windows and doors when inside, keeping medication close and consider moving temporarily to another location if sensitive to smoke.”

The fire continued to burn within containment lines at the far southern end of North Stradbroke Island.

Back burning continued yesterday and overnight to contain the fire. Water bombing also was under way.

Ground crews were monitoring the fire and strengthening containment lines on Stradbroke.

“Back burning will continue today. Water bombing is also likely to continue,” she said.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and QYAC are jointly managing fire operations with support from QFES and Redland City Council.

Protect yourself in smoky conditions:

# Minimise your physical activity outdoors. People with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, in particular, should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke;

# When indoors, keep the windows and doors closed. If you have an air conditioner, turn it on and switch it to recycle or re-circulate;

# If your home gets too hot for comfort or is letting in a lot of smoky air, try to visit an air-conditioned community library or shopping centre (if it is safe to do so);

# When indoors, avoid other sources of air pollution including smoke from cigarettes and wood stoves;

# If there is a break in smoky conditions, take the opportunity to ventilate your home to improve indoor air quality;

# Anyone with a lung or heart condition should keep at least seven days’ worth of medication on hand. Those with asthma should follow their personal asthma treatment plan;

# Anyone experiencing breathing problems or chest  should seek medical advice immediately; and

# Individuals who are particularly sensitive to smoky conditions should consider temporarily moving away from the smoke-affected area and staying with a friend or relative.

For more information on how to say safe in smoky conditions, see this Queensland Health Fact Sheet health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/422380/30199.pdf

UPDATE Tuesday 10am

Russell Island residents should report any embers carried across to the island by winds to firefighters, Redland City Council has advised.

The warning has come after bushfire reignited at North Stradbroke Island on Monday.

A council spokesperson said no townships were under threat of the fire, which was burning within containment lines at Straddie.

“The fire is the result of continued smouldering and hot spots in inaccessible areas of Eighteen Mile Swamp, where the fire was burning last week,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said further back-burning overnight was successful but light winds were blowing smoke towards the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

Smoke would also affect North Stradbroke Island after wind changes later on Tuesday.

Firefighters were at Russell Island to check for any spot fires sparked by hot embers, with extra police also there.

The spokesperson said water-bombing at North Stradbroke Island would continue on Tuesday.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and QYAC are jointly managing the fire operations with support from QFES and Redland City Council,” the spokesperson said.

If your property is under bushfire threat, contact Triple Zero (000).

EARLIER 4.35pm

BUSHFIRE at North Stradbroke Island is burning within containment lines, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised.

A QFES spokesperson said crews would remain at the island overnight, with water-bombing by aircraft to continue throughout the afternoon.

The spokesperson said smoke would likely continue to affect Straddie, the Southern Bay Moreton Islands and some parts of the mainland.

“Residents, especially the elderly and those with respiratory illness, should stay alert and take precautions to avoid the effect of the increased smoke hazards.”

The prevailing wind direction is north-easterly.

EARLIER

BUSHFIRE has reignited at North Stradbroke Island.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said firefighters were on scene, with water-bombing aircraft soon to be deployed.

The bushfire was in an inaccessible part of the island and was not threatening properties, the spokesperson said.

Smoke was being produced and residents could be affected by smoke haze.

“Residents are asked to close windows and doors and if suffering from a respiratory condition, keep their medications close by,” the spokesperson said.

“Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions.”

Bushfire sparked by lightning last month at Eighteen Mile Swamp had ravaged more than 3200 hectares.

More than 250 firefighters, police and support crew had worked around the clock for about one week to contain the blaze, which had several active fire fronts.

Early last week, firefighters were worried about strong wind gusts fanning hot embers across to neighbouring islands, like Russell Island.

Authorities had warned the bushfire would continue to smoulder, with rangers continuing patrols to extinguish spot fires.

If you believe your property is under threat of bushfire, contact Triple Zero (000).