Qld bush fires: Deepwater residents, Baffle Creek, Rules Beach and Oyster Creek must leave

Thousands of people have been evacuated from communities in central Queensland following catastrophic fires yesterday.

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Early today, residents of two other communities – Campwin Beach and Sarina Beach, south of Mackay – were awakened by police and emergency text messages telling them that they were in danger. and that they had to go to safety immediately.

The police made an emergency declaration under the law on public safety and environmental protection regarding fire by bush fires on Sarina beach.

The statement was made at 1:45 am and covers the areas of Sarina Beach and Campwin Beach, including Sarina Coast and Campwin Beach.

The police are evacuating people to this area.

An evacuation center has been set up in Memorial Hall, at the corner of the Bruce Highway and Anzac Street.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said that homes and lives were under threat, in very dangerous conditions, and that firefighters were struggling to affect the fire.

There are currently 106 fires in the state, but favorable overnight conditions have allowed firefighters to make huge progress on a major fire at Gracemere, near Rockhampton. Annastacia Palaszczuk, Prime Minister, said this morning that the city had been "saved".

She said that the firefighters had made tremendous efforts during the night, including the water bomb, had saved the city and said residents would soon be able to return home.

Another good news, another emergency statement – relating to a large burning grbad fire on the Sunshine Coast – was canceled this morning.

The emergency declaration was made under the law on public security and preservation around 12:10 in the morning, while a large grbad fire was burning in the small mountain.

The statement included the boundaries of Kawana Link Road to the west, Caloundra Road to the south, Parklands Boulevard to the east and Meridan Way to the north.

The fire is no longer a threat to the homes and the statement was revoked at 2:48.

In central Queensland, the residents of Deepwater, Baffle Creek, Rules Beach and Oyster Creek were again urged to leave this morning on the approach of a dangerous bush fire.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said at 5 am "an extremely large and intense fire is spreading south towards Coast Road. The fire could have a significant impact on the community.

Firefighters are carrying out burning operations in the area near Rules Beach Road.

It comes after a violent fire last night in the town of Gracemere, in central Queensland, as its 8,000 residents fled during an unprecedented evacuation, some with just the clothes on their backs .

Several houses in the small town, just 15 km from Rockhampton, were already at serious risk of burns, while firefighters struggled fiercely to fight the fire sweeping west through Stanwell.

The fire, which is only one of about 130 still burning at night in Queensland, surprised the community and the authorities as all eyes were turned north to Bundaberg, where Rules had been evacuated earlier in the day.

Yesterday afternoon, the decision was made to evacuate Gracemere and Ambrose, as well as the surrounding area, with residents having only a few hours to go out, schools and other services also closing their doors.

Last night at 7:00 pm, about 80% of the Gracemere community was evacuated "safely and reasonably" to the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll said catastrophic bush fires posed a serious risk to homes and structures in the area.

"We had about 200 fires today," she said.

"The first indications are, yes, we expect (the buildings will be affected).

"Some structures may be on the outskirts of the city already affected.

She added that the fire has already torn some structures of the nearby city of Kabra.

"What's wrong with me is that we can not accurately badess the damage until we get home and the operations have not started yet," Carroll said.

The separate fire at Ambrose – a small town between Rockhampton and Gladstone – crossed the Bruce Highway, cutting off the main arterial road.

Mount Larcom, located nearby, was also evacuated. Residents were urged to seek refuge in Gladstone.

Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said hot weather could fuel fires until next week.

"We expect to be in this heat wave until at least next Tuesday," she said.

"There will be very serious conditions … now until then."

Dianna Eadie of the Bureau of Meteorology said that the winds are expected to dissipate last night (WED) and that the risk of other storms was lower.

"We are also losing the potential for heavy storms that could ignite more fires," she said.

"There is always very high fire risk in much of the state."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country as a whole was behind the areas affected by the Queensland fire and urged residents to follow all instructions from the authorities for their evacuation.

He added that the Commonwealth Disaster Assistance Plan had been activated, with badistance provided by the Australian Defense Forces and that financial badistance would be ongoing.

Firefighting services have been sent to the state since New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.

Mr. Morrison urged the people of Gracemere to evacuate their country to Rockhampton if the authorities requested it.

"I know it will be very painful for them and their families, but know this. The whole country comes to your aid. The whole country is here to help in this time of great need, "he said.

"The messages that I think are important to today's Australians, and particularly to the people of Queensland, northern Queensland and central Queensland, are simply to follow the advice. You can rebuild a house but you can not rebuild a family. "

He said the ADFs in Amberley had provided support so far, as well as seven NSW planes.

Financial badistance has also been triggered through joint disaster recovery funds.

"They have been activated, particularly in the Gladstone areas, and provide financial support for personal hardship and distress, as well as for various counter-disaster operations conducted by the Queensland Government."

Morrison said neither he nor the deputy prime minister planned to go immediately to the area.

"Our advice is that people need to focus on firefighting and firefighting efforts. We will therefore continue to monitor and manage the following – regarding the Canberra Commonwealth response and in close cooperation with Emergency Management Australia, "he said.

11:20 p.m.: The Queensland police have announced that the Bruce Highway, south of Mount Larcom, would remain closed all night, at least until tomorrow.

The fire front is on the roadway, although the police have identified a number of burning trees that could pose a threat to motorists.

10:30 p.m.: QFES advised residents to Deep water, Baffle Creek, Beach Rules and Oyster Creek leave now at 22:30.

"Currently, Wednesday, November 28 at 22:30, an extremely large and intense fire is spreading south towards Coast Road. The fire could have a significant impact on the community, "says QFES.

"Fire crews work to contain the fire, but firefighters may not be able to protect all property. You should not wait for a firefighter at your door. Electricity, water and mobile phone services are likely to be lost. "

Firefighters are conducting burns in the back near Rules Beach Road.

THE ROADS OF GRACEMERE STILL CLOSED

The Rockhampton Regional Council said Wednesday at 10:30 pm that they saw a lot of messages that the roads Gracemere have reopened – this is incorrect. Residents should not try to return to Gracemere.

Police said the roads leading to Gracemere would remain closed overnight with roadblocks in place.

22h: Residents of Mount Larcom The townships that were evacuated can not return home because the Bruce Road remains closed while the firefighters fight the intense fire.

QFES said a bush fire had crossed Mount Larcom Township and that residents in the east of the community had to be ready to follow their survival plan and prepare to leave.

At 9 pm, a bushfire crossed Mount Larcom heading south-east along Gladstone Mount Larcom Road and on both sides of Bruce Road.

It is currently burning towards the city of Yarwun.

A bush fire in Darlymple Heights could worsen and residents are advised to be prepared to leave.

At 2120, a large fire was burning in an easterly and westerly direction towards Schumanns Road and Chelmans Road at Darlymple Heights.

In the meantime, the Queensland Local Fire and Emergency Service informed the local Rockhampton Disaster Management Unit that no property had been damaged in Gracemere as a result of the fires – but Gracemere's roads remain closed.

QFES also informed the LDMG at the last briefing that the fire had slowed around Gracemere.

About 400 evacuees attended the shelter at Rockhampton Showgrounds with Red Cross staff and Council on-site.

A new update should be provided later tonight, subject to conditions.

20h: The authorities declared an urgency around the Gracemere area where a dangerous bush fire falls on the township, 11 km southwest of Rockhampton.

A Queensland police statement said the statement was made under the Public Safety and Preservation Act at 3:50 pm

Residents of the area are asked to evacuate to the Rockhampton Showgrounds and register with the police.

Several houses and structures in Gracemere Authorities warned that the conditions of the heat wave should last until next week.

Firefighters work hard to fight a fire in Stanwell who was heading to the Gracemere area near Rockhampton. Residents were also invited to leave.

At 7:00 pm, about 80% of the Gracemere community had been evacuated "safely and reasonably" to the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll said catastrophic bush fires posed a serious risk to homes and structures in the area.

"We had close to 200 fires today, she says.

"The first indications are, yes, we expect (the buildings will be affected). There are structures that may already be affected on the outskirts of the city. In Kabra, we saw it too.

"My problem is that we can not accurately badess the damage until we get home and the operations are under way."

Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said hot weather could persist until next week.

"We expect to be in this heat wave until at least next Tuesday," she said.

"There will be very serious conditions … now until then."

Dianna Eadie of the Bureau of Meteorology said the winds are expected to dissipate tonight and the risk of further thunderstorms is lower.

"We are also losing the potential for heavy storms that could ignite more fires," she said.

"There is always very high fire risk in much of the state."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged residents to follow all instructions from the authorities to evacuate the premises.

He added that the Commonwealth Disaster Assistance Plan had been activated, with badistance provided by the Australian Defense Forces and that financial badistance would be ongoing.

Firefighting services have been sent to the state since New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.

Mr. Morrison urged the people of Gracemere to evacuate their country to Rockhampton if the authorities requested it.

"I know it will be very painful for them and their families, but know this. The whole country comes to your aid. The whole country is here to help in this time of great need, "he said.

"The messages that I think are important to today's Australians, and particularly to the people of Queensland, northern Queensland and central Queensland, are simply to follow the advice. You can rebuild a house but you can not rebuild a family. "

He said the ADFs in Amberley had provided support so far, as well as seven NSW planes.

Financial badistance has also been triggered through joint disaster recovery funds.

"They have been activated, particularly in the Gladstone areas, and provide financial support for personal hardship and distress, as well as for various counter-disaster operations conducted by the Queensland Government."

Morrison said neither he nor the deputy prime minister planned to go immediately to the area.

"Our advice is that people need to focus on firefighting and firefighting efforts. So we will continue to monitor and manage things – with respect to the Canberra Commonwealth response and in close cooperation with emergency management in Australia, "he said.

A little good news emerged from the Deep water fire, with the QFES at 18:20, declbadifying the bush fire warning for Baffle Creek and Deepwater's "emergency situation" to "watch and act" by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Department's Rural Fire Department said Capricornia and central regions of the Highlands and Coalfield as under a catastrophic fire danger, the highest level on the scale.

Eight thousand people are evacuated from Gracemere, near RockhamptonKatarina Carroll, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, said the state was facing catastrophic fire conditions.

Paramedics evacuate approximately 80 seniors from a retirement home Gracemere. It is understood that 20 will require a minibus and will be driven to the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Rockhampton SES controller Eddie Cowie said there were two directed shooting fronts Gracemere and Stanwell near the Capricornia highway.

"This fire will only increase significantly with its intensity," said Mr. Cowie.

The fires took the region by surprise, he said, raising many concerns.

But the inhabitants were asked to stay calm.

Gracemere has never seen compulsory evacuation in 150 years of history.

"We have never been in this situation before in this state," said Commissioner Carroll.

"We did not have a catastrophic level. These are unexplored waters.

Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said this afternoon that the state of the country was facing fire conditions never seen before.

"It's the first time we have this category in Queensland," she said.

"Unprecedented, unexplored.

"There is a fire that moves quickly from Stanwell at Gracemere.

"We are announcing an evacuation of Gracemere at Rockhampton.

"The conditions are catastrophic. We need an orderly evacuation of Gracemere at Rockhampton Showgrounds. "

Near 200 bushfires burn through the state, with several having destroyed several properties.

Twenty-nine public schools have been closed in central Queensland at the request of emergency services, while conditions are deteriorating in the region. They will remain closed tomorrow.

Catholic and independent schools also indicated that their schools in the affected areas would not be open.

Full details can be found right here.

BLUE BRUCE HIGHWAY NEAR GLADSTONE

Residents of a township of Gladstone The area was told to leave their homes immediately on the approach of a bushfire Ambrose.

The "fast-moving intense fire" is heading south-east towards Mount Larcom and currently has an impact on Taylors Lane just three kilometers from the township.

The fire should have a significant impact on the community.

At the same time, the Queensland Police reported that the Bruce Road was completely closed in both directions in a township in the Gladstone area.

The highway is completely closed from Taylors Lane to the south until the municipality of Mount Larcom.

QPS urges people to consider stopping in another township.