Cooler conditions today have provided a little relief for rural firefighters attempting to contain a blaze in the Kinkuna section of the Burrum Coast National Park.
Goodwood Rural Brigade First Officer Richard Greatorex said the crews had endured some challenging days since the fire broke out on Sunday afternoon.
“With it jumping into freehold land last night the intensity really lifted and more than 30 appliances and crews had their hands full in successfully stopping the blaze jumping Woodgate Road,” he said.
“Backburning operations were carried out last night to protect several houses.”
Bulldozer and grader operators who were cutting fire breaks last night reportedly had to abandon their work in the face of a significant fire front.
Mr Greatorex said the use of a bulldozer from Simpson Farms was much appreciated and showed the level of cooperation the brigade received from the community when help was required.
Today, while the fire is still active in several locations, crews have been deployed to use graders and bulldozers to consolidate containment lines and provide protective buffers around several at risk properties.
Bundaberg Regional Council Deputy Mayor Bill Trevor praised Rural Fire Service volunteers for their efforts.
“It’s great to have trained people on the ground and with a good knowledge of the local terrain,” he said.
“There is a great brotherhood that exists between the fire crews and it was fantastic to see crews from throughout the region working side-by-side to contain this fire.”
Cr Trevor said crews had come from brigades in the Gin Gin area as well as several other locations across the region.
“Many of these crews have extensive experience in fighting bush fires,” he said.
First Officer Greatorex said the afternoon heat would provide further challenges for the firefighters with combustible material heating up in the path of the fire.
QFES updated its “watch and act” warning at 10am.
Crews are working to create and strengthen containment lines in the area and backburning will continue. Aircraft are also working in the area.
