78 bushfires recorded in southeastern Queensland
In the Australian state of Queensland, a large bushfire near Plainland in the Lockyer Valley temporarily closed the Warrego Highway between Brisbane and Toowoomba. In total, 78 bushfires were recorded in the southeast of the state, ABC News Australia reports.
Highway closure and evacuation
A warning for residents to prepare to leave because of the fire in Plainland was issued at about 3:45 p.m. The Warrego Highway was closed in both directions due to the fire, but traffic was fully restored at approximately 5:30 p.m. The warning level was later lowered to advice to monitor updates.
The fire is expected to continue for several more days. Lockyer Valley Regional Mayor Tanya Milligan said that up to 20 homes could have been under threat. Police went door to door at these homes, while some residents voluntarily left their properties.
According to Milligan, northerly winds complicated the situation, making the spread of the fire unpredictable. Twenty-six firefighting vehicles and two water-bombing aircraft were operating at the scene. The fire also crossed the highway.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Heat complicates firefighting efforts
Queensland Fire Department Deputy Commissioner Joel Gordon said that hot and dry weather had created difficult conditions for fighting the fire. Fire services are monitoring fires in Sandy Creek, Plainland and Prenzlau, among other locations.
In parts of southeastern Queensland, temperatures were 5–10 degrees above average September levels. Senior meteorologist Steven Hadley noted that temperatures in inland areas reached 34–36 degrees Celsius, the highest September readings since 2019.
A 24-hour fire ban was introduced the previous day for Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley and was due to remain in force until midnight.
