3pm – Tuesday 7 January

The Queensland Rural Fire Service reports that:

In addition to the Watch and Act Message for Stradbroke Island, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advises multiple crews are responding to a bushfire currently burning in inaccessible country in the vicinity of Brown Lake. Crews are monitoring the situation and water bombing aircraft will be utilised. The fire may cause a significant smoke and ash hazard in the Amity Point area. People are advised to avoid the area due to the heavy smoke, which is making visibility on roads very poor. Residents are asked to close their windows and doors and keep their medication close by if susceptible to respiratory illness. Motorists should also take care and drive to conditions.

2.30pm Tuesday 7 January – REDUCED FERRY SERVICES TO STRADDIE

Due to windy conditions that affect loading and unloading passengers at Dunwich, Stradbroke Ferries’ fast walk on ferry is no longer operating this afternoon. In addition, only one vehicle barge is operating, the Quandamooka. The Big Red Cat is not operating. The Quandamooka will continue to run as long as conditions are suitable. It is planned to leave Cleveland at 4pm and 6pm and depart Dunwich at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. There are no other vehicle barges. The Stradbroke Flyer (Gold Cats) for walk on passengers docks at One Mile at Dunwich and is still operating as usual.

1.20pm Tuesday 7 January

IMPORTANT WATCH AND ACT ISSUED for #Straddie by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, please read on

WATCH and ACT Message for #StradbrokeIsland. QFES is advising residents in the vicinity of Myora Springs and Gatumba Street, North Stradbroke Island to start enacting their bushfire plans and prepare for a bushfire in their area.

At 12:30pm a large bushfire was located near Brown Lake and is heading towards the Myora Springs area fanned by 50-60km/hour south-easterly winds.

The large, fast moving bushfire is travelling in a north-westerly direction and is expected to impact the area of Myora Springs in the next two hours.

This fire is moving quickly and firefighters are experiencing difficulty in controlling it. Spot fires may occur ahead of the fire front and embers are also being thrown from the fire.

Residents are strongly advised to be prepared to relocate to a safer area if required. Leaving is the safest option for survival in a bushfire.

Well prepared and defended homes can offer safety during the fire and may be defendable.

Currently, multiple fire crews are working to contain the blaze but firefighters may not be able to protect every affected property and residents should not expect a firefighter at their door.

Residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if their property comes under threat.

9.10am Tuesday 7 January

Main Beach south of the causeway and Main Beach camp grounds remain closed. The airport and lakes (Blue, Brown, Keyholes) remain closed. There is an open fire ban in place.

While North Stradbroke is open for visitors, there are still active fires and closures of roads, lakes and camp grounds.

Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing has also this morning issued a direction for “no open fires or campfires on North Stradbroke Island” until further notice. This is an enforceable direction.

Alfred Martin Way (formerly Tazi Road), Brown Lake, Blue Lake, Keyholes, the airstrip and Main Beach south of the causeway (including the camp grounds) are currently closed.

There are still active fires in those areas along Alfred Martin Way. Crews are currently in the areas fighting the fires.

If you are planning to camp on Main Beach, contact Straddie Camping on (07) 3409 9668 or via email on info@straddiecamping.com.au visit the Straddie Camping Facebook page for specific information.

East Coast Road is open, however there are active fires in this area and near Yarraman Mine Road.

There is no current threat to people or property.

There have been no injuries or homes lost to the fire, which began on 29 December.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES are conducting aerial surveillance this morning to see full picture of fire.

The rain yesterday afternoon assisted the firefighting effort.

The emergency situation declared by the Queensland Police Service for the island under the Public Safety Presesrvation Act was revoked yesterday afternoon by police.

Residents and visitors are urged to be careful on the island and follow directions of emergency services personnel.

Continue to stay up to date by following our Facebook, Twitter and news site updates.

We will be updating this page with all of the latest updates about Straddie on Tuesday 7 January 2014.

9.00pm

Watch and act message CANCELLED for Straddie

2.30pm

New update: Reduced ferry services to Straddie – Tuesday 7 January

1.20pm

New update: Straddie bushfire update: Tuesday 7 January

9.10am

New update: Straddie bushfire update: 9.10am Tuesday 7 January

• Main Beach south of the causeway and Main Beach camp grounds remain closed. The airport and lakes (Blue, Brown, Keyholes) remain closed.
• Alfred Martin Way (Tazi Road) closed. East Coast Road is open, however there are active fires in this area and near Yarraman Mine Road.
• There is an open fire ban in place.
• There is no current threat to people or property.
• While North Stradbroke is open for visitors, there are still active fires. Residents and visitors are urged to be careful on the island and follow directions of emergency services personnel.
• Read the update in full Straddie bushfire update: 9.10am Tuesday 7 January

7.30am

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES, Queensland Police Service and Redland City Council invite North Stradbroke Island residents and visitors to attend a public meeting where the latest fire information will be provided and questions can be answered.

Meeting time
Dunwich
10am
Dunwich Community Hall
Corner Ballow Road and Junner Street, Dunwich

For those who can’t make it, we will be live updating our news site with information from the meetinghttps://rcc.news/

For more information on the fire visit:

• Redland City Council website – www.redland.qld.gov.au – and Facebook page
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website –www.fire.qld.gov.au – and Facebook page
• Queensland Police website – www.police.qld.gov.au – and Facebook page
• Energex website – www.energex.com.au – and Facebook page.

Residents at the northern end of North Stradbroke Island, including Dunwich, are being warned of significant smoke levels from 2pm today and overnight as a result of planned backburning that will occur at North Stradbroke Island.   

Local Disaster Recovery Committee Chair and Redland City Deputy Mayor Alan Beard said residents could expect smoky conditions as a result of the fire.

“Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised of large-scale backburning at four separate locations on North Stradbroke Island starting at around 2pm,” Cr Beard said.

Where there are high levels of smoke, Queensland Health recommends:  

• minimise your physical activity outdoors.
• when indoors, keep the windows and doors closed. Switch air conditioners 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 place
• when indoors, avoid other sources of air pollution including smoke from cigarettes and woodstoves
• those with asthma should follow their personal asthma treatment plan
• anyone experiencing breathing problems or chest pain should seek medical advice immediately
• 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.

QFES advises that the backburning will help increase the buffer zone and strengthen containment lines on the north and north-eastern side of Dunwich.

North Stradbroke Island Councillor Craig Ogilvie said the respite centre at Dunwich Community Hall would remain open overnight.

“Power is still out at Amity Point, but it is hoped that Energex can restore power through use of generators by later this afternoon.

“It is likely that East Coast Road will close shortly after 2pm due to smoke.”