Western Downs recovery starts as fire victims return to their homes
A bushfire recovery effort has begun in the Western Downs township of Tara, with residents in the region told they can “return with caution” as Watch and Act alerts remain for six blazes across Queensland.
Extreme conditions are forecast as fires rage across Queensland for a second week, with more houses under threat as relief crews arrive to help. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services)
But while the clean up begins, Queenslanders have been told to remain vigilant as blazes continue to burn across the state.
People at Goodwood near Bundaberg north of Brisbane, Carnarvon Gorge in the central highlands and Colosseum in central Queensland have been told to prepare to leave on Thursday.
Residents at Southern Downs border towns The Glen, Cherry Gully, Silverwood and Dalveen have been warned it is still not safe to return after 30 rural properties were forced to evacuate.
More than 70 fires are still burning across the state.
However people are starting to return home in and around Tara after firefighters battled a blaze that claimed a life and burned almost 25,000 hectares.
About 300 people were forced to flee their homes when the fire first flared last week.
About 40 were at the Dalby evacuation centre on Wednesday after the green light was given to return.
But many have lost everything.
The ferocious blaze destroyed 58 homes, nine more than claimed by the devastating Black Summer fires.
It could have been worse.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said firefighters had saved 387 homes in the region.
Tara resident Joanne Hill is among those about to see if their property is still standing.
She has been sleeping in her car for almost a week after evacuating with her 81-year-old mother, a handful of clothes and her three dogs last Friday.
Hill heard her neighbour had lost half his property to fire but vowed to rebuild if her worst fears were confirmed upon her return.
“We don’t want to go anywhere,” she told AAP.
“My mum has been here for 20 years. Her partner built that place by hand, she’s got a lot of memories there.
“We are Tara-ites, this is home.”
Caravans and temporary accommodation have been organised for affected locals with about 50 housing support staff assisting.
Queensland Reconstruction Agency CEO Jake Ellwood will visit next week.
More than 80 Victorian firefighters will boost local crews across the state with another 27 expected from New Zealand in coming days.
In another boost for weary firefighters, a cool change is expected with showers and storms forecast from Friday.
QFES Acting Commissioner Stephen Smith thanked firefighters, volunteers and emergency services for their “extraordinary” work as areas such as Tara began to recover.
But he warned people in significant fire danger warning areas to “remain vigilant” and monitor safety advice.
“Please stay engaged. That advice is based on your safety and the broader community,” he said.
A high fire danger rating will remain in north Queensland with no rain forecast, and also affect the northwest, central west and Channel Country in the coming days.
Federal and state government financial assistance has been made available for affected residents and farmers. The Queensland government has pledged $1 million toward a bushfire appeal.
“It’s a fantastic thing if everyone donates. Hopefully it gets to those who need it,” Hill said.
“But we (Tara) are a resilient little community. We will rebuild.”
