Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
North Qld bushfire burns for two weeks
A bushfire burning for two weeks in north Queensland looks set to continue to challenge firefighters, with temperatures predicted rise.
October 3, 2018
Firefighters battling a large bushfire burning for two weeks in north Queensland will have their hands full, with temperatures predicted to rise in the coming days.
The blaze, which began on September 17, is burning on two fire fronts in the Herberton area, around 100 km southwest of Cairns.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the strong 35km/h winds that have fanned the blaze are easing but temperatures are set to rise.
By Friday the maximum temperature is predicted to be around 30C, up from 23C on Tuesday.
“Which is not that great for firefighters,” meteorologist Lauren Pattie told AAP.
Residents were evacuated from the small town of Irvinebank on Monday after firefighters lost control on the western front of the blaze during gusty conditions.
One home and two sheds were burned in the Walsh River community a day earlier on the eastern fire front.
That blaze is now burning north of the Herberton township and travelling in a north-westerly direction, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said.
Motorists are advised to use extreme caution following reports of falling trees in the area.