A grassfire burning in the Sunshine Coast‘s Coolum Beach has been declared an emergency situation. The fire has been burning since 1pm this afternoon, and is spreading rapidly.
15 emergency crews – including two water tankers and nine rural fire crews – are currently on scene battling the blaze in an attempt to keep it from spreading from the national park area to homes and businesses nearby.
Firies have asked local residents with bushfire plans to put them into action. Those without bushfire plans have been asked to evacuate.
UPDATE: Watch and Act for #Coolum Beach (#SunshineCoast) as at 6.20pm Thurs 19 Jan: https://t.co/fWo2YfjaoJ
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) January 19, 2017
The fire jumped the highway this afternoon, and according to a Queensland Fire Service spokeswoman, is spreading in several directions. Drivers on the Sunshine Coast Highway are being redirected onto Yandina Coolum Road in order to keep them away from the heart of the fire.
WARNING: Fast-moving #fire expected to impact Doonan Bridge Rd, near Coolum, in about an hour https://t.co/nB8DbCyLpD pic.twitter.com/h6BtDrhNdz
— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) January 19, 2017
The current emergency area is bordered by David Low Way, Springfield Avenue, Cinnamon Avenue, Park Crescent and Coolum Yandina Road.
The ABC is reporting that the fire is likely to threaten local property, with local fire service Superintendent Mark Stuart saying:
“Due to the dry fuel load and hot, dry conditions over the last two weeks, the fire has been moving extremely fast.“
An emergency services spokesperson also told the ABC:
“It will be very hot and windy and as the fire approaches it may become increasingly difficult to see, hear or breathe. Residents are strongly advised to leave now if their plan is to do so or if they don’t have a plan. Leaving is the safest option for survival.“
It’s getting a bit close now! #coolumfire #SunshineCoast #coolum #fire #qrfs pic.twitter.com/WC14og0p5Y
— SKYview_Aerial_Photo (@SKYview_Aerial) January 19, 2017
Friends on the Sunny Coast: keep the radio on, keep an eye on the Queensland Fire and Emergency Twitter feed, and if you’re asked to evacuate, book it. We just want you to stay safe.
Source: Brisbane Times.
Image: @MattDaviesCamOp / Instagram.
