Dedicated firefighters continue to battle the Kinkuna and Goodwood blaze with support from 10 aircraft and multiple crews on the ground.
The fire season officially started at the beginning of August and local firefighters have been feeling the heat as they’ve fought multiple fires across the region including Doughboy and Innes Park.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) had imposed a local fire ban for North Coast Region residents, which includes the Bundaberg Region, from Wednesday 25 October.
On Sunday firefighters were tasked to a fire at Kinkuna and Goodwood but the dry conditions had the blaze spread quickly.
Firefighters have been working to strengthen fire breaks and conduct backburns in order to contain the fire.
A QFES spokesperson said in total 10 aircraft have been assigned to the incident.
“Aircraft have been requested again today for aerial mapping,” the spokesperson said.
“Forty-three RFS crews have worked on this fire in total, with 15 crews on Tuesday, 18 on Wednesday and 10 today.”
Residents including Naomi Aria have been watching the incredible efforts of fire fighting air crews, constantly refilling along the Burnett River.
Bundaberg Local Disaster Group Management Chair Mayor Jack Dempsey on Tuesday said the fire season had already taken a toll on the hardworking volunteers and firefighters in the region.
“There is a total fire ban in place for the whole of our region,” he said.
“We live in a very caring and resilient community.
“There has been an outstanding effort by our Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and our hard-working volunteers.”
The Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) moved back to ‘Lean Forward’ with the District Disaster Coordination Centre at 5 pm tonight, 2 November, due to the fire threat now being reduced.
Ongoing fire situation
While residents were required to evacuate the area earlier in the week, at 3.05 pm on Thursday 2 November Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) issued ‘Return with caution’ advice.
Properties in the warning area included those between Kinkuna Siding Road, Burrum Coast National Park, Woodgate Road, and Goodwood Road.
The advice said the fire near Gorza Road is now under control and firefighters remained on site.
For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents.
Conserving Childers water supply can help fire fighting efforts
The additional demand arising from the fire fighting efforts has impacted water supply levels in Childers.
Residents connected to or accessing the Childers water supply are encouraged to conserve water wherever possible.
While no water restrictions are in place, reducing water use during a fire situation like the one that has been impacting Kinkuna and Goodwood this week can help Council to prioritise supply to support emergency services.
Council has closed its bulk supply point at Childers to all commercial and domestic customers.
This only affects the town of Childers. Woodgate and other water supply schemes are unaffected.
– Keep up to date with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES updates. For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents
– Find alternate bulk water stations: https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/bulk-water-supply
– Visit the Disaster Dashboard here: https://disaster.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/
Place of refuge now closed
Residents impacted or displaced by the current Kinkuna and Goodwood fire situation are reminded of the emergency relief available through the Childers Neighbourhood Centre.
Support is available throughout the year through the emergency relief program for items such as food, utilities, prescriptions and referrals for clothing, bedding and other household items.
Anyone who wants to know more about the emergency relief program or available support should contact the Childers Neighbourhood Centre on 4130 4690 or pop into the centre at 69 Churchill Street.
Calling it the Kinkuna fire puzzled a lot of people because we have the Kinkuna Estate just out of Woodgate, which resulted in a lot of family phone calls for many of us.
That fire was from Goodwood towards Bundy and in national park land and on private property off Goodwood Rd.