2 December 2018
Seventy-five Victorian firefighters and emergency management personnel will be deployed to Queensland to assist local crews as more than 120 fires continue to burn across the state.
A total of 34 personnel from Forest Fire Management Victoria (which includes Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria) and 41 personnel from Country Fire Authority will depart from Melbourne over the coming three days to replace the 85 Victorian personnel that were deployed earlier this week.
State Response Controller and Acting CFA Chief Officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the second Victorian contingent will relieve personnel already in Queensland and allow them to return home, while providing much needed support to local crews who have been battling fires in very hot conditions.
“Our aim is to support our Queensland and interstate colleagues tackling multiple significant fires burning through central Queensland, particularly as more unprecedented weather is forecast,” Dr Rotarangi said.
“Personnel already in Queensland have done a fantastic job working alongside local firefighters and crews from New South Wales, Australian Capital Territoy, Western Australia and Tasmania in very challenging conditions and we thank them for their efforts.”
Firefighting crews deployed to Queensland earlier this week have been helping to manage fires burning in the Canarvon and Bundaburg areas, while other emergency management personnel have been based at Rockhampton, Mackay and Agnes Water.
Queensland residents are urged to remain vigilant as conditions are expected to remain challenging, with strong winds and temperatures expected to soar to 45 degrees over the coming days.
The unprecedented fire conditions facing Queensland serves as a timely reminder for Victorians to be prepared as summer officially begins.
“It is important to understand and know the risks in your local area, have a plan for what you and your family will do in the event of a fire and know where to access the latest emergency information,” said Dr Rotarangi.
Download the VicEmergency app or visit emergency.vic.gov.au for more information.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.