WITH five cattle properties already burnt out, fire crews will continue to battle wildfires today in order to save grazing land from further damage in the Gaeta region, north of Gin Gin.
For almost a week now, graziers have stood shoulder to shoulder with fire officers and volunteers battling five fires which have consumed tinder-dry grasses and pastures across some 30,000 hectares. While a lightning strike on Retreat Station caused one blaze, it's still unclear how the other blazes started.
Some locals have blamed rubbish burning by semi-rural block owners or inexperienced backburning practices.
In a region which has received little rain since March this year, the fire moved quickly, ripping through fencelines, paddocks and leaping major roads in places to burn 12 properties so far. Some of the worst hit properties are along the winding and partially sealed Kalpowar Road.
Multiple emergency services crews including taskforces from NSW, Brisbane, Ipswich and local brigades have been brought in to fight the fires.
Fire crews have been using graders and bulldozers to construct containment lines and local landmarks as firebreaks.
At the time of going to press, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) reported that the fire did not threaten any property.
The QFRS says fighting is likely to continue for several days yet.
Both sides of Kalpowar Road resemble blackened wastelands, with white ash and smouldering tree stumps a sign of the fire's intensity. Miraculously, no houses or human lives have been lost to the blaze; however, there have been reports of cattle deaths. The fires could not have come at a worse time, with most breeder herds calving and a lack of subsoil moisture presenting little hope of immediate regrowth.
A base command station has been established on Jamie Peters' Hazeldean Station. When Queensland Country Life spoke to Mr Peters on Monday, he'd had his first night's sleep in three days.
On Tuesday evening he was back out with crews fighting through the night.
Just under half of the 2428ha (6000ac) property has been burnt out.
Well-known cattle industry identity Hazle Marland, Mount Wallaby, said she had never seen a fire this bad.
Mrs Marland said she watched the flames slip across 6070ha (15,000ac) in two hours.
"It's just been so intense having five different fires to contend with, and logistically, just getting gear to those locations," she said.
The fire has completely razed the family's neighbouring 2023ha (5000ac) Retreat block.
"We were hoping to leave some cattle there on hay but we'll have to reassess that," Mrs Marland said.
Cattle management has become an issue with many fences in ruins.
"We'll just have to bulldoze them down and rebuild. As a positive thing, no-one was hurt and in our case we didn't lose everything - we've still got a home."
Michael St Henry, Glen Eva, Gaeta, said the ferocity of the blaze was incredible. About 1619ha (4000ac) of his 2023ha (5000ac) property was burnt out.
Amazingly, the fire only scorched a new set of cattle yards. In a sign of the random nature of the blaze, two molasses tanks were destroyed, leaving a thick, sticky black pool, while little of a plastic water tank remains in tact.
Two helicopters have been assisting with water-bombing operations.
Hilly country and thick smoke has hindered the establishment of radio communication networks, with communication crews from Brisbane being sent up to assist.
While occupied properties have been defended, there was concern the fire would reach the vast tracks of unmanned forestry plantations - leftovers from the collapsed Great Southern managed investment scheme.
Most graziers have estimated it could take three to four years to recover from the fires. Offers of assistance with cattle feed have been flowing into the district.
However, accepting hay from unknown sources presents problems of its own.
While thankful for the assistance, some graziers have expressed concern about not knowing exactly where the hay, particularly baled sugarcane tops, is coming from and the risk of herd contamination.
Bushfire victims could be eligible for financial support.
"Any individual who does suffer personal hardship as a result of the bushfires should call the Department of Communities for assistance," Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.
Personal hardship grants of $170 per person and up to $780 per family may be available for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means.
Mean-tested Essential Household Contents Grants are also available for some residents.
This can be up to $1660 for an individual applicant or $4980 for a couple or family.
The NDRRA also includes concessional loans and freight subsidies to primary producers for carry-on and re-establishment costs and assist their recovery.
The State and Federal Governments are treating the fires in Queensland as one natural disaster event rather than a number of individual occurrences.
Fire bans will remain in place for the following Local Government areas in Queensland: Richmond; North Burnett; Sunshine Coast; Fraser Coast; South Burnett; Gympie; Cherbourg; Bundaberg; Somerset; Lockyer Valley; Ipswich City; Scenic Rim; Logan City; Gold Coast; Brisbane City; Redland City; Moreton Bay; Toowoomba; Western Downs; Southern Downs; Paroo; Balonne; Goondiwindi; Maranoa; Murweh; Palm Island; Banana; Gladstone; Rockhampton; Central Highlands; Woorabinda; Isaac; Mackay; Hinchinbrook; Townsville; Whitsunday; Charters Towers; Flinders; Richmond; and Burdekin.
Fire bans have been extended until midnight Monday, October 26 and may be extended again if dangerous fire conditions continue across the State.
Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements for five local government areas including the Bundaberg and South Burnett areas were activated on Monday this week.
* For information on support, contact the Department of Communities: North Coast Region (07) 5459 8600; Central Queensland Region (07) 4938 6996; South East Region (07) 5583 4400; South West Region, (07) 4699 4222.
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