Residents of Sunshine Coast are being alerted to the imminent peril of a rapidly-spreading grass fire, reported in the vicinity of the Glasshouse Mountains. Several locals have been informed to brace themselves for evacuation as the situation could escalate at any moment.
In a recent warning issued by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services for the Beerwah region, residents within the properties bordered by Steve Irwin Way, Irwin Rd, Mawsons Rd and the Bruce Hwy, inclusive of Holt Rd, were enjoined to prepare to vacate their homes.
The authorities urgently advised residents, “The situation could swiftly deteriorate; hence, initiate protective measures and prepare to evacuate.” They further added, “Our firefighters are currently working to control the fire. But do not expect a firefighter at your doorstep. Aerial firefighting teams are supporting ground crews.”
As part of the disaster management strategy, the Bruce Highway and other key roads such as Roys Rd, would be restricted, potentially causing traffic disruptions as residents strive to find a safe place.
Simultaneously, Australia is grappling with the dual threat of bushfires and an intense heatwave that is anticipated to establish new heat records for September, affecting millions of Australians till Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has flagged a “severe heatwave” alert for the NSW south coast. The prevailing temperatures, ranging from the lower to mid-30s, are predicted to sustain until the middle of the week. Uncharacteristically high by at least 10C to 15C for this period of the year, this heatwave is uncommonly stubborn.
The bureau expects that records will likely crumble under the relentless heat, which is projected to register above 30C for several consecutive days until conditions abate with the anticipated arrival of a cold front on Wednesday.
This heatwave poses significant health risks, particularly for infants and the elderly. Health officials have been proactively addressing the situation.
Executive Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, Jeremy McAnulty, advised residents to mitigate heat exposure and limit physical activity outdoors for the next few days. He emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and urged residents not to wait until they feel parched to drink water.
Mr. McAnulty further posed that residents should primarily spend their day indoors, preferably with curtains and blinds shut to keep heat out. For those without air conditioning, he suggested the use of a fan, spraying water, or soaking a towel to moisten skin as measures to maintain coolness.
With temperatures in Sydney predicted to touch 33C on Tuesday and 34C on Wednesday, Brisbane is expected to follow suit with a forecast of 34C on Thursday. Meanwhile, severe illnesses, hospitalizations and even fatalities can occur as a result of heat exposure.
Dry weather has sparked numerous bushfires across Queensland, with the fire department issuing a warning for the central Queensland town of Emerald on Monday morning, advising citizens to remain inside to escape the smoke generated from a fire along Selma Rd.
Over the past weekend, fires erupted near Bundaberg, Townsville, and the Sunshine Coast. In the town of Miles, located around 200km west of Toowoomba in Queensland, residents were alerted about a fire that broke out at Ayton Rd on Saturday, urging them to be ready to evacuate their properties. This swiftly spreading fire advanced towards Pine Ridge Rd, leading authorities to issue an evacuation alert around 1.38 pm on Saturday.
As the eastern coast combats increasing heat, the Bureau of Meteorology has signalled various strong wind alerts for the Western Australian coast, specifically for the Ningaloo Coast, Gascoyne Coast, Leeuwin Coast, Albany Coast, and Esperance Coast for Monday and Tuesday.
This suggests an increase in temperatures across Perth as the week progresses, with the bureau forecasting a peak of 27C on Thursday, before a marginal drop to a cooler 24C on Friday.
