Two men were arrested for starting fires near the state’s central coast, while more than 100 fires continued to burn across the region
A central Queensland man has died and 10 people including seven children who were caught up in the state’s bush fires have had to be airlifted to safety, as authorities urged residents in the path of the Deepwater bush fire to leave the area immediately.
The man died after being hit by a falling tree while clearing a firebreak on his family’s property south of Emerald.
As two men were arrested for starting fires in central Queensland, more than 100 fires continued to burn across the state. Heatwave conditions were expected to continue over the weekend and the prospect of an incoming cyclone threatened to complicate things further.
The Queensland fire and emergency service (QFES) said on Friday night an “extremely large and unpredictable fire” was fast approaching communities in Deepwater, Baffle Creek, Rules Beach and Oyster Creek.
Residents there were urged to evacuate to the nearby Miriam Vale Community Centre. They were warned that firefighters may not be able to protect homes.
“You should not expect a firefighter at your door,” QFES said in a statement.
On Friday night at the rainforest area of Eungella, west of Mackay, 10 people, including six children and an infant, were airlifted out of the area.
