A bushfire near Esk is still a concern to crews in the Somerset region — that’s according to the Rural Fire Service.
It comes as weather conditions improve overnight due to a cool change moving into the local area.
A total fire ban remains in place for Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions.
R-F-S Chief Superintendent Alan Gillespie explained to River 949’s Marnie and Campo where the fires were at this morning.
“We had quite a few fires yesterday, which are now either out or well behind containment.
“I suppose the only ones I have any real concern around and we can work on today is the one up near Esk on Esk-Hampton Road at Redbank Creek.
“So we’ve got two fires that are burning that we are managing with the one incident management team” he said.
Video: Fire crews battling bushfires at Tara on the Western Downs. QFES. Supplied.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Alan Gillespie said they believe a number of bushfires have been deliberately lit.
“We had six fires down on the Gold Coast at Bonogin, which are being treated as suspicious.
“We also had a run of four fires in a very short space of time at Grandchester near Ipswich yesterday — so we’ve got a couple of idiots out there,” he said.
The alleged arson incidents are being investigated by police.
Meanwhile, Fire crews are up against it again today on the Granite Belt and Western Darling Downs.
An emergency warning to ‘Leave Immediately’ is now in place in areas of the Glen, Silverwood, Cherry Gully (near Warwick).
Residents at Tara, Montrose North, Wieambilla, the Gums and Kogan are told it’s still not safe to return to their homes.
Closer to home at Redbank Creek near Esk , a smoke warning is now in place with locals urged to take precautions such as closing windows and doors and keeping medication handy.
To find out the latest on the bushfire emergency visit Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website at
https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents
