Australia: Catastrophic fire weather warnings in Queensland /update 1

Event

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a “catastrophic” fire weather warning, the highest level on a six-tier scale, for several districts in the state of Queensland on Wednesday, November 28. The affected districts are: Capricornia, Central Highlands, and Coalfields. A “severe” fire weather warning, the second-highest level, is in effect in Central Coast and Whitsundays, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Southeast Coast. Evacuation orders have been issued for the threatened districts. The warnings are expected to remain in effect through at least November 29.

Over 130 bushfires are currently ongoing in the state of Queensland. Some 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) have been burned, along with a number of properties. Hundreds of firefighters are currently working to contain the blazes, amid high temperatures and low humidity. The state capital Brisbane remains unaffected.

Context

Bushfires are uncommon in Queensland at this time of year given it is the wet season. Experts say the fires have been provoked by the current state of drought caused by a very dry winter.

Advice

Individuals present in Queensland are advised to action their Bushfire Survival Plan, keep abreast of fire and weather warnings, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities, notably evacuation orders.