Caloundra fire – Local Disaster Management Group moves to alert status

The Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group has moved to alert status as fires continue to burn in the Caloundra region.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is advising residents in the vicinity of Little Mountain to finalise their bushfire plans.

A large, fast moving fire is travelling in a south-west to north-easterly direction and is expected to impact the western side of Racecourse Road, the southern side of Caloundra Road and Corbould Racecourse within the next two hours.

A temporary place of shelter/neighbourhood safe place at Lake Kawana Community Centre in Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina, has reopened for any residents or visitors affected by the very smoky conditions.

The smoke is expected to remain in the Caloundra area throughout the day and affected residents are advised to take precautionary actions to minimise their exposure to smoke, particularly if susceptible to respiratory conditions.

Council’s waste facility at Caloundra will be closed for the remainder of the day due to the prevailing conditions.

The Sippy Creek Pound is open for any pets or animals requiring shelter.

The community is asked to avoid the fire affected area to allow emergency services crews the best possible access.

Residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if their property comes under threat.

Residents should consider taking precautionary measures including:

-Putting on protective clothing;

-Drinking lots of water;

-Moving car/s to a safe location;

-Closing windows and doors and shutting blinds;

-Bringing pets inside, restraining them (leash, cage or secure room) and providing water;

-Wetting down fine fuels close to buildings;

-Removing garden furniture, doormats and other items;

-Sealing all gaps under doors and screens;

-Filling containers with water - eg bath, sinks, buckets, wheelie bins;

-Having ladders ready for roof space access (inside) and against roof (outside);

-Having a generator or petrol powered pump ready; and

-Checking and patrolling outside for embers, extinguishing any spot fires and seeking shelter as the fire front arrives.