A fierce bushfire raged through the small town of Dirranbandi, located about 500 kilometers southwest of Brisbane, forcing local residents to evacuate on Tuesday night. This sudden blaze rapidly escalated, prompting authorities to declare an emergency at 8 p.m. local time. Approximately 600 residents faced the alarming reality of leaving their homes behind as the flames threatened their community.
The fire, initially sparking from small grass fires to the southeast and northeast of Dirranbandi, expanded frighteningly fast, stretching to about eight kilometers by the time officials issued the evacuation order. Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O'Toole expressed her astonishment, recounting how the situation escalated alarmingly within just ninety minutes. "This is not a familiar situation for our community; normally, we don't experience bushfires to this extent," she remarked.
With the fire forcing families from their homes, nearby communities swiftly opened their doors, providing shelter and support to the displaced. An evacuation center was established approximately 80 kilometers away, where residents were encouraged to bring bedding and necessary items. Local establishments, including bakeries, remained open overnight to offer food and comfort to those needing refuge. Some evacuees managed to stay with family and friends, but others had to spend their first night sleeping inside their vehicles.
Health services also had to adapt, as patients from the Dirranbandi Multipurpose Health Service were relocated to St. George Hospital, ensuring their safety amid the chaos. At one point, the fire had knocked out power to around 400 houses along with businesses, complicading the community's efforts to respond to the crisis.
Locals jumped at the opportunity to assist, partnering with over twenty fire crews, including those equipped with aerial water bombing capabilities. They used their own machinery and labor to help build containment lines around the fire, managing to contain the blaze which scorched roughly 1700 hectares of land.
By Wednesday evening, authorities began to give the all-clear for residents to return, advising them to do so with extreme caution. Power and internet services were also restored, and thankfully, there were no reported damages to residential structures. Despite this small victory, locals remain cautious with the threat of the fire flaring up again. Crews remained vigilant on Thursday, keeping watch as weather forecasts indicated changing conditions.
"We still have fire crews prepared for anything unexpected—these situations can change rapidly," Mayor O'Toole advised the community, urging them to stay alert and ready. Alongside the immediate threat to life and property, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of extreme heatwave conditions set to emerge over the state, with soaring temperatures predicted to reach up to 42 degrees Celsius.
The Dirranbandi bushfire is just one of many active blazes across Queensland, with dozens still burning throughout the region. A "Prepare to Leave" warning remained active near Kogan, another rural community west of Brisbane, adding to the urgency surrounding fire safety this season.
"We have done incredible work with the community and the rural fire service over the last couple of days, and we’re determined to face any challenges head-on," Mayor O'Toole concluded, highlighting the resilience and communal spirit evident during the emergency.
