Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
‘We have never been in this situation before,’ says emergency services commissioner
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
More than 130 fires raging across northeast Australia pose a “catastrophic” threat to thousands of residents, authorities have warned.
Thousands of people have been told to evacuate their homes and families have been urged to stay together as the fires continue to spread.
It was the first time the official “catastrophic” rating had been applied to Queensland, state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, adding that the worst threat was posed by a fast-moving bushfire near the town of Gracemere, some 380 miles north of the state capital, Brisbane.
Several houses have been destroyed since the fires began over the weekend and 34 schools have been closed.
“We have never, ever, in this state, been in this situation before,” said Katarina Carroll, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services commissioner.
“Not at a catastrophic level and this is uncharted waters.”
She said high winds, dry air and severe heatwave conditions that saw temperatures approach 40C were combining to make the danger posed by the fire extreme.
“Thunderstorms are going through those areas as we speak. There will be no rain from thunderstorms, in fact, they are adding to the problem,” Ms Carroll said.
About 8,000 people were ordered to evacuate the town of Gracemere, with hundreds of residents sleeping at an events venue in nearby Rockhampton.
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
Getty
Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
The Mercury/AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AP
EPA
AFP via Getty
Reuters
EPA
EPA
Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP
Reuters
AFP via Getty
AP
EPA
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
USA Today Sports/Reuters
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
EPA
Reuters
TUT.BY/AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
Reuters
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
Reuters
AFP via Getty
Reuters
AP
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AP
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
AFP via Getty
The Bureau of Meteorology was forecasting weather conditions would cool after Wednesday.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?
Hi {{indy.fullName}}