Exhausted Queensland fire crews battle 420 bushfires in a week amid warnings of worst fire season in 70 years
Exhausted Queensland fire crews battle 420 bushfires in a week amid warnings of worst fire season in 70 years
After a rugged week, Queensland is facing up to a "generational fire season" the state hasn't experienced since the 1950s, according to the rural fire brigade chief.
420 blaze it
Missed it by one
Not even summer yet
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Queensland's Assistant Fire Commissioner Peter Hollier has likened the current conditions to those experienced during the devastating 2019 Black Summer bushfires.
In Mount Isa, the town is relying on water-bombing aircraft for the first time as it risks being surrounded by four fires, each started by overheating machinery igniting bone-dry spinifex grass.
Senior Sergeant Jeff Magnus of the District Disaster Management Group for the north west said the record wet season at the start of the year had hindered preparations.
"Then further heavy rain in June and July has prevented back-burning operations so the fuel loads are incredible across the north west," Mr Magnus said.
Queensland's metropolitan firefighters have also received a call to arms to help relieve weary rural fire crews who have been battling blazes since August.
The Queensland Fire Fighters Union's John Oliver said a notification was sent out to urban crews this week at Brisbane City, the Gold Coast, Logan, and Ipswich.
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