2023 Darling Downs fires
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| 2023 Darling Downs fires | |
|---|---|
| Location | Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia |
| Statistics | |
| Cost | Unknown |
| Date(s) | 23 October 2023 - present |
| Burned area | 27000 acres burned |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Land use | Urban/rural fringe areas, farmland and forest reserves |
| Buildings destroyed | 32 buildings destroyed |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Non-fatal injuries | Unknown |
The 2023 Darling Downs fires is an ongoing Australian bushfire that began on 23 October 2023 after emergency warnings were issued for multiple bushfires on the Darling Downs region but particularly concentrated in the Western Downs Region and in Milmerran Woods. More than 40 fires are currently burning across the Darling Downs, with 2 fatalities in the town of Tara.[1][2]
Western Downs fires[edit]
On 23 October 2023, emergency warnings were issued for multiple bushfires burning in the Western Downs region, with calls to residents to evacuate the towns of Tara, Kogan and surrounding areas, with evacuation areas set up at the Western Downs Regional Council centre.[3]
On 25 October, the winds changed the fires direction towards the township of Tara, forcing the evacuation centre there to be closed with 173 people to be evacuated to Dalby.[4] The Tara fires maintained intensity over wednesday with the front 15 kilometres from Tara, with firefighters attempting to create fire breaks. The body of a missing man was found near Tara, and a woman died at a house in Tara due to suspected cardiac event.[5]
On 27 October, more than 200 people were involved in fighting the Western Downs fires, in addition to 44 interstate firefighters involved. About 280 people were sheltering at evacuation centres in Dalby and Chinchilla, as well as reported looting in the region.[6]
On 28 October, at 1am on saturday, QFES issued multiple emergency warnings for immediate evacuation of the towns of Tara, Wieambilla, and The Gums.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ "'Worst possible outcome': Second body found after bushfires tear through Queensland's southeast". News.com.au. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Belot, Henry; Press, Australian Associated (26 October 2023). "Dozens of fires rage across NSW and Queensland but deadly Tara blaze nearly contained". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Emergency warnings issued for fast-moving fires in southern Queensland". ABC News. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Queensland fires: evacuation centre evacuated as raging fire heads toward Tara township". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Body found as southern Queensland bushfires burn properties in tinderbox conditions". ABC news. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Interstate, NZ help for weary Queensland firefighters". Yahoo. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "More residents told to evacuate as Queensland fires spread across Western Downs and Gladstone regions". 7 News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.