In Australia, bushfire season has started early this year. Fires broke out in several locations in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland over the weekend, including the apple growing centre of Stanthorpe.
Strong winds created very dangerous conditions and destroyed seven houses and many sheds, pipelines, pumps and tanks in the Stanthorpe region. Growers already facing severe water shortages were forced to dip into precious reserves to fight fires.
Apal.org.au quoted Stephen Tancred from Orchard Services as saying: “Five apple and stone fruit orchards have lost a few trees on their perimeters. The flames have damaged netting around the edge, and blown embers have damaged netting further in as well. Hopefully it won’t be more than a few hectares of damage in total.”
APAL QLD director Rosie Savio said while they had had to fight spot fires on her Pozieres orchard, they had been very fortunate to suffer no serious property damage. Rosie said the wind had been terrible, but the immediate danger to Savio Orchards from the fire in pasture and bushland across Rabbit Fence Road had been contained.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has reported the Stanthorpe/Applethorpe fire as ‘contained’.
‘As of Monday 9 September, a bushfire is burning within containment lines in the Stanthorpe and Applethorpe area’ read the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Facebook page. ‘Properties are not under direct threat at this time.’
