Queensland firefighting aircraft on standby amid north west fires

The Queensland Fire Department is maintaining an aerial presence in north west Queensland to monitor and contain fires sparked by electrical storms. Firefighting aircraft, including a Cessna 210 for surveillance and a rotary-wing water bomber equipped with a 1300-litre Bambi Bucket, are stationed in Mount Isa to support landholders and containment efforts.

North West Rural Fire Service inspector Paul Dunn reported that 16 fires have been identified, spanning from Dajarra in the south to Normanton in the north. Notable areas under monitoring include the Four Ways, Devoncourt Station near Cloncurry, Pilgrim Station, and Stanbroke. As of last Friday, several fires were estimated to have burned between 1,000 and 2,000 hectares each, though the total impact on grazing properties is still being assessed.