Suspicious fires force local mountain closure for community safety
MOUNT Beerwah is closed temporarily due to a series of suspicious fires that have impacted the Sunshine Coast Hinterland over the past four weeks.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) senior ranger, Donna Haslam, said QPWS closed the mountain immediately on October 31, due to safety concerns for the community.
“Over the past 10 days, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service have responded to two bushfires in the Streek Road area, with QPWS rangers and HQ Plantations assisting in containing the fires,” she said.
“Our number one priority is the safety of our staff and visitors to our national parks and protected areas, and we are concerned that these fires may reignite and put lives at risk.
“That’s why we have temporarily closed Mount Beerwah, and the closure will remain in place until further notice or the fire danger passes.”
Ms Haslam added rangers working at the Glass House Mountains will continue to assist QFES to determine the cause of the recent fires, none of which have been caused by planned burn activities.
“Anyone with information about these fires is encouraged to call the department on (07) 5494 3983 or make an anonymous call on 1300 130 372,” she said.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is also investigating suspicious bushfires on Stokes Road in Beerwah on October 29, Dianella Road and Roys Road on October 28, and in Beerwah on Roys Road on October 21.
QPS has found through initial investigations, the fire on Stokes Road was started deliberately and the fire on Dianella and Roys Road is under investigation as to whether it was deliberately lit.
Additionally, the fire in Beerwah on October 21 is also being treated as suspicious.
“Investigations are continuing into all the fires. Anyone with information is being urged to contact police,” a QPS spokesperson said.
