Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade

29/08/2026

26/08/2026

Residents

With the current wind direction you.may have noticed some smoke around.

This is coming from the current Bluewater fire.

Do what you need to protect yourself if you need from the incoming smoke.

Also a timely reminder to have your bushfire plans in place and property protection in place.

For all current warnings, updates and mapping, go to https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents.

STAY INFORMED - Bluewater (near Townsville) - fire as at 1:39pm Wednesday, 26 August 2026

Warning level: ADVICE

Warning area: Bluewater and Bluewater Park

A fire is burning near the intersection of Forestry Road and Topaz Close, Bluewater.

Stay informed because the situation could change.

What you should do:

- Check for warning updates often and listen to your local radio station.

- Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close. Smoke can make it hard to breathe.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.

- If you are in danger, call Triple Zero (000) now.

Impacts:

- Some roads may be closed or impacted by smoke. It could be hard to see. You may need to drive a different way.

What firefighters are doing:

- Firefighters are working to control the fire.

More information:

- For all fire warnings, visit the Qld Fire website. https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents.

- Follow Queensland Fire Department on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/qldfiredepartment.

- For road closures, visit the QLD Traffic website. https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ or call 13 19 40.

- For local information visit your Council’s Local Disaster Dashboard.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584).

- Natural disasters can affect your mental health. If you need help contact:

- Lifeline. https://www.lifeline.org.au/ on 13 11 14.

- Beyond Blue. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ on 1300 224 636.

- Kids Helpline. https://kidshelpline.com.au/ on 1800 551 800.

- If you need translation, call TIS National on 131 450.

- Learn how to get ready for a bushfire on the Qld Fire website. https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/bushfires - Prepare - Bushfire.

Updates will be issued if the situation changes.

This warning is from the Queensland Fire Department.

19/08/2026

Centrogen will be conducting some Hazard Reduction Burns for the next 7 days.
They will all be within Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA), depending on the wind we may or may not see smoke in the area.

04/08/2026

🔥 FIRE SEASON IS APPROACHING – LET’S GET READY, HERVEY RANGE🔥

After a great community round-table meeting today, it’s a timely reminder that fire season is approaching.

Living in a rural community means preparing our own properties, but it also means looking out for each other.

Now is the time to start getting ready:

✅ Clear long grass, leaves and other potential fuel from around homes, sheds and structures
✅ Maintain firebreaks and keep access tracks clear
✅ Clear gutters and remove built-up leaves and debris
✅ Cut back vegetation around buildings
✅ Check pumps, hoses, sprinklers and water supplies
✅ Make sure emergency vehicles can safely access your property
✅ Make sure your property number is clearly visible from the road
✅ Have a bushfire plan, know what you will do, where you will go and when you will leave

🐴 AND DON'T FORGET YOUR ANIMALS

For many Hervey Range properties, preparing for fire season also means having a plan for our animals.

Dogs, cats, chickens, horses, cattle, goats, pigs and other livestock all need to be considered before an emergency happens.

Think about:

🐾 Where will your animals go if you need to leave?
🐾 Can you safely transport them, and how long would it actually take?
🐾 Are floats, trailers, cages, leads and carriers ready and accessible?
🐾 Do you have identification, medications, feed and water organised?
🐾 If livestock can't be evacuated, where is the safest place for them on your property?
🐾 What happens if you're not home when an emergency occurs?

Queensland has some great resources to help families and property owners develop emergency plans for pets and livestock. We'll pop the link below so you can start putting your animal plan together.

🤝 AND CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS

We have older residents, people living alone and others in our community who may need an extra pair of hands to prepare.

If you're clearing around your place, checking pumps or getting ready for fire season, check in with the neighbour down the road too.

And if you need a hand, please reach out. That's what being part of a rural community is about.

Fire preparedness doesn't start when we see smoke.

It starts now, and we can do it together.

💛 Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade

26/07/2026

Today marks the beginning of Rural Fire Service Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the incredible volunteers who quietly serve their communities.

Today, at the Area Office awards ceremony, several past and present members of the Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade were recognised for their years of service and commitment.
Congratulations to:
🏅 Ian Dale
🏅 John Freestun
🏅 Margie Freestun
🏅 Graeme Freestun

Our volunteers don't do this job for medals or recognition. They do it because they care about their community, stand beside their mates, and are willing to answer the call when help is needed. Being recognised for that service is simply a well-deserved bonus.

Thank you to each of you for your dedication, commitment and the many years you've spent helping protect Hervey Range and the surrounding communities. Your service is appreciated, and today we celebrate you.

Congratulations to all recipients recognised across the Rural Fire Service today. 👏🔥

21/07/2026

🚒 Community Information | Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade

Whether you need to contact the brigade or you're planning to conduct a burn on your property, we've made it easy to find the information you need.
If your burn pile or burn area is larger than 2 m × 2 m × 2 m, you must obtain a Permit to Light Fire before burning.
Please save this post for future reference and share it with your neighbours to help keep our community informed and prepared.

Together, we can all play a part in keeping Hervey Range safe. 🔥

14/07/2026

🔥 A Timely Reminder for Hervey Range Residents 🔥

Bushfire preparedness should already be underway as our weather continues to dry out. Taking the time to prepare your property now can make a significant difference during the fire season.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their own fire safety and reducing fire hazards on their land. Now is a great time to check that you have:

• A minimum 3 metre wide fire break around your property's perimeter where appropriate.
• Driveways and access tracks clear so emergency vehicles can safely access your property.
• Long grass slashed and excess vegetation managed around buildings.
• Roofs and gutters free from leaf litter.
• Pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems in good working order.
• Clearly visible property numbers at your entrance.
• A bushfire survival plan that everyone in your household understands.

Planning to conduct a burn?

If your burn pile or burn area is larger than 2m × 2m × 2m, you will need a Permit to Light Fire.

Please contact Leanne Fryer on 0419 648 624 before undertaking your burn to discuss permit requirements.

By preparing early, you're helping protect your family, your neighbours, our volunteers and the wider Hervey Range community.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community bushfire ready.

09/07/2026

CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF IN YELLOW?

When your phone sounds with a fire alert, ordinary people step forward to do extraordinary things.

The Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade is looking for new volunteers to join our team. As a small rural brigade, every volunteer makes a difference. Many hands really do make light work.

No experience? That's okay. We provide all the training, support and protective equipment you need. All you need is a willingness to learn and a desire to help your community when it matters most.

We're looking for people who:

✅ Are 16 years of age or older
✅ Can obtain a Blue Card
✅ Enjoy being part of a supportive team
✅ Can attend the initial weekend training course and ongoing refresher training
✅ Want to give back to their local community

As a volunteer you'll receive:

🔥 Nationally recognised training
👨‍🚒 Full PPE and brigade uniform
🚒 Opportunities to develop valuable skills and qualifications
🤝 A welcoming brigade where everyone supports one another
❤️ The opportunity to help protect lives, property and our community during fires, floods and other emergencies

Not everyone needs to be on the fireground. We also welcome volunteers who can assist with administration, community education, fundraising, communications and brigade support. Whatever your skills, there's a place for you.

There are no minimum attendance requirements. We understand everyone has work, family and other commitments, you volunteer when you're available.

If you've ever thought about joining, we'd love to meet you.

Contact:
Leah Haar – Brigade Secretary
📞 0478 820 796
📧 [email protected]

You can also come along to one of our monthly brigade meetings to meet the team, ask questions and see what volunteering is all about.

Become part of something bigger. Help protect Hervey Range and the surrounding community.

Together, we're stronger.

16/06/2026

Ground and aerial ignition at Townsville Field Training Area will be conducted during this period, please see notification for more details.

22/05/2026

Centrogen- Aerial ignition will commence north of Hervey Range Road on Thursday 28th May, and south of Hervey Range Road on Friday 29th May.