Forsayth: Remote Queensland town faces anxious wait as bushfire fight continues
A town is facing an anxious wait as firefighters combat a looming blaze that has burned for almost a week, leaving a 70km trail of damage.
More hot weather and blustery conditions have ensured the remote Queensland community of Forsayth is on high alert as crews resume their battle with the fire on Tuesday.
The blaze destroyed a house after it first began near Einasleigh six days ago and has since burned more than 56,000 hectares, damaging railway lines and bridges.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Showers and thunderstorms are likely through much of northern, central and eastern Australia on Tuesday due to a low-pressure trough.
But the Gulf Country town of Forsayth was not pinning its hopes on forecast showers reducing the fire risk, with strong northeasterly winds and another day of 40-plus temperatures set to again test fatigued crews.
A “prepare to leave” warning for Forsayth, northwest of Townsville, has been downgraded to a “stay informed” alert.
However, local mayor Barry Hughes said the community of about 100 people was ready for anything as it sweated on the fire’s progress on Tuesday.
“Everybody is prepared. I won’t say they are in good spirits,” the Etheridge Shire Mayor told AAP.
“They all know they have a responsibility to stay safe.”
Back-up arrived on Tuesday from around the region to relieve exhausted crews who have been battling the blaze on the ground and in the air.
Almost a dozen crews were at one stage fighting the fire, including four planes and a Black Hawk helicopter along with rangers, council workers and local farmers.
“Fatigue is playing a huge role across the front-line firefighters,” Mr Hughes said.
“We are told the weather may change but we deal with what is in front of us.
“The fire has slowed down and they feel as though they can get a block on it before it gets any closer to town - weather conditions pending.”
Temperatures are set to hit 41 degrees at Forsayth, extending a run of hot weather in the region.
The state’s northwest is predicted to break a November record of 10 straight days above 40 degrees, last recorded back in 2015.
Rainfall totals are expected to be low, especially inland, which will remain hot with heatwaves ongoing, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
