TAMBORINE Mountain Rural Fire Brigade were quick to answer the call when extra hands were needed to assist the Moreton Island fires raging from October 4.
First Officer Sam Webster, accompanied by firefighter Liam Flanagan, spent their night helping to establish a 15km containment line along Bulwer Blue Lagoon Road.
The Moreton Island fire lasted a week with 32 crews from rural fire brigades across South East Queensland and five aircrafts assisting at one stage.
Moreton Island Rural Fire Brigade, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) had several crews assisting.
More than 1900ha of land was burnt with 20 campers having to evacuate the area.
Sam says that it was a unique experience to be involved in and appreciated the opportunity to help where they could.
“Moreton Island on any other day of the week is a beautiful place to be, so we did love it,” he said.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for the brigade to go and assist another community and help out other people in Moreton Island.
“We were very thankful to get the request as we don’t usually get sent over to places like Moreton Island.”
Sam managed to photograph the chaos that unfolded during the fire while the pair patrolled the area in their All-Terrain Vehicle, a Polaris Ranger.
He even managed to see a few snakes around the fire for the first time.
“Everyone always says, ‘Watch out for snakes on a fire’. I’ve been doing this for a few years now and I’ve never come across a snake.
“We probably saw around 15 snakes on that night alone when we were patrolling the track. I think we got them all in one night,” Sam joked.
During the Moreton Island fires, there were 60 additional fires active around Queensland.
Sam hopes that the community can work together to stay ahead of bushfire season.
