All hell breaks loose for firies

Fire crews are working relentlessly to contain the fires threatening houses in Rockhampton.

The Morning Bulletin

Special feature

Qld urged to prepare for bushfires

WITH the climate creating dryer conditions once more in south-east Queensland, the threat of bushfires this season is very real.

WHEN she turned on the news and saw the Mt Archer blaze that her husband was up against, Jeanette Albury simply held her breath and hoped for the best.

While Gladstone's brave firefighters are doing it tough, assisting their fellow firefighters in Rockhampton, spare a thought for the ones left behind.

Mrs Albury's husband Russell has been involved with the Gladstone fire brigade for 18 years, so she knows more than most the fear that goes with being a firefighter's wife.

“I just hold my breath and hope that everything goes okay for them,” she said, upon seeing the Rockhampton flames her husband and his unit were battling.

Despite the worry she has for her husband she is incredibly proud of the work he does for the community and has full faith in the training the brigades are given.

“We support him wholeheartedly and we know that the fire service trains them very well,” Mrs Albury said.

“I have every confidence in his safety.”

She said that while of course she missed him, she had learnt to be independent.

View photo galleries of the Rockhampton fires:

Rockhampton bushfire

Readers' view of the Rockhampton fires

The Albury's children are also very proud of their dad, with their 17-year-old Dean considering following in his dad's footsteps and becoming an auxiliary fireman.

“He's always been crazy about watching his dad,” said Mrs Albury.

“He gets out his dad's boots and puts on his uniform.”

Russell Albury has been battling the Rockhampton fires since Sunday, along with his unit consisting of men from Boyne Island and Calliope. It is thelongest he has been away from his wife.

He said that Sunday was a terrible day. In the 18 years he has been involved with the fire service he said it was the worst grass fire he had ever seen.

His team has been covering the day shift which lasts 12 hours. Mr Albury said that yesterday morning during change over “all hell broke loose”.

“We were just relieving the night shift crew when the fire just flared up and threatened houses.”

The Gladstone units were expected to return yesterday afternoon, but have been forced to stay another two to three days due to the severity of the fires. Further back-up auxiliary units from Gladstone have been requested.

Approximately 42 other fire crews and three water-bombing aircraft were continuing to protect properties around the Norman Gardens area yesterday afternoon as the fire continued to threaten houses in the area. Crews had successfully protected approximately 100 homes yesterday, although some residences have suffered some fence damage.

Damage from the fires include a number of properties being burnt, six horses in a critical condition after suffering major burns and there has been minor damage to Lakes Creek School.