Alton Downs Rural Fire Brigade

07/07/2026

At approximately 12:12 pm yesterday, Monday 6 July, we were paged to attend a vegetation fire near Mt Hopeful, Bajool.

Rural Fire Service crews from Bajool, Archer Ulam and surrounding brigades, along with Fire and Rescue crews from Rockhampton, responded to the incident.

Alton Downs was tasked with providing support using Central 71, the region’s largest bulk water tanker, to refill and replenish appliances directly attacking the fire.

The fire is believed to have started from a landowner burning rubbish.

Despite yesterday’s Fire Danger Rating being “No Rating” the lowest rating available, this does not mean there is no fire risk. With wind gusts exceeding 35 km/h, conditions were enough for the fire to escape the landowner’s control.

These cooler conditions provide a great opportunity to prepare your property ahead of the higher-risk bushfire period. If you are planning to conduct a Hazard Reduction Burn on your property; ensure you obtain a permit from your local Fire Warden, comply with all permit conditions, and postpone any burning if weather conditions are unsuitable.

We’ll be sharing more information later this week on how to conduct a safe and successful Hazard Reduction Burn, so stay tuned.

30/06/2026

Alton Downs stands with the US WFS in this incredibly sad time. All people on the fireground deserve to return home to their family. May they Rest in Peace

We are saddened to share the identities of the three firefighters we lost responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:
💜Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

💜Nick Hutcherson, 27 of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

💜Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.”

The full press release can be found here: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/identities-released-three-firefighters-who-died-responding-knowles-fire-colorado

28/06/2026

As we round out the first half of the year, it's time to catch up on our May call outs!

We kicked off the month on Saturday, 2 May, with three Hazard Reduction Burns (HRBs):

Assisting the landowner opposite our station to reduce fuel loads around their property.
Assisting crews on the Rockhampton Ring Road project with burning timber stacks that had been cleared during construction.

The following night, we were called back to the Ring Road stack burns after a security guard was unsure whether the fires were still burning within containment. Our crews inspected the area, confirmed the fires were well within the containment lines, and that everything was under control.

On 6 May, we were called to assist Calioran and Faraday Primary Producer Brigades with a fire that started while a landowner was carrying out hot work building a fence. The landowner had taken the appropriate precautions, including completing the work on a low fire danger day and having suitable firefighting equipment on hand. Despite these precautions, the fire was still able to escape the landowner's control before crews arrived. Fire and Rescue crews from Rockhampton also attended before handing the incident back to Faraday to manage and complete blacking out operations.

On 24 May, we responded to a paddock fire on Six Mile Road. The landowner was asleep when a neighbour noticed the fire and called Triple Zero. The landowner and neighbours had done an excellent job containing the blaze before our arrival, with our crews extinguishing the remaining hotspots and ensuring the fire was fully out.

June's recap and call outs coming soon! 🚒

04/06/2026

RAZORBACK RD FIRE - 4 JUNE 🔥🔥

At approximately 1:00 pm today, a fire broke out on Razorback Road between Crones Road and Leyden's Hill Road.

Crews responded quickly, with Calliungal Rural Fire Brigade (Mt Morgan) already in the area after taking their appliance to Rockhampton for maintenance. Due to thick, dry undergrowth, the fire spread rapidly, prompting additional responses from Bouldercombe, Gracemere, and Alton Downs RFBs, along with QFR crews from Mt Morgan and Rockhampton.

Firefighters worked throughout the afternoon to contain the blaze by extinguishing active fire edges and conducting multiple strategic backburning operations. The assistance of a dozer proved invaluable, significantly improving outcomes for both our crews and surrounding landholders.

At the height of the incident, more than 10 firefighting appliances were on the scene, including the Central 71 tanker from Alton Downs. Today, the tanker once again proved its value on the fireground, refilling multiple appliances throughout the operation. Its large water-carrying capacity also allowed crews to apply substantial volumes of water to hazardous trees and other problem areas, helping to improve safety and support our containment efforts.

Razorback Road remained closed for several hours this afternoon while crews worked to bring the fire under control and has since reopened.

If you are traveling through the area tomorrow, please slow down and allow extra travel time. Conditions may change, and RFS crews will return to continue backburning and mopping-up operations.

Queensland Fire Department
myPolice Rockhampton Region

Calliungal Rural Fire
Bouldercombe Rural Fire Brigade
Gracemere Rural Fire Brigade

28/05/2026

We had just recently completed some drafting training (where we pump water from a water body or source into the truck to refill the tanks) and when we got back to the truck we found these! Has this happened to anyone else in the Rockhampton region?

25/05/2026

LOOKING BACK ⬅️
APRIL ‘26 CALL OUTS 🚒

Our brigade responded to 2 incidents during April. Here’s a quick look back at the month:

📍 09/04/2026
Crews responded after a landholder burning deceased livestock lost control of the fire, allowing it to spread beyond the intended area. The landholder quickly contacted 000 and was able to bring the fire under control prior to brigade arrival.

📍 21/04/2026
Crews were called to a large structure fire on Holland Street, Gracemere. Firefighters from Rockhampton and Gracemere Fire Rescue + Rural Fire Brigades, attended the incident.

Upon arrival, one structure was fully involved, with the fire threatening a second structure while also spreading into surrounding grassland and nearby power infrastructure. Crews worked together to contain the fire and prevent further spread.

A reminder as conditions continue to dry out:
✅ Always monitor burn-offs closely
✅ Have water and equipment nearby
✅ Call 000 early if a fire escapes containment

10/05/2026

Mums🫶

08/05/2026

There’s large fire with multiple appliances in attendance on the Burnett Highway just south of the intersection of Gavial Gracemere Rd.

If you are in the area please slow down and watch out for firefighters working to get the fire under control.

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

AVOID SMOKE - Bouldercombe (near Rockhampton) - fire as at 1:05pm Friday, 8 May 2026



Warning level: ADVICE



Warning area: Gracemere, Bouldercombe, The Range and surrounding areas



Smoke is currently affecting Gracemere, Bouldercombe, The Range and surrounding areas. This is from a fire burning near J Pierce Road and the Burnett Highway, Bouldercombe.



What you should do:

- Stay inside and close windows and doors.

- Keep respiratory medication close by.

- Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, make one on the QFD website.

- Avoid driving through smoke if you can.

- Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

- Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.



Impacts:

- No properties are at risk.

- Smoke can make it hard for some people to breathe.

- Smoke can make it hard to see when you are driving.

- Some roads may be closed.



Further Information:

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

- Follow QFD on Facebook and X.com: https://x.com/QldFireDept.

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

- Visit the https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/air-quality for live air quality data.

- Find out how to get ready for a bushfire on the https://bushfire-survival-plan.qfes.qld.gov.au under Prepare - Bushfire.



Updates will be issued if the situation changes.



This warning is from Queensland Fire Department.

05/05/2026

Alton Downs stands with our emergency service friends at Marine Rescue Ballina and the wider Marine Rescue NSW family with the news that 2 volunteers and 1 other member of the public have lost their lives whilst responding to a yacht that was in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall last night.

Our thoughts and condolences are with all involved and effected by this tragedy.

04/05/2026