Oct 10th 2025 |
Firefighter sustains burns battling fire in the South Burnett region
A firefighter sustained burns while responding to a large fire near Wondai, in the South Burnett region, on Friday afternoon. A spokesperson for QAS stated that the firie was taken to Kingaroy Hospital in stable condition with hand burns.
What we know so far
- Location: Rural land at Wondai, South Burnett.
- Time of call: Just before midday on Friday.
- Injury: One crew member with a burn to the hand, assessed as stable.
- Property risk: No homes reported under threat.
The fire in Wondai, which was active near Simpsons and Mollenhauers roads, was reported around 11:40am. Crews confirmed that no properties were at risk.
Continue reading here.
Why burn injuries hit crews hardest
Burns rank among the most severe injuries sustained by South Burnett firefighters, even when a blaze is contained quickly. Radiant heat, superheated tools and steam can breach protective gloves within seconds, and personnel who have suffered serious burns often face months of rehabilitation.
Where injuries extend across her upper body, legs or face, paramedics prioritise rapid cooling, airway assessment and urgent transfer. A patient who suffered critical burns in a remote area may be airlifted to a specialist unit by an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter crew.
Fire safety takeaways for workplaces and landholders
Every property owner shares responsibility for lowering risk to responding crews and the wider community. Documented controls, rehearsed before peak season, make a measurable difference.
- Work through a documented Controlled Burns SOP before lighting any pile or paddock.
- Display clear extinguisher use instructions wherever portable units are stored.
- Inspect, test and tag gear under a firefighting equipment procedure.
- Brief responders using a Fire Services SWMS for high-risk tasks.
- Equip your business with complete Fire Services safety packages.
Rural residents should also revisit home fire safety basics: clearing gutters, maintaining defendable space and keeping access tracks passable for heavy appliances. Guidance published by Safe Work Australia reinforces that hazard identification, suitable PPE and rehearsed procedures remain the strongest defence against thermal injury.
Other recent South Burnett incidents
Share This Article