No charges against fire starter
A WINDY day, a stray spark and almost 150ha of bushland up in smoke.
The fire which left a large area around The Glen, south of Warwick, blackened and smouldering began with an attempt to burn out a stump.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Warwick command inspector Hemmo de Vries said because the fire began as a blaze of less than two square meters no permit had been required.
He said no action would be taken against the woman who started the fire.
"She was burning out a stump and you are allowed to burn a two square meter fire without a permit," he said.
"The only time you are not allowed is during a total fire ban."
Inspector de Vries said windy, dry days mixed with fires were a recipe for disaster and firefighters often woke up on those days with a sense of dread.
"We have to rely on people's better judgment and on hot windy days you wake up and think if someone lights a fire it's going to go up," he said.
"The local fire warden is the best person to talk to talk to and will be able to say when it is safest to light a fire."
In Warwick the local fire warden can be contacted for advice by calling 4661 9655 and a permit to light a fire can be obtained by visiting www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
