23 Oct 2009

Queensland fires worst in a generation - minister

1:49 pm on 23 October 2009

The Queensland government says the state is experiencing one of the worst runs of bushfires for a generation.

A large fire at Mount Archer near Rockhampton has been burning for more than a fortnight, threatening about 100 homes and destroying one.

The ABC reports the fire has been contained after burning more than 11,500 hectares of bushland.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts says rural and urban brigades have performed well under the pressure of what was "probably the most significant fire" in Queensland for a generation," he said.

However, Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek toured the affected area Thursday and has questioned how the emergency was handled.

A group of New South Wales firefighters will return home on Friday after helping combat the bushfires.

Meanwhile, water bombing helicopters have helped contain a fire which jumped containment lines yesterday at Gaeta, west of Bundaberg.

Twenty-six crews are working on the fire which has burnt about 35,000 hectares of land in the past week.

The ABC reports a fire ban is in place until midnight on Monday.