Grass fire threatens under-construction Brigalow solar farm in Queensland

A grass fire broke out at the under-construction 35MW Brigalow Solar Farm near Yarranlea, Pittsworth, Queensland, on the morning of 9 September 2019, during a wider outbreak of more than 60 bushfires across the state. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the fire started just after 9am as the result of a rubbish fire at the solar farm site. Authorities were quoted as saying infrastructure including conduits and solar panel boxes had been caught up in the blaze. The project owner, Impact Investment Group, said the fire was contained to the laydown area, where construction materials are stored, and that it did not start in an operational or under-construction part of the solar farm. The owner could not confirm the extent of any damage or the cause. No one was hurt, the fire was contained, and the owner said ongoing development of the solar farm would not be affected.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services attributed the start of the grass fire to a rubbish fire at the site. The owner said the ignition point was within the laydown area where construction materials are stored. The fire occurred during what authorities described as an unprecedented early start to the Queensland bushfire season, with around 65 separate fires burning across the state that morning. The underlying cause was not confirmed at the time of reporting.

1. Waste and rubbish disposal practices at active construction sites should be closely managed, and open burning avoided during periods of high fire danger.
2. Laydown and material storage areas should be kept clear of dry vegetation and provided with adequate fire breaks.
3. Construction sites in fire-prone regions should agree contingency and firefighting arrangements with local fire services ahead of high-risk seasons.

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