Real Climate Records

Big bush fires continue to rage fiercely in practically all the ranges surrounding Brisbane.

Many country districts are also being swept by the fires. The State forest in the Enoggera Dalby, and Rockhampton districts were threatened with destruction, but the staffs managed to keep the flames away from the areas.

Stock-owners in the Esk district are moving their stock to other localities. Up to the present the damage to private propertyies not heavy.

Serious bush fires are also raging in the Northern River districts of N.S Wales. A number of dwellings have been destroyed.

It is feared the loss of stock will be enormous.

MURWILLUMBAH, Friday.

After days and nights of strenuous effort on the part of settlers the bush fires which have been raging in the upper reaches of the Tweed are practically under control.

Provided there is no freshening of the wind the danger should completely pass.

Hundreds of acres of grass have been ravaged, and many farmers, especially in the south area, are in an appalling position due to the destruction of their pastures and losses of stock. It is also reported that it will be impossible to estimate the loss till the smoke cleared, since it is positively dangerous for settlers to venture into the paddocks owing to falling trees.

The district was enveloped in clouds of smoke yesterday. The mountains have not been visible

from Murwillumbah for over a week, while the town itself has been enveloped in smoke. However, the worst conditions were experienced yesterday when it wan impossible to see from one end of the street to the other.

A journey up the South Arm yesterday as far as Mt. Burrell revealed a scene of desolation everywhere.

Early in the day a pall of smoke almost obliterated the countryside, it being impossible to see more than two chains ahead.

Occasionally, horsemen clad in flannel shirts and dungarees rode out of the smoke.

They were settlers blackened with cinders and utterly fatigued returning home after a night long flight with the flames.

A splendid spirit of co-operation has been exhibited by the settlers through the trying ordeal.

At almost every home yesterday horses were standing saddled In yards in readiness for fresh out breaks of fire.

The settlers have concentrated their efforts where the fight was needed, irrespective of whether

they were their own properties or not. Their wives, too have borne themselves most courageously, many assisting to beat out the flames and carrying drinking water to the fire

fighters. Cattle were only mustered with difficulty and at considerable risk.