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National

Rural firies save Wieambilla good samaritan Alan Dare's property from suspicious bushfire

Firefighters have saved the property of Wieambilla shooting victim Alan Dare after an out-of-control bushfire raged through the area this week.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said it was too early to determine the cause of the blaze, but it was treating the bushfire as suspicious.

Rural Fire Service regional manager for the south-west region, Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said investigations were underway with police assisting.

"There's a few things at the point of origin we've identified and we've got two experienced fire investigators coming up early next week.

"They'll take over from our local people who've uncovered a few things that we need to investigate a lot closer," he said.

Mr Dare was shot and killed last week when he went to investigate a fire on a neighbouring property on Wains Road.

The two events were unrelated.

Police officers Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were also shot in the deadly ambush by residents Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train.

The QFES issued a prepare to leave warning for Wains Road on Wednesday morning.

Close call

There were fears the fast-moving fire could worsen, as crews battled to save the Dare's property and others in the rural subdivision near Tara.

"Some machinery was able to get around and put some earth breaks around the immediate vicinity of the buildings, and fire was coming right up to those breaks," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.

He said flames were as high as 10 metres with gusty winds hampering control efforts.

"Understanding what Alan had done, there was a lot of effort put into protecting their property, but no much more than protecting other property up the road.

"The crews were really committed, but certainly it's been a rollercoaster of emotions for those local brigades out there over the last week," he said.

A task force of 26 volunteers from the south-east region arrived to give the local crews some much-needed rest.

 "The local crews worked hard to keep the fire away from Alan's property. If it had got away it would've been just too much for the Dares and the community at this time," he said.

Strong winds and an abundance of fuel from recent rain events fanned the fire, which had been contained.

Superintendent Waltisbuhl said crews would continue to monitor the area in coming days.

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