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Defence admits starting Qld blaze

Defence has admitted army activity started a fire in Queensland as NSW signalled it will be looking for compensation for bushfire victims in the state.

Victorian CFA firefighters help strengthen containment lines
(File: AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Premier Barry O'Farrell will ask Prime Minister Tony Abbott about commonwealth compensation for NSW bushfire victims as it was revealed army activity also started fires in Queensland and South Australia.

Defence has offered an apology to fire victims for starting the massive State Mine fire during an explosives training exercise on army land on October 16.

The fire, which threatened Blue Mountains communities, destroyed three homes and scorched more than 50,000 hectares, was the biggest blaze of the NSW bushfire emergency.

Mr O'Farrell says he will be discussing the fire and any potential Commonwealth liabilities with Mr Abbott.

"Clearly at least seven or so homes were lost as a result of that fire," Mr O'Farrell told reporters at the Winmalee Fire Station on Friday.

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"We need to see what's going to be done ... we need to settle the compensation issues."

It's been reported that the defence personnel who accidentally started the Lithgow fire may have used too much explosive.

It also emerged that an army live-fire exercise sparked a Queensland grassfire on Monday.

Defence on Friday confirmed fires at the Wide Bay Training Area, north of the Sunshine Coast and one north of Adelaide started during a routine live ammunition exercises.

The Wide Bay fire started about noon on Monday and is currently restricted to defence land.

It has caused no damage to equipment or civilian property, a defence spokesman says.

But it has burnt a square kilometre of land, with containment lines in place around it.

Deputy mayor Tony Perrett said the fire was unfortunate, but the army should regulate its behaviour during dry weather.

"It doesn't take much for one spark to create a situation that could get out of control," he told AAP.

"I hope the army will learn from this and where possible modify their training program in future to reflect current conditions."

An exercise with smoke grenades and simulated explosions sparked a grass fire on a training facility north of Adelaide last Saturday.

The blaze at the Cultana Training Area near Whyalla destroyed about three square kilometres of grass and scrub on Saturday.

"In accordance with range standing orders, members of the unit involved took immediate action, briefly containing the fire," a defence spokesperson said.

"However, the fire reignited, becoming large and fast moving."

The Country Fire Service was notified and contained the blaze that night.

Two defence personnel suffered minor smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion and were treated at the scene by medics before returning to duty.


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