Queensland Fire and Emergency Services send out warning for Sarabah fire, affecting residents in Canungra

Warnings have been sent to residents west of the city as bushfires that have been wreaking havoc across Queensland creep closer to the Gold Coast.

This story is free to read due to the danger posed by the fires to the local community.

Warnings have been sent to residents west of the city as bushfires that have been wreaking havoc across Queensland creep closer to the Gold Coast.

At 4.34pm on Wednesday Queensland Fire and Emergency Services sent out a fire warning for residents in the Sarabah area to stay informed.

Emergency services were first called to the vegetation fire on October 31 at about 6.17pm.

On Thursday morning, a spokesman said a firefighting aircraft was going to be releasing water bombs to help ground crews control the blaze.

The Scenic Rim council had a hazard alert up for Lamington National Park Rd and encouraged motorists to avoid driving through smoke.

Canungra resident Charlotte Johnson said she could see the fire coming closer to her property.

“The photo does not do the current situation any justice, but witnessing bushfires right across the road was an unexpected end to the day,” she said.

“We started seeing the fire on Tuesday when it was small but on Wednesday it was significantly larger.

“Last night (Wednesday) they started creating a fire break closer to our property.

“The fire break was closer to our home, but the fire was across the road so we weren’t worried about the fire spreading.

“More (worried about) how much smoke travelled over.

“This morning, six planes flew over and did a water dump on the fires, so it is obviously still continuing.

Charlotte Johnson shares photos of fire coming up to her property in Canungra

“I hope everyone in Canungra and Sarabah are safe.

“We have to commend the rural fire brigades for their work over the past two days.”

The warning encouraged residents to stay informed on the fire as the conditions could change.

“Check the QFES Current Bushfires and Warnings website regularly,” it said.

“Listen to your local radio station.

“Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.”

The warning said it was important to decide what to do if the bushfire got closer.

“Follow your bushfire survival plan now,” it said.

“Decide where you and the people you live with will go.

“This could be with family or a friend away from the fire.”

It advised residents to avoid smoke, stay indoors, close windows and doors.

As of 7am on Thursday no structures had been threatened by the fire.

This fire comes as residents in Cherry Gully, near Warwick were told to “leave immediately” on Wednesday.

Meanwhile residents in Wallangarra, a suburb along the Queensland and New South Wales border were told it was not safe to return after a fire ravaged their homes.

Metrologist Daniel Hayes said a weather system set to roll over the Gold Coast was going to bring some relief to residents close to the Sarabah fire.

Mr Hayes said a trough would move over from the west into northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland on the weekend.

“Hopefully a bit of moisture and humidity will be good for the fire conditions,” he said.

“Let’s hope the rain falls on those fire fields, but it will be a bit of hit and miss due to the conditions.”

Mr Hayes said the Gold Coast would stay partly cloudy on Thursday and Friday with a slight chance of rain on Saturday and a high chance on Sunday.

Follow @CrysalFoxJour1

Originally published as Queensland Fire and Emergency Services send out warning for Sarabah fire, affecting residents in Canungra