Extreme fire danger for Darling Downs, Granite Belt in Queensland

Residents in one part of Queensland are being warned over an extreme fire danger several blazes erupt across the region.

Several fires have started across south east Queensland after residents were warned over an “extreme” danger as temperatures soar and winds pick up.

Residents in the town of Wolvi near Gympie and Montrose near Tara have been told to leave as the flames draw closer.

Blazes are also alight in Springside, Kobble Creek and Wieambilla.

However, properties in Springside, Kobble Creek and Wieambilla are not believed to be at risk.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning on Sunday for the Darling Downs and Granite Belt region, south west of Brisbane, where temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees with winds close to 35 kp/h.

“Hot to very hot conditions combined with fresh west to south westerly winds will lead to elevated fire dangers over south east Queensland today,” the BOM said on Sunday.

⚠️Fire weather #warning issued for extreme fire danger in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt District on Sunday. Hot afternoon temperatures and fresh west to southwesterly winds will increase fire danger in the southeast interior. Details: https://t.co/FBmpsInT9opic.twitter.com/1ve89j3FHg

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 11, 2023

Sunday’s Forecast for Darling Downs and the Granite Belt said daytime maximum temperatures would hover around 40 degrees, while winds shifting south westerly in the late morning and early afternoon could reach speeds of 35 kp/h.

The warnings come as Queensland is set to swelter through its hottest temperatures in more than a year.

BOM earlier on Sunday issued a heatwave warning for the sunshine state’s Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields, and Wide Bay and Burnett Districts.

Queensland is set to swelter through its hottest temperatures in more than a year. Picture: Weatherzone

The mercury is expected to pass 39C in areas surrounding Ipswich for the first time since December 2020.

The Capricornia coast is also expected to peak at 40C on Sunday.

Brisbane is forecast to reach 36C on Sunday, which is expected to be its hottest day since October 2021.

Weatherzone meteorologists say the heat is intensifying as a result of clear skies, westerly winds and the proximity of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.

High humidity will make the state feel even hotter.

While the heat will be severe, it’s expected to cool by Monday as a cooler onshore wind change arrives prompting widespread rain and storms on Tuesday.

Residents are being warned to watch out for strong surf and abnormally high tides on Sunday. Picture: Sky News.

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle passed almost directly above the former penal colony of Norfolk Island on Saturday. Picture: Sky Weather

While other parts of the nation have grappled with different weather threats, Norfolk Island residents have been “extremely fortunate” to avoid the worst of a tropical cyclone.

Inhabitants of the tiny Pacific Island are beginning to clean up after wild winds and heavy rain left a path of destruction with more warnings of damaging surf and abnormally high tides in place on Sunday.

Norfolk Island was hit hard by 102km/h winds on Saturday, as the eye of the category two storm passed near the centre of the island, bringing down trees and leaving residents without power.

Tropical cyclone warning cancelled for Norfolk Island as ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle moves away. Damaging surf likely to continue today. #CycloneGabriellehttps://t.co/rVLE6inSiGpic.twitter.com/54kQQkkI71

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 11, 2023

On Sunday morning, Emergency Management Norfolk Island issued the all clear alert, and said the approximately 2000 residents of had been lucky the worst of the storm had narrowly avoided the island.

“We have been extremely fortunate with the passage of the cyclone as the most destructive winds have just missed us,” EMNI said on Sunday.

“However there is still considerable clean-up to be undertaken and it may take a while before services such as power can be restored.”

Norfolk Island was lucky to avoid the very worst of Cyclone Gabrielle, local emergency management said on Sunday morning. Picture: Sky News.

EMNI said the storm passed the island on Saturday night and had now transitioned to a tropical low, and is now about 185 km east south east of the island.

Sky Weather predicted the storm to just miss New Zealand’s North Island, before moving off the country’s east coast.

On Sunday the Bureau of Meteorology cancelled its cyclone warning for the island, but warned residents damaging surf was likely to continue through Sunday.

On Saturday, local resident Alex McGillycuddy told the ABC the weather was getting “hectic” and had brought down three banana trees and two roadside trees.

Gale force winds are no longer expected for the island on Sunday.

Originally published as Extreme fire danger for Darling Downs, Granite Belt in Queensland