Sunshine Coast bushfire: Motorway closed as fire flares up

UPDATE: The Sunshine Motorway has reopened after being closed in both directions this afternoon, as fire crews continue to battle bushfires.

• Noosa homes reduced to rubble

THE Sunshine Motorway has reopened after being closed in both directions this afternoon as fire crews continue to battle bushfires.

The motorway was closed in both directions due to a blaze at Peregian Springs.

The fire flared up about 2.10pm in an area which had been burnt out yesterday.

The Sunshine Motorway was closed from Murdering Creek Rd to Yandina Coolum Rd due to decreased visibility but had reopened by about 5pm.

The Sunshine Motorway near Peregian Springs. Picture Lachie Millard

It is understood up to six crews were on scene and that there is no threat to properties or homes.

Nearby residents have been urged to close their windows and doors and to contact triple-0 if they fear their property could be at risk.

It comes as firefighters continue to monitor a bushfire at Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast.

The fire is burning near Cooroy-Noosa Road and the Wooroi Day Use Area.

The Peregian Springs blaze comes after fire crews battled a massive bushfire just south of Caloundra. Picture: Lachie Millard

“This fire is burning within containment lines however it is producing a large smoke haze in the area,” the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said.

“Residents are advised to close windows and doors and keep medications close by if suffering from a respiratory condition. Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions.”

Three homes were destroyed by fire at Noosa North Shore on Saturday, although that was not a bushfire. Picture: Lachie Millard

Hot, dry and windy conditions on the Sunshine Coast have wreaked havoc in the past 48 hours, including the destruction of five caravans at a Kilcoy caravan park Saturday afternoon. Two of them were rented as permanent homes.

About 40 firefighting crews yesterday battled a bushfire in Caloundra that burnt 700 hectares of land and threatened homes and the popular Corbould Racecourse. It was brought within containment lines yesterday afternoon.

Three homes at Noosa North Shore were destroyed by fire yesterday although that was not a bushfire.

The properties were lost when a fire tore through the properties about 12.30pm Saturday.

Two more homes received sustained exterior damage as firefighters spent more than two hours bringing the blaze under control. The cause of the fire was last night under investigation.