Qld bushfires: Extreme conditions as crews battle blazes

As fires rage in southern and central Queensland, extreme conditions are set to make matters worse in the days ahead.

FIREFIGHTERS battling several big blazes in hot, windy weather in Queensland are urging people to prepare for fire danger.

There were about 15 fires burning around the state today amid severe fire conditions in tinder-dry southern Queensland.

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The Darling Downs and Granite Belt, and Maranoa and Warrego districts are most at risk from the severe conditions expected for both today and tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there is the potential for pockets of extreme fire conditions in the southern, forested parts of these districts.

Rural Fire Service acting director Wayne Waltisbuhl said this morning the two most significant were at Glen Rock State Forest, south of Gatton, and Swanfels, north-northeast of Warwick.

Aerial view of a fire in the Stanwell-Kabra area near Rockhampton

Later in the day, a prepare-to-leave notice was issued for a bushfire further north at Mount Morgan, Struck Oil, Leydens Hilland Baree in case conditions got worse.

Mr Waltisbuhl said the Glen Rock State Forest fire started a week ago from a lightning strike and had emerged from the national park and into grazing land.

Aircraft were waterbombing to slow down the blaze for ground crews trying to contain the fire.

Mr Waltisbuhl warned tougher conditions would hit as the day progressed and by early afternoon the bad weather had impacted.

People nearby were warned to prepare to leave as the fire was burning in an easterly direction near Cole Gully Rd, Lefthand Branch, and there were fears it could impact properties along Cole Gully Rd.

Dry and windy conditions have pushed temperatures in some parts of the state up to 12C above average for October today, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Firefighting co-ordinators at Lefthand Branch Rd

Brisbane is expected to reach 34C, while in the Lockyer Valley at Ipswich, Laidley and Gatton, 40C is expected.

Firefighters are monitoring the fire at Swanfels which is burning in inaccessible land near Dollar Bill Rd.

It started last week after lightning and expected to burn for several days.

Mr Waltisbuhl said the fires of most concern were those that hadn’t started yet, but which could start at any time by more lightning or human error in the dangerous conditions.

He is urging Queenslanders to have fire plans ready to enact, including “grab bags” with things to take in an emergency.

Firefighters are also urging people to be careful of sparking fires, with temperatures expected to remain high in the southeast until Wednesday.

Queensland’s bushfire season began in September with massive fires forcing evacuations: the worst in the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Granite Belt regions.