Fire tears through properties, highway closed as residents told to flee

At least one structure has been destroyed as “leave immediately” emergency warnings have been issued for residents near two raging fires in Queensland’s south.

At least one structure has been destroyed and residents have been told to evacuate as two fast-moving fires rage in Queensland’s Toowoomba and Western Downs region.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued a ‘Leave Immediately’ emergency warning for Tara and Kogan, as well as for Cypress Gardens and Millmerran Downs.

Footage from the Cypress Gardens and Millmerran Downs fire has shown at least one property fully destroyed by the blaze.

A large bushfire at Tara. Photo: Supplied

A large bushfire at Tara. Photo: Supplied

The fire was also threatening the Scrubby Creek Rural Fire Brigade station.

Properties between Kakadu Avenue, Gore Highway, Violet Road and Wombinebong have been warned the fast-moving fire is burning near Primrose Drive, expected to hit Waratah Drive soon.

In Tara, properties between Chinchilla Tara Road, Timothy Road, Weranga North Road, Tara Kogan Road and Spinifex Road have also been told to leave because the fire burning toward South Road.

At least one structure was destroyed by fire on Monday. Picture: 7 News Brisbane

Firefighting aircraft were helping ground crews at both fires.

A QFES alert said, “LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Your life could be at risk. It will soon be too dangerous to drive.”

QFES Chief Superintendent Tony Johnstone said some fires could not be accessed.

“A couple of those fires are in inaccessible country,” he said.

“Which means crews will work with dozers through the night to put containment lines around them.”

Douglas Grist’s home is the direct line of the fire.

He evacuated his Ayers Rock Rd home about 1.30pm and said on the way out, he drove past a neighbour’s home and saw it burning to the ground.

Smoke from a large fire at Hendon. Photo:Supplied.

“I was getting out of there,” he said.

“I was not going to fight a fire like that, it was huge.

“It is hot and windy and when I looked at the Bureau of Meteorology website it said there were wind gusts up to 25km/h.”

A plume of smoke from a large bushfire burning near Ayers Rock Rd, Cypress Gardens.

This is the second time Mr Grist has had to flee his property. In 2019 he was forced out as a large inferno tore through the area.

With the region suffering higher than average temperatures and low rainfall Mr Grist expected the bushfires would return this season.

“I have been prepared for it,” he said.

“I cleared out the bush, ploughed up my paddocks and got a football field-sized area cleared around my home.”

Added to this, he cut a large fire break nearby which he saw the fire local brigades reinforcing as he left.

“Hopefully everything will be saved.”

A plume of smoke from a large bushfire burning near Ayers Rock Rd, Cypress Gardens.

Senior Meteorologist at BOM Laura Boekel said there was extreme heat forecast for this week.

“Some parts of Queensland are seeing 10C above average ... Significantly warm for this time of year,” she said.

Residents in Millmerran Woods and Captains Mountain have also been warned to “prepare to leave” as fast-moving fires head towards their areas.

In Millmerran Woods properties between Ironbark Drive, Millmerran Woods Drive and Wombinebong Drive have been told there is a fast moving fire burning near Primrose Drive.

“Firefighters are working to contain the fire,” the alert said.

“You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Firefighting aircraft are helping ground crews.”

While in Captains Mountain, properties between Nine Mile Road, Antonio Road and the Gore Highway have been warned the fire burning in Western Creek State Forest could get worse quickly.

There are now two evacuation centres open, Millmerran Showgrounds and Western Downs Regional Council Community Centre.

A total fire ban has also been imposed for the Darling Downs and southwest Queensland.

The ban will be in place from 12.01am Tuesday until 23.59pm, Friday.

It affects residents in the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Balonne Local Government Areas.

The fast-moving fires were threatening several properties on Monday. Picture: 7 News Brisbane

What you should do:

– If you have a bushfire survival plan, follow it now.

– Prepare now so you can leave quickly if the bushfire gets close:

– Decide where you and the people you live with will go. This could be with family or a friend away from the fire. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you will go.

– Charge mobile phones and power banks.

– Be ready to take your pets, pet food, pet lead or crate/carrier.

– Pack a bag with a mobile phone charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like ID, insurance papers, passports and photos), medicine, cash and keys.

– If you do not drive, call your support service, a family member or a friend to organise transport if you need to leave or want to leave.

– If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.

– Keep medications close by.

– Move flammable items away from your house if you can.

– Help others if it’s safe to do so.

– Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

– Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect air operations.

Originally published as Fire tears through properties, highway closed as residents told to flee