Fires break out on Queensland east coast as Australia braces for hottest September in years

Sydney temperatures will be as high as 36 as a string of hot days hits Australia’s northeast and puts a number of Queensland towns at risk of bushfire.

Temperatures spiked across the country at the weekend, with bushfires breaking out near the Queensland towns of Emerald, Julago and Beerwah.

A five-day string of temperatures of 30C and above is predicted across the country’s northeast.

Residents in Emerald and Beerwah were warned to leave immediately by Queensland Fire and Emergency, while alerts were also issued for the towns of Julago, Mount Tom, Oak Valley, Howard and Burgowan.

The Emerald bushfire near Fairbairn state forest was brought under control about 6.30pm on Sunday.

This month is forecats to be the hottest September in the past six years.

Bushfire smoke seen in Julago, south of Townsville, on Sunday. Picture: Blair Jackson

Much of NSW, which has taken the brunt of the rising temperatures, has endured thick smoke following hazard-reduction burns.

In Sydney, air quality dipped dramatically but had begun to clear by Sunday, in time for the city’s marathon.

Runners were still affected, however, with 26 requiring hospital treatment and 40 receiving first aid because of the heat.

Seven runners were reported to be in a serious condition.

Temperatures in Beerwah on Queensland’s coast, where many of the fires had broken out, will hit a maximum of 34C on Thursday.

Temperatures in Darwin will be as high as 34C, and parts of Sydney will hit 36C.