Man killed as strong winds fan Queensland bushfires

A man has died and several homes have been destroyed in a bushfire that has been fanned by wild winds west of Toowoomba.

Firefighters tackle a blaze at Beerwah in Queensland. Picture: Beerwah Rural Fire Brigade

A man has died and several homes have been destroyed in a bushfire that has been fanned by wild winds west of Toowoomba.

Residents in the rural townships north of Tara, Wieambilla, Kogan, Goranba and Weranga in Queensland’s Western Downs were told to leave immediately on Wednesday as the fast-moving fire destroyed 11,000 hectares, with flames reportedly leaping meters into the air.

At least four homes and a shed have already been destroyed at Tara, with fears more buildings may be lost.

Firefighters were on Tuesday assessing the damage caused by the fire when the man’s body was discovered near a dam and a razed structure around 6.30pm.

Queensland police believe the victim to be a man who had been listed as missing.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service acting chief superintendent Warren Buckley said fires burning in the state were ­erratic and maintaining their ferocious intensity.

“I’m not going to mince words, it’s a dangerous fire,” Mr Buckley said. “People need to take heed of all the warnings that are currently out that way … such as advice as to whether they leave immediately or whether it’s not safe to ­return.”

Multiple ground crews and aircraft are working to contain a large, fast-moving grass fire burning near the Chinchilla-Tara Road at Tara. Picture QFES

Temperatures reached 40C in some parts of the region on Wednesday, with a blustery southerly wind change expected on Thursday potentially creating chall­enging conditions, according to Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy.

“When you get the winds northwestly now southerly, it means potentially creating a new fire front or at least changing direction,” Mr Hanniffy said, adding “temperatures should be a lot cooler over the Western Downs tomorrow”.

“We do have the risk of some afternoon showers and thunderstorm activity … obviously that will be a watch point.”

Multiple evacuation areas have been set up through the Western Downs region, with additional locations at Chinchilla and Dalby. The main township of Tara has not been evacuated.

A separate fire south of the Western Downs has claimed 3000ha of land, with warnings in place for Cypress Gardens, Millmerran Downs and Millmerran Woods. It has claimed one home in the area and is expected to be contained on Thursday.

About fires are currently burning across the state. Extreme firefighting conditions have been exacerbated by hot weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring extreme fire danger warnings for the Central West, North West and Channel Country on Thursday and Friday.

Gulf Country will also have an extreme fire danger warning in place on Friday.

Mr Hanniffy said wet conditions last year had created a lot of fuel for bushfires and would prove a big threat this summer.

“That’s compounded by the fact that we are in a drier climate driver – it’s a hotter climate driver as well so it favours well above ­average temperatures and also below average rainfall,” he said.

A report on man’s death will be prepared for the coroner.

Additional reporting: NCA NEWSWIRE