Strike teams called in as bushfires destroy 38 homes, sheds at Myall Park and Fairyland in the Western Downs

The Rural Fire Service is pouring resources into two large bushfires that are burning out of control while they also investigate a third and fourth fire that are believed to be the result of arson.

Strike teams have been called in from across Queensland and interstate to help local fire crews contain several large blazes that have destroyed an estimated 38 homes and structures across the Western Downs over the past three days.

Rural Fire Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said a large bush fire at Myall Park, north of Miles, destroyed more than 26,000 hectares of forest and farmland and showed no sign of stopping.

As of 11am on Wednesday, it remains uncontained.

Wayne Waltisbuhl, Superintendent RFS called on rural residents to prepare their properties for bushfire attacks. Picture: Nev Madsen

“It is about 15 per cent contained and the rest is out of control and running hard,” he said.

“We are working with earth moving machinery to get containment lines on the southern side, between the fire and Miles but to the north it is running freely.

“The fire has grown rapidly, it quickly developed a pyrocumulus cloud and developed its own weather system.

“There was no opportunity for firefighters to stop something like that.”

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services conducted a damage assessment on Tuesday and confirmed 18 structures were destroyed.

They are a mix of homes, sheds and other farm structures.

Hundreds of fire fighters are working to contain the large fire, supported by water bombers and it was hoped they would be able to do some back burning tonight as temperatures cool.

An emergency warning remains in place for Myall Park, Kowguran and Hookswood with QFES urging residents to leave immediately.

Several firebreaks remain in place to contain the original Tara bushfire.

Forty residents were displaced due to the emergency warning with the Tara Community Shelter opened as the main point of refuge.

A new spot fire has broken out in Columboola on the Warrego Highway with crews working to extinguish the 2km blaze.

The fire remains largely contained however emergency crews are concerned this could change quickly due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Meanwhile a large fire near Fairyland, north of Jandowae, has moved into the Barakula State Forest.

“The side of the fire near Pelican is contained but the northern side is running out of control,” Supt Waltisbuhl said.

Heading west, fire fighters have contained and extinguished two fires that were burning in Wieambilla that Supt Waltisbuhl said were deliberately lit.

“We do understand that the Wieambilla fires were probably arson and we are working with police to confirm that,” he said.

Dozens of residents fled the fires and took refuge at the Tare Community Centre after flames spread on Sunday afternoon.

It was hoped they could return to the properties by late Tuesday afternoon however at least some of them may not have a home to go back to with QFES confirming at least 20 structures were destroyed.

“We saw some of the worst fire weather we have seen for many years, extreme fire weather produces fast moving fires,” he said

“Sunday at about 1.30pm the weather was at its peak, with high heat, strong winds and low humidity.

“Once the ignition started it took a really strong run quickly.”

Firefighters are warning the high heat and dry, windy conditions will last into March and Supt Waltisbuhl urged residents to check their evacuation plans and prepare their properties.

This includes clearing debris, mowing long grass, cleaning gutters and staying tuned to the QFES alerts

Originally published as Strike teams called in as bushfires destroy 38 homes, sheds at Myall Park and Fairyland in the Western Downs