Emergency warnings issued for fast-moving fires in southern Queensland

Emergency warnings were issued for several bushfires in southern Queensland on Monday, with fire crews battling multiple blazes across the region.

An emergency warning remains in place for a bushfire at Tara, with properties between Chinchilla Tara Road, Timothy Road, Weitzels Road, Tara Kogan Road, Spinifex Road at risk.

Residents were urged to leave immediately early in the afternoon, and evacuation centres were set up at the Western Downs Regional Council centre.

Residents at Cypress Gardens and Millmerran Downs, about 250 kilometres west of Brisbane, were also urged to leave early in the afternoon, before the warning was downgraded to watch and act at 8:37pm.

Queensland Rural Fire Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said six water-bombing aircraft had been called in to help.

He said resources had been stretched due to the multiple fires across the region.

A watch and act warning also remains in place at Captains Mountain, with people urged to prepare to leave.

Warnings for a bushfire at Hendon, near Allora on the Southern Downs, were downgraded to advice level, with residents being urged to stay informed.

Superintendent Waltisbuhl said the fire, which has burnt more than 200 hectares of land, was being investigated and at this stage was considered suspicious.

Fire ban issued

Warm conditions hampered firefighting efforts on Monday, and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued a local fire ban for southern and south-west Queensland.

The ban will be in place from Tuesday morning and apply to the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Balonne council areas.

Superintendent Waltisbuhl said authorities were expecting dry conditions with humidity forecast to be under 30 per cent.

"We're moving into dangerous conditions," he said.

All permits to light fires will be suspended during the ban.

Story By: ABC Southern Qld / By David Chen

Original Story link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-23/emergency-warnings-issued-for-southern-qld-bushfires/103010840