The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has issued a "Seek Shelter Now" alert for a very dangerous bushfire in the rural area of Teelah, north of Blackbutt. The blaze is burning near Stretton Drive, and homes could be at risk.
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff said the council was working with the QFD and planned to set up evacuation centres. "In that Teelah area in particular, just keep on watching the Queensland Fire Department Website and do whatever they've instructed you to do," she said.
Further south, a bushfire near Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs region prompted the evacuation of six homes overnight. Firefighters worked to control the blaze near Murphy Crossing Road at Nundubbermere, about 230 kilometres south-west of Brisbane.
Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Superintendent Shaun Toohey said the fire was likely caused by a permitted burn that jumped containment lines several weeks ago. He noted the property owner had been helping crews work to contain the fire.
"Unfortunately, with the conditions we have down there, a fire on the landscape is going to have a couple of weeks to exhaust itself," Mr Toohey said. "It's an accidental piece that's occurred, but I'm really thankful for the work that property owner has done with our crews over the last fortnight."
Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Melissa Hamilton said while there were no reports of property damage, the drought-affected region was bracing for a difficult bushfire season. "That is a reminder for people to be incredibly cautious," she said. "The window for permitted burns is no doubt closing very fast. It is an absolute warning as we are now entering our fire season. It is dry, and we are completely reliant on weather conditions at the moment, with several fires around the region."
Nundubbermere resident Cenedra Rogers said she decided not to evacuate after emergency services visited her yesterday. "We decided to stay just because we have our full faith in the fire crews. If it got bad, they would probably leave, and we would follow them," she said.
Ms Rogers said she watched the situation closely as burnt leaves fell from the sky. She believes the blaze spread to a neighbouring property. "We climbed up the hill to have a look, and we could see flames leaping into the air from the treetops, which was a bit scary," she said. "It just came closer and closer and closer until the fire crews started back-burning and trying to do whatever they could to push it away."
Residents of the six rural properties near Stanthorpe are returning to their homes today after evacuating overnight. Emergency crews are monitoring the fire, which continues to burn near Murphy Crossing Road.