On Friday night, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) issued emergency warnings for Tara and Wieambilla residents, telling them to “leave immediately”.
Properties between Blackburns Road, Wieambilla Road, Clynes Road, Joseph Road, Chinchilla Tara Road and Upper Humbug Road are at risk from a “large, dangerous fire is burning near Ravens Road”.
Earlier in the afternoon, fire authorities issued evacuation orders for residents in Shellytop Road at Durong, Moonie near Dalby, Tara and parts of Wieambilla.
QFES warned residents in eight communities on Friday to prepare to leave, including those in parts of Durong, Carnarvon Gorge, Buckland, Rewan, Kogan, parts of Wieambilla, Breakaway at Mount Isa and Lowmead near Miriam Vale.
“With the extreme fire dangers that we’ve had today, particularly across the western parts of the state, that’s put pressure on a number of the containment lines,” Queensland Rural Fire Service Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Hollier said.
Gusty wind conditions have made conditions difficult for firefighters tackling a blaze in Tara, while crews will work into the night to establish containment lines on the Moonie fire.
There are several fires burning in the Mount Isa area, with a blaze to the north and another to the north-west causing particular concern for fire crews preparing to work well into the night.
The Carnarvon Gorge fire in the south of the state is a large fire, particularly to the northern end of the blaze, with wind conditions putting pressure on crews.
Firefighters have held the containment lines of the Halliford fire near Dalby but crews will continue to work to make sure it is controlled.
There have also been new outbreaks at Midge Point near Prosperpine and Lowmead near Miriam Vale this afternoon.
Conditions are easing in the south-east of the state with spasmodic rain and firefighters are taking the opportunity to get these blazes under control.
It comes after 32 homes and 17 sheds and other buildings were destroyed after fires at Tara in recent days.
The blaze covers an area of 20,000 hectares.
As the situation continues, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has extended a local fire ban for south-western region residents until midnight tonight.
The initial fire ban was imposed on Tuesday for residents in the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Balonne Local Government Areas.
“Current fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly,” a QFES spokesperson said.
“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.
“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.
“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.”
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