Race to contain Queensland bushfires as heatwave looms
Efforts continue in the battle to contain bushfires in the Western Downs region of Queensland. Photo: AAP
A major bushfire continues to burn through thousands of hectares of vegetation in Queensland’s Western Downs as firefighters brace for predicted heatwave conditions.
Multiple emergency warnings are in place for residents living to the north of Miles, northwest of Brisbane.
The alert warns a large, fast-moving fire is travelling from Welshs Road and L Tree Creek Road towards the Leichhardt Highway.
A second warning was issued for the Hookswood Pelham Road area for a large fire burning within containment lines between Ryalls Road and Gearys Road.
The Miles blaze continues to increase in size, growing from 30,000 to 46,000 hectares overnight.
The fire has scorched through forest and scrub as firefighters brace for conditions to deteriorate while temperatures spike.
Maximum temperatures at Miles are expected to be 35C or above until at least the middle of next week, the Bureau of Meteorology says. No rain is forecast for the period.
Fourteen bushfires continue to burn across Queensland, with a dozen still causing concerns in the southwest.
Dozens of homes and sheds have been destroyed alongside property and farming equipment.
A fire in the Tara believed to have impacted at least 20 structures, including homes and sheds, has been contained, the QFES said.
Fire crews across the state remain on alert and aircraft on standby as the fire danger deepens in the coming days.
No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported.
– AAP