Residents in a southeast Queensland town have been told to leave immediately as crews battle a large fast-moving bushfire.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency service told people in The Pines near Millmerran in the streets of Flamingo Road, Rosella Avenue, Scrubby Creek Boondanilla Road and the Gore Highway to leave immediately on Saturday evening.

“A large, fast-moving fire is burning near Pine Ridge Road,” authorities said, adding that it was expected to affect The Pines “very soon”.

The emergency bushfire warning was downgraded to a watch and act notice at 2am on Sunday, with QFES saying firefighters were still working to contain the fire and that it was not safe to return yet.

The watch and act alert was the only one of its kind in Queensland while there were three “stay informed” advice notices across the state.

Police on Saturday morning removed an order preventing people in a fire zone in Kooralbyn in the Scenic Rim from returning to their homes.

The residents had been ordered out on Friday afternoon as crews battled a fast-moving bushfire and police made an emergency declaration to evacuate the town.

—AAP