Homes destroyed as 84 fires burn in one state

More than 80 fires were burning across the state on Sunday morning, including the deadly Western Downs bushfire.

At least 35 homes have been lost and 30,000 hectares of land has been burnt in the blazes.

Those who live in properties at The Gums between Chinchilla Tara Road, Millers Road, Bakers Road, McCasker Road and Upper Humbug Road have been told to prepare to leave.

An emergency warning has been downgraded to Watch and Act for the communities of Tara, Wieambilla and The Gums. Residents have been told it is still not safe to return.

“A large, dangerous fire is burning near Ravens Road. It is travelling towards Blackburns Road. Conditions could get worse quickly. Firefighters are working to contain the fire,” the QFES said.

Residents have been told to not expect a firefighter at their door.

A Watch and Act alert remains in place for residents in Condamine, Barramornie and Kogan, who have been urged to prepare to leave as the fire near Ravens Road continues to blaze.

Meanwhile, it is still not safe for residents in Tara and Montrose North to return to their homes.

Watch and Act alerts were also remain for Carnarvon Gorge and surrounding areas in the central highlands.

Residents in Colosseum and Mount Tom in the Gladstone region have been urged to stay away from their homes as it remains not safe to return.

Queensland Police removed an emergency declaration late on Saturday night after a fast-moving fire threatened the towns of Landsborough and Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.

Residents were ordered to evacuate shortly after 8pm but the order was revoked as there was no longer a threat to property.

By Sunday morning, QFES downgraded the alert again to Advice for properties between Steve Irwin Way, the Bruce Highway, Dianella Road, and Harding Road.

QFES said firefighting aircraft were helping ground crew and fire suppressants would be used to proactively protect properties near Hardwood Road.

Major roads or highways are expected to be impacted, including Dianella Road.

The fire was burning near the African Savannah parklands and QFES worked to push the fire away from nearby Australia Zoo.

A total fire ban remains in place for a majority of the state.

Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said conditions had improved but warned hot winds coming down from the outback could push several regions across New South Wales into danger on Monday.

The North Western, Upper Central West Plains, Lower Central West Plains, Central Rangers, Greater Sydney Region, Illawarra/Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges regions have been issued an Extreme fire danger rating.

While temperatures are set to drop across the region on Tuesday, Ms Osborne said conditions in Southern Queensland will “spike”.

“We could see further flare ups. There is nothing coming to put out those fires just yet,” she said.

Originally published as Anxious wait for residents as fires blaze across Queensland