Outbreak of fires across Queensland brought on by hot conditions prompts warning

An outbreak of bushfires across Queensland over the weekend has prompted fire authorities to warn the public to be prepared in the coming weeks. Homes were evacuated and the Warrego Highway closed in both directions on Sunday after a fire broke out in Plainland in the Lockyer Valley. Fire authorities said the flames got to "within a few metres" of a number of properties but no structural losses were recorded. Further north a blaze broke out between the Bruce and Burnett Highways, south of Rockhampton. Acting deputy chief officer for the Queensland Rural Fire Service, Joel Gordon, said the weekend had brought "very challenging" fire conditions. He said elevated conditions are expected to remain for "the coming weeks" until any significant rainfall. A bushfire that caught alight near Plainlands on Sunday came within metres of properties. ( ABC News ) "Dry conditions have seen the likes of Goondiwindi, the Balonne and the South Downs drought declared. We are now seeing those dry conditions continue to move further and further towards the east." Mr Gordon said cooler conditions yesterday had given fire crews the chance to strengthen containment lines but a number of fires remained active and uncontained. "We are still seeing the dry fuel loads and the winds starting to impact those fires and we're still seeing a number of them running quite hard," he said. Mr Gordon said south-east Queenslanders needs to "take the warning" from the outbreak of fires. "People need to be prepared, we need to take the warning and realise that fires under these conditions could get up and running quite quickly." Bureau of Meteorology community information officer Daniel Hayes said the "well above average" temperatures across the south-east were the hottest September temperatures recorded since 2019. Mr Hayes said south-east Queensland's longer term outlook is still generally dry. "Week to week rainfall may vary somewhat but the long range outlooks still have a tendency towards drier than average conditions," Mr Hayes said. Be prepared QFD Assistant Chief Officer Mark Doble said Queensland has now entered its high risk bushfire period, with authorities responding to 180 fires across Queensland over the weekend. Mr Doble urged communities along the coast which have seen more rainfall not to become complacent. A bushfire broke out near Ripley, south of Ipswich, on Monday afternoon. ( ABC News ) "Certainly you don't have to go far inland before that fuel dries out," he said. "Just make sure to stay up to date with the conditions and visit the Queensland Fire Department website to make sure you are aware of current warnings in the area." The Queensland Fire Department has some tips for preparing for a bushfire, including: Clean up around the yard Clean out the gutters Ensure you have a survival plan in place When slashing or mowing, be mindful of surroundings Always heed the warnings