Too dangerous to leave: 'Life-threatening' bushfire ravages Queensland town

A massive fire bearing down on Laidley in Queensland's Lockyer Valley is believed to have claimed at least one house.

Laidley residents were warned to seek shelter on Tuesday afternoon after a fire started in dangerous conditions and raged toward the town in a northeasterly direction.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said it was too dangerous to leave the town, 80 kilometres west of Brisbane.

"Driving now would be extremely dangerous," they said at 3pm.

"The fire is expected to have a life-threatening impact on the community".

The ABC is reporting at least one house has been lost with pictures of the damage.

QFES said they would not be able to clarify that until after the fire is contained.

Police declared an emergency zone bounded by Railway Street, Drayton Road, Rosewood-Laidley Road, Old Grandchester Road, Range Crescent, Patrick Street and Vaux Street.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council was contacted for comment but said the mayor was unavailable because her house was under threat.

The council's Facebook page says a temporary evacuation centre is open at Laidley Cultural Centre for residents fleeing the flames.

Posts on the page offered help and urged people with animals to go to the showgrounds.

Meanwhile residents at another blaze nearby, at Grandchester, were urged to leave as that unpredictable fire barrelled east towards them.

It is expected to impact homes on Ryan Road, Range Crescent, Kessling Drive, Mountain Road, Clearidge Court, Buhse Court and Old Grandchester Road.

They were just two of 20 fires burning across Queensland on Tuesday in unseasonably hot, windy weather.

Many are in central Queensland, which has a severe fire danger warning.

Temperatures in the Lockyer Valley reached 41C on Tuesday as gusty, westerly winds fanned another dangerous bushfire that threatens the township of Thornton.

That began a week ago from a lightning strike in inaccessible country in Glen Rock State Forest.

It was met with water bombers and fire crews on Monday after it emerged out of the national park and into grazing land.

Meteorologist Vince Rowlands said the fire danger in the southeast corner would drop from severe to very high on Wednesday as a cooler trough starts to push through.

He said some areas could even receive rain by Friday, with falls of up to 40mm possible on Saturday.

Queensland's bushfire season began in September with devastating fires forcing evacuations – the worst in the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Granite Belt regions.

Firefighters said they were well prepared for this week's spike in temperatures across tinder-dry country and want the public to be ready also.

‘Very dangerous’ bushfire spreads quickly in NSW

An out-of-control bushfire burning in northern NSW has destroyed a number of buildings and homes, with the RFS telling residents it is too late to flee the "very dangerous" blaze which it says is spreading quickly.

The fire is burning at Busbys Flat, Wyan, Myrtle Creek and Rappville – south of Casino – and has burned through more than 4200 hectares, the Rural Fire Service said on Tuesday.

In a tweet posted later in the evening the RFS said there were reports the fire had already destroyed a number of homes and buildings.

"If you are in the area of Rappville, Wyan, The Island, Myrtle Creek, Wineshanty, or Mount Belmore State Forest it is now too late to leave," the RFS said in its official advice.

"Take shelter as the fire approaches and protect yourself from the heat of the fire. The fire is moving quickly in an easterly direction and has crossed the Summerland Way ... (it) is very dangerous and is spreading quickly."

Firefighters are battling strong winds and hot conditions as they try to contain the blaze. Those dangerous fire conditions are expected to continue for several hours – and the RFS says the fire is still spreading.

The strong winds are blowing embers ahead of the fire front, creating spot fires that are threatening properties before the main firefront arrives.

Emergency warnings have also been issued for two other bushfires burning in northern NSW.

The out-of-control blazes at Kildare Road at Tenterfield and Long Gully Road at Drake triggered emergency warnings on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents living in the Tenterfield area have been advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

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