Days after fleeing their homes, people have been told it is still not safe to return as bushfires continue to burn in central Queensland.
North Queensland was also hit by a fast-moving fire, with authorities at one point on Thursday asking residents near Mareeba to prepare to evacuate.
Firefighters have been battling all week to control a bushfire in the deepwater region of Central Queensland near Gladstone, which has destroyed more than 3,000 hectares since Sunday.
Officers with water bomber air support again worked through the evening as about 20 crew members attempted to contain the large fire burning between Oyster Creek Road and Pacific Drive on Thursday evening.
Police and SES helped Deepwater residents to safety on Tuesday evening as they were forced to leave their homes.
Days after fleeing their homes, people have been told it is still not safe to return as bushfires continue to burn in central Queensland.
With one home destroyed, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) warned on Thursday it was still not safe for them to return as firefighters continued to battle the blaze.
Miriam Vale Community Center and Rosedale Hotel have opened as refuges for those in need of shelter.
“As soon as possible, as soon as it is safe, we will open it up so people can come home,” Paul Storrs of the QFES told reporters.
In north Queensland, a warning was issued to residents of Granite Creek near Mareeba, but has since been canceled after conditions eased, QFES said.
In the past 24 hours, crews have battled 54 fires across the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology said challenging conditions still lie ahead.
There is currently a high fire danger rating for much of central and western Queensland, with no change in sight.
“Heading into the weekend, we expect to see a warming trend almost statewide,” an agency spokesperson told AAP.
‘That will increase the fire risk. It will still be quite challenging firefighting conditions this weekend.”
With one home destroyed, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services warned it was still not safe for people to return as firefighters continued to battle the blaze. QFES vehicles shown
Warming trends are expected to continue until early next week.
While central Queensland will warm, it won’t be the hardest hit area.
The agency said the southern inland towns of Charleville, Roma, Goondiwindi and St George appeared poised to face the harshest temperatures.
“By the middle of next week we will see highs for those locations reach around 40 degrees, which is about 10 degrees above average,” the agency said.