Properties lost, hundreds evacuated as out-of-control bushfire rages
At least two properties have been lost and hundreds of residents along the central Queensland coast have been evacuated as two out-of-control bushfires continue to wreak havoc.
The fires, about 115 kilometres north of Bundaberg, continued to burn overnight and fire crews were still trying to contain the flames, which have forced 300 people to flee.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the bushfire started in Round Hill on Thursday afternoon and by the time it reached Deepwater National Park on Saturday, it had split into two separate fires.
Forty crews battled the Deepwater fire on Sunday and 25 crews and four aircraft were still working to contain the Round Hill fire on Monday morning.
A shed and caravan have been lost according to a QFES spokeswoman and there have also been unconfirmed reports of flames reaching houses.
Waterbombers and reconnaissance aircraft were expected to rejoin the fight on Monday.
Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said he had met with Agnes Water mayor Matt Burnett and about 300 people had been evacuated so far. QFES said there were 600-800 residents in the evacuation area.
Deepwater residents have been urged evacuate with the "dangerous and unpredictable" fire expected to have a "significant impact" on the community.
Residents should evacuate west towards Miriam Vale using Tableland Road and Fingerboard Road, toward the evacuation point in the Miriam Vale Community Centre.
Round Hill residents remain on standby to evacuate as a second large fire moves north-east through Deepwater National Park.
QFES commissioner Katarina Carroll urged residents to listen to authorities after 300 overnight evacuations from the Deepwater community and more expected on Monday.
"Unfortunately the variable winds are making things very unpredictable as to what is going to happen throughout the day," she told The Today Show.
"You may have to act very, very quickly."
The fire was about 10,000 hectares in size and homes on the threat to homes on the outskirts of Agnes Water had been reduced overnight tanks to stronger containment lines and backburning.
Paramedics remained on standby at the scene and had only assessed two people on Sunday for potential smoke inhalation and heat stress.
On Sunday, the out-of-control blaze on the central Queensland coast had already burnt 9000 hectares of land, sending flames 12 metres into the air.
Police declared an emergency situation at 1.45pm and with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged residents in the affected areas to flee.
"We’ve got a very small window of opportunity now for residents to leave so if you are living in those areas of Baffle Creek and Deepwater we really do need you to listen to authorities and please for the sake of your family please listen and please leave," she said.
- with Ruth McCosker
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