Evacuation orders remain in place for parts of Queensland as bushfires continue to threaten lives and properties across several communities.
Fire authorities urged residents of Wieambilla to leave immediately at 2.45pm (local time) after warnings were issued for Tara and Mooney near Dalby earlier this afternoon.
The warning area in Moonie currently covers properties between Retreat Road, Telford Road, Old Moonie Highway and Narromine Road, including the Leichhardt Highway and the Moonie Highway.
Meanwhile, in Tara and Wieambilla, the warning area spans across properties between Blackburns Road, Wieambilla Road, Clynes Road, Joseph Road, Chinchilla Tara Road and Upper Humbug Road.
Other residents have been told to prepare to leave including Kogan, Wieambilla, Breakaway at Mount Isa, Lowmead near Miriam Vale, Carnarvon Gorge, Buckand and Rewan.
Residents of South Road in Tara and Lake Moondarra at Mount Isa will have to wait to return to their properties as it is currently not safe to return.
It comes after 32 homes and 17 sheds and other buildings were destroyed after fires at Tara in recent days.
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The blaze covers an area of 20,000 hectares.
As the situation continues, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has extended a local fire ban for south-western region residents until midnight tonight.
The initial fire ban was imposed on Tuesday for residents in the Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Balonne Local Government Areas.
“Current fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly,” a QFES spokesperson said.
“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.
“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.
“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.”
