An emergency bushfire warning has been issued for Queensland’s Tablelands region, with residents in one rural town urged to evacuate immediately.
A large fire is currently burning and sending up smoke near Warruma Swamp Road between Onyx Street and Harrison Road in Mount Garnet and is expected to spread to the Kennedy Highway very soon, the Queensland Fire Department has advised.
It is impacting properties and may also affect power, water and mobile phone services.
Firefighters are at the scene now but warns that crews may not be able to stop the fire from getting closer.
Multiple emergency bushfire warnings are in place between Rutile Street and Cemetery Road as of 3.32pm (AEST) today.
Residents are urged to leave immediately as their lives could be at risk and, soon, it will be too dangerous to drive.
An evacuation site has been set up at Innot Hot Springs Progress Association Hall on Kennedy Highway.
“Go to a place away from the Emergency Warning area. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you are going,” the fire department said.
Queenslanders are advised to check for road closures before leaving at the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.
Those who can’t leave safely are advised to turn on garden sprinklers to soak the ground, bring outdoor furniture and mats inside or away from the home, find a safe place to shelter, close windows, doors and vents and seal gaps with wet towels.
They can also fill containers with water for drinking and bring pets inside.
