Residents urged to flee second Qld fire

Residents west of Mackay have been urged to evacuate in the face of a second major bushfire threatening homes in Queensland.

Residents in the path of a second destructive Queensland bushfire have been urged to leave their homes as the inferno threatens properties.

While not currently as big as the massive fire ripping through the Deepwater region between Gladstone and Bundaberg, this wildfire, which is moving towards Eungella west of Mackay, is also considered unpredictable and dangerous.

The blaze had been burning in the Finch Hatton area on Tuesday, and had moved north-westerly by Wednesday morning to threaten Eungella, with fire authorities warning of "significant impact" to the community.

Locals have been urged to evacuate to the south using Eungella Dam Road, with an evacuation centre has been set up at the Marian Town Hall.

Mackay deputy Mayor Amanda Camm said residents shouldn't be complacent about the risk.

"We'll certainly be watching closely the fire behaviour around the peak of the day today which is when the fire's really ramped up between 12pm and 2pm yesterday," Ms Camm told ABC news.

Conditions in many parts of Queensland have worsened on Wednesday, with temperatures above 40C and hot dry winds increasing the fire risk.

Over 80 fires are currently burning across the state.


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Source: AAP



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