A large grass fire burning on the Sunshine Coast is back within containment lines after residents were urged to consider leaving their properties as strong winds fanned the blaze.
The fire was travelling in a southwest to northeasterly direction as of 10:15am on Saturday, with emergency services advising residents to finalise their bushfire plans.
But in updated advice shortly before 1pm, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services revised down the warning level and said the blaze was back within containment lines.
A large smoke haze could be seen approaching Caloundra on Saturday morning, fanned by winds gusting up to 60km/h.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan has said the warmer-than-expected conditions in late winter, coupled with excess vegetation resulting from Cyclone Debbie, means conditions are perfect for large bushfires.
"Our more than 30,000 rural firefighters have been working hard since April putting in firebreaks, completing hazard reduction burns and running community events to prepare Queenslanders for the 2017 bushfire season," Mr Ryan said in a statement.
"But bushfires can occur at any time and you don't need to live near bushland to be affected so we are asking everyone to be on the lookout and to report any vegetation fires to triple-zero immediately."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said firefighters were anticipating a long bushfire season.
"In line with the findings of the Northern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, firefighters are reporting above normal fire activity in parts of the state," Mr Wassing said.
"We may experience another long bushfire season similar to last year, which saw around 6000 bushfires and lasted 198 days."
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