WHERE IS THE BUSHFIRE?
The fire began on Saturday at Deepwater National Park, between Bundaberg and Gladstone.
A disaster declaration has been made for Baffle Creek Catchment, Wartburg, Deepwater, Agnes Water, Round Hill, Miriam Vale and Bororen
At 1700 AEST on Monday it was affecting the Agnes Water and Baffle Creek communities, with people in Deepwater were being urged "to leave now:
Rules Beach and Oyster Creek are also expected to be affected on Monday night.
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HOW BIG IS IT?
* 17,000 hectares had been burned as at 5pm Queensland time on Monday.
* Spot fires are flaring up two hours ahead of the fire.
* At some points the fire front has extended 66km.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
* Two homes at Deepwater have been destroyed and an unknown number damaged.
* At least 50 homes have so far been saved.
* The number of destroyed homes is likely to rise as the fire advances, and when fire crews enter burnt out areas and tally damage.
* Cars, caravans and animals are also likely to have been destroyed.
WHO IS BEING EVACUTED?
* The communities of Agnes Water, Baffle Creek and Deepwater, with emergency shelters set up at Miriam Vale and Agnes Water away from the fire's path.
* Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford has signed a disaster declaration, meaning authorities can force people to leave their homes in the area.
WHAT'S CAUSING THE BLAZE?
* "Unprecedented conditions" for the region
* Temperatures up to 10C above average
* Hot, unseasonally dry winds
* Very erratic wind direction, frequently changing
* Lots of rain in spring increasing fuel load
* Heatwaves are expected to continue throughout the week
WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS?
* The fire is so big it is now fuelling itself by creating its own winds.
* Hot air has risen to 3000 metres where it then cools and drops suddenly back into the base of the fire, making it more powerful.
* An ember storm has also developed behind the base of the fire.
WHO'S BATTLING THE BLAZE?
* 45 crews are battling the blaze on the ground
* Seven water bombing aircraft
* 100 firefighters from NSW will arrive on Tuesday with requests for more crews to be put to other states
WHAT SHOULD LOCALS DO?
* Listen to local advice and obey police and fire crews' directions
* Stay away from homes in fire zone
* Attend information sessions in Miriam Vale at noon and Agnes Water at 6pm
