Catastrophic fire conditions have now been declared in parts of north and central Queensland, with firefighters contending with hot, dry conditions and gusty winds.
Queensland firefighters have declared “catastrophic fire risks” for the the Capricornia and Central Highlands regions – the highest level for the state.
Police have been going house to house in Deepwater to evacuate residents. Source: AAP
People in those areas are being told to stay home unless they’ve already been told to leave as they may only have minutes to evacuate from incoming fires.
More than 1000 people had already left their homes near the Deepwater fire, south of Agnes Water on the state's central coast, as of Wednesday morning.
Earlier, frustrated firefighters issued a warning to those refusing to flee the small fishing community of Rules Beach – telling them they could “burn to death” as massive bushfires approached the area.
Many have ignored pleas to flee to safety and some residents are in the direct path of the inferno, even after police banged on their doors on Tuesday night.
Around 50 properties in the area have residents who are refusing to leave, which is frustrating authorities.
Deputy Police Commissioner Bob Gee said officers were doing a final sweep of the area, but after that residents would be on their own.
"If you have children with you, you need to think really hard about not losing a house, but losing the people you care most about," Mr Gee said.
"People will burn to death. Their normal approaches probably won't work if this situation develops the way it is predicted to develop. It is no different to a Category 5 cyclone coming through your door."
"The beach may not be a safe option. Leave now."
There are concerns Hills Road Bridge, which is the only land bridge connecting the area, will be destroyed in the fire, cutting off any chance of escape for locals who remain.
A hundred firefighters from NSW have arrived to reinforce exhausted Queensland crews. Source: AAP
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the conditions in the area reminded him of the Ash Wednesday fires in Victoria which he experienced firsthand as a firefighter.
"I'm sure that some people have probably got very good and elaborate systems of pumps and dams and systems and they believe that 'I'll be OK and I know what I'm doing and I've done this before,'" Mr Crawford said.
"Today is not one of those days. Today is different. We are expecting a firestorm."
The firestorm would likely create "dead man zones" which would be impossible to survive, even in a car.
More than 80 fires are burning across the state, but the Deepwater fire and another at Dalrymple, west of Mackay, are of the most concern.
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was incredibly frustrating to have to continually urge residents to leave a clearly dangerous situation.
"We predicted that the circumstances and conditions today were going to be horrific," Ms Carroll said.
"I've got to say, I'm getting a little bit frustrated about delivering the message constantly to leave now. So I implore once more, that you leave now."
Interstate crews arrived on Tuesday to help fight the inferno in central Queensland that's destroyed homes and burnt through at least 20,000 hectares of bush and farmland since Saturday.
Eight aircraft, including a massive water-bombing plane, which can dump 15,000 litres at a time, are also fighting the fire.
Crews from South Australia are expected to arrive on Wednesday, with more from around Australia to arrive later this week.
