Parched southeast Queensland is again bracing for severe fire conditions as soaring heatwave temperatures grip the state.
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The dire forecast has emergency crews on alert, after one firefighter was injured and fears properties have been lost to a fast-moving bushfire on Queensland's Darling Downs.
The large fire, near Millmerran west of Toowoomba, has blackened almost 1200 hectares and continues to burn in the Western Creek State Forest near Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge.
There are 48 fires burning across the state and more than 200,000 hectares have been burnt since the start of the bushfire season.
Since early November, 20 homes have burnt to the ground.
The firefighter injured by a falling tree during back-burning operations was treated in hospital and later released.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner John Bolger says there are unconfirmed reports that two structures have been lost, but it's not known if they are sheds or homes.
Cypress Gardens resident Douglas Grist fled as the blaze roared towards his property on Wednesday.
"It looks like it (the house) could be lost, but I escaped with my life and the dogs," he told the ABC.
Conditions will be more challenging heading into the weekend, as temperatures 12 degrees above average push past 40 degrees in the Lockyer Valley and Ipswich on Friday, the weather bureau warned.
"In eastern parts of Queensland, we are experiencing heatwave conditions as we are seeing temperatures between two and six degrees above average," said Jess Gardner from the Bureau of Meteorology.
"That will continue to increase over the coming days, peaking on Friday and Saturday getting up to 12 degrees above average."
A 'leave now' warning remained in place for residents of Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge on Thursday afternoon.
The fire continues to burn near Cypress Avenue, Wallaby Drive, Koala Drive, Paddys Creek Road, Thyme Avenue, Basil Drive, Sage Road, Rosemary Court, Bay Road, Kimberley Drive and the Gore Highway, Cypress Gardens.
People who don't have a bushfire plan have been advised to leave.
Those who left on Wednesday have been told it's not safe to return, with an evacuation centre open at the Millmerran Showgrounds.
Australian Associated Press
