Bushfire-hit parts of Queensland are starting to turn to recovery after 10 days of scorching conditions created an unprecedented crisis.
State Fire Commissioner Katarina Carroll says their focus is still on fighting the active fires, but they are also starting to count the cost of the blazes in many areas.
"(On Tuesday) we'll give some updates in terms of damage assessments. My crews are working throughout the state to get those up to date," Ms Carroll said.
"But even without my staff going and doing those assessments, there have been houses lost, sheds, farm equipment, livelihoods, and it really is a very sad time for those families."
On Monday evening, there were still more than 100 fires burning across the state, including significant blazes at Lowmead in Central Queensland, near the site of the Deepwater blaze that sparked the crisis, as well as on North Stradbroke Island off the southeast Queensland coast.
The weather bureau was predicting severe storms to hit many parts of the state on Monday evening, which senior forecaster Richard Wardle said would be a mixed blessing.
"This may complicate those firefighting activities with variable and gusty winds," Mr Wardle said.
The storms could also bring lightning strikes, which could start fires, as well as flash flooding or landslides after the fires stripped the areas of vegetation.
However, overall conditions have largely eased, with authorities moving to clean-up and recovery.
Residents in fire-affected parts are being urged not to return to their homes until it's safe to do so, with authorities warning some fires could reignite, while falling trees and landslides also pose a risk.
Australian Associated Press
