Dry and windy conditions have pushed the fire danger rating to severe in parts of southern Queensland, as more than 50 fires burn across the state.
Brisbane meteorologist David Crock said the weather on Monday is a repeat of the conditions experienced four or five times since the start of the fire season in September.
"That combination of hot, dry and windy weather is the worst fire weather that we see, so the fire agencies and firefighters are certainly up against it today," he said.
The severe fire danger warning is in place on Monday for the southeast coast, Wide Bay and Burnett region, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields.
Residents living in the vicinity of the most concerning bushfire, burning north of Toowoomba, have been told to prepare to leave their homes as conditions could get worse quickly.
High temperatures are expected in far north Queensland early this week before pushing south, bringing maximums of around 40C in areas like the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim by the end of the week.
The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast could experience temperatures of 35C, while in Brisbane it could reach 37C on Friday.
Mr Crock said fire dangers were expected to remain very high, possibly reaching severe again in some parts of southern Queensland for the rest of the week.
There is little sign of rain with the climate outlook suggesting drier than average conditions in December and probably into January as well, Mr Crock said.
Australian Associated Press
