Police have blocked access to a southeast Queensland town and residents have been told it's not safe to return to their homes as crews battle a fast-moving bushfire.
People in parts of Kooralbyn in the Scenic Rim were earlier warned to leave as conditions worsened in the hours after police made an emergency declaration for the town on Friday afternoon.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service later downgraded the warning for the streets of Stephens Place, Flagstaff Close and Smales Close, but said it was not safe for residents to return.
Other warnings are in place for the town and nearby areas, while police are diverting those attempting to Kooralbyn to Tamrookum Hall as a place of refuge.
The earlier police declaration set up an exclusion zone said directed those already in Kooralbyn, within the road closure area, to go to the community hall.
