An emergency exclusion zone has been established and residents are being told to prepare to leave as a bushfire threatens parts of Millmerran in Queensland's Darling Downs.
Police have established an exclusion zone between the Gore Highway, Millmerran Woods Road and Wondul Range National Park.
People living in Millmerran Woods, Cypress Gardens and The Pines are being told to prepare to leave.
Around 30 firefighters were fighting the fire on Monday evening and late last night the alert level was downgraded from watch and act to advice.
Rural Fire Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said it was between 350-400 hectares in size and was "burning quite intensely".
"Whilst it's not as huge as it can be, it's quite fast moving through some heavy vegetations," he said.
The fire began on Monday morning and was worsened by dry conditions.
"As the afternoon came on our fire danger increased and the fire behaviour became quite erratic," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.
"We are still attempting full containment of that fire.
He said three water bomber aircraft have been assisting fire fighters on the ground.
"The crews on the ground have been supported by water bombers all afternoon and certainly have slowed the progress down," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.
"It's difficult to control fires in this country.
"It's all bushland and lifestyle blocks."
Bill Good lives around eight kilometres from the fire.
"The sirens have been blaring this afternoon … and there's a lot of smoke," he said.
"We've had hot and dry weather, and we had a lot of grass come up during winter.
"There's a fair bit of pine in there. It's very dry. I drove through there the other day and thought, 'Man, I'd hate to see a fire go through' — and that's exactly what's happening now."
Possible wind change
Firefighters are concerned about a predicted wind change at around 10pm, which could push the fire in a new direction towards homes.
"We could have a head fire that could be maybe a kilometre long," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.
"There a couple of structures in that path that we've been working really hard to protect."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has received "unconfirmed reports" that some structures have been damaged by the fire.
"Firefighters have not been able to gain access into those areas and it was unsafe," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.
"We'll get more information on that as the fire subsides and it's a bit safer to move in and get some determination on what the losses are."
No one is believed to be hurt or missing in the fire.
Toowoomba Regional Council has set up an evacuation centre at the Millmerran showgrounds.
Reinforcement firefighters will arrive at Millmerran Tuesday morning.
"We're quite concerned about the current conditions," Superintendent Waltisbuhl said.
"Fire danger for the rest of the week is very similar, hot and dry days and gusty winds from all different directions.
"We need to make sure that people are vigilant… Please listen to messaging and act quickly upon that messaging."
