SE Queensland residents prepare to leave as bushfires spread

Residents across two south-east Queensland communities faced an anxious week as bushfires burned through bushland just 50 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, prompting emergency services to issue urgent prepare-to-leave warnings.

The fires, which erupted over the weekend, escalated significantly mid-week when the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service issued Watch and Act declarations for areas near Beaudesert and Jimboomba. The alerts reflected growing concern that conditions could deteriorate rapidly, with officials warning residents to make immediate evacuation plans rather than wait for a direct evacuation order.

At Flagstone, near Jimboomba, a slow-moving fire burned through bushland near Trailblazer Drive, Saunders Drive and Highgate Drive, tracking steadily toward residential areas. QFES warned residents in properties between Undullah Nature Reserve and the Railway Line, including those on Flagstonian Drive, to be ready to depart. The fire was expected to impact the community as evening approached.

More dramatically, a large fire at Mundoolun near Beaudesert threatened properties between Veresdale Scrub Road and Beaudesert. The blaze, burning near Eugenie Court, was advancing toward King Coolum Reserve. Helicopter crews were deployed for water-bombing operations in a critical effort to contain the spread.

In response to the escalating situation, emergency authorities activated evacuation centres at Beaudesert Baptist Church and Beaudesert Showgrounds. The showgrounds were configured to accommodate residents with animals, reflecting officials' understanding of practical barriers to evacuation.

"This is the time to be planning, not posting photos on social media," Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said, emphasising the importance of preparation over panic. He urged residents to think through family circumstances and evacuation routes while they had the luxury of time to decide.

A community meeting was held at Flagstone Community College Hall on Wednesday evening, where officials provided updates on fire progress, evacuation procedures, and what residents could expect in coming days. Door-knocking campaigns were simultaneously underway to ensure communities understood the severity of the threat.

QFES guidance was explicit: residents should prepare bags with essentials including mobile phone chargers, five days of clothing, important documents, medications, cash and house keys. Families with pets were urged to arrange carriers and leads before departing, and to identify evacuation destinations in advance—preferably with family or friends outside fire-affected areas.