Two Bushfires Force Evacuations South-West of Brisbane

Residents in two south-east Queensland communities have been ordered to prepare to leave as bushfires burn in bushland about 50 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, with helicopter crews and ground teams working to contain the blazes.

The fires are burning at Flagstone near Jimboomba and at Mundoolun, Birnam and Veresdale Scrub near Beaudesert. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has issued "Watch and Act – Prepare to Leave" declarations for both areas, with evacuation orders first activated around midday at Flagstone and approximately 2:30pm for the Mundoolun district.

At Mundoolun, a large fire is burning near Eugenie Court and travelling towards King Coolum Reserve, where helicopter crews have been brought in to water-bomb the blaze. Ground teams are working across multiple fronts, including door-to-door warnings to alert residents in affected zones.

The Flagstone fire, described as slow-moving, is burning near Trailblazer Drive, Saunders Drive and Highgate Drive, with residents between Undullah Nature Reserve and the Railway Line, including those on Flagstonian Drive, placed in the evacuation zone. Despite the scale of the operation, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said no properties near Beaudesert were at immediate risk, though authorities stressed conditions could deteriorate rapidly.

Residents were urged to begin preparations immediately. Officials recommended packing a bag with a mobile phone charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents, medicine, cash and keys. "Decide where you and the people you live with will go," Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised. "Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you will go. Be ready to take your pets."

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen appealed for residents to remain prepared but calm. "This is the time to be planning, not posting photos on social media, and to think about your family's circumstances," he said. Refuge centres have been opened at Beaudesert Baptist Church and Beaudesert Showgrounds, with the showgrounds designated to accommodate residents with animals.

A community meeting was scheduled for the same evening at Flagstone Community College Hall to provide updates on fire conditions and preparedness measures. Residents seeking real-time information were directed to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website and the Scenic Rim Disaster Dashboard.