There are reports 12 people are trapped by a bushfire in central Queensland while another is burning out of control at near Herberton in the state’s north.

September 30, 2018

Rescue helicopters have been sent to Blackdown Tableland in central Queensland following reports 12 people are trapped by a bushfire.

The blaze is burning in the Blackdown Tableland National Park, 150km west of Rockhampton, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service says.

RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service says its crew and two other helicopters responded to the emergency at Rainbow Falls around 1.30pm.

The area is thick bush with a heavy canopy and the people will need to be winched out, an RACQ spokeswoman told AAP on Sunday.

Hiker Nicole Galea was caught up in the fire with her family earlier in the day but was able to run from the area. 

“What started out as an awesome day with our BFFs enjoying a hike in the beautiful Queensland Blackdown Tablelands ended in us running for our lives after a fire started about one kilometre into our hike to Rainbow Falls,” she said on Facebook.

The fire grew quickly in the dry conditions, she said.

“(We were) running with kids screaming … fire, heat at our backs, deafening sounds and roar of the fire,” she said.

Ms Galea said it was one of the scariest experiences of her life and she was praying for the people who had already walked to the falls earlier in the day.

“Heart still racing, got to the cars, warned all who we passed and got the f*** out of there,” she said.

The fire broke out early on Sunday around Charlevue Road at Dingo.

Meanwhile, residents near Herberton in far north Queensland have been warned it’s too late to leave as a bushfire burns out of control at Watsonville .

The fast-moving fire is travelling in a westerly direction towards Walsh River Road and is expected to reach the Christian Community Centre soon, firefighters say.

“The fire is expected to have a life-threatening impact on the community” of around 350 people, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday.