Weak easterly winds bringing cooler, humid air should help Queensland crews battling more than 90 bushfires but severe weather is forecast to return.

November 18, 2019

Residents in parts of Queensland’s Scenic Rim have been forced from their homes as a large, “unpredictable” bushfire approaches under worsening conditions.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) warned Tarome residents late on Sunday that a “large, unpredictable” fire west of the town was travelling eastward and could have a significant impact on the community.

“Conditions are getting worse,” the QFES said.

People living close to or on Ryan Road, Hinrichsen Road, Simmonds Road, Campsite Road and McGuire Road were at risk and were advised to leave and seek shelter at the Kalbar School of Arts Hall in Kalbar.

Firefighters are hoping cooler conditions may give them a break on Monday as they battle more than 90 bushfires across the state, but severe weather appears set to return midweek.

The most challenging blazes are at Ravensbourne and Esk, near Toowoomba, and the fire at Tarome, where residents were told to evacuate.

Campers were also evacuated late on Sunday from the path of a dangerous fire on Moreton Island, off Brisbane, ahead of an expected wind change.

Weakening winds on Monday should see fire conditions ease from severe to very high, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

“It’s still elevated but it’s obviously a big improvement from the extremes of (Sunday),” meteorologist Jess Gardner told AAP.

“The wind direction is switching from a westerly, where it brings hot dry air, to an easterly, where it’s cooler and more humid.” 

Temperatures will also fall, however, the fire danger looks set to remain at very high for most of the week.

It could become severe on the Darling Downs on Wednesday, with Toowoomba forecast to reach 35C.

On Moreton Island, a wind change overnight could challenge firefighters as it shifts from north to south.

“But moving into tomorrow we should see the wind on a decreasing trend throughout the day,” Ms Gardner said.