A bushfire described as large and "volatile" is burning behind homes near Lake Weyba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, prompting authorities to evacuate about 60 houses.

Key points: QFES says there are about 70 bushfires burning across Queensland

QFES says there are about 70 bushfires burning across Queensland Homes around Peregian Springs were evacuated, though some residents were allowed to return to their homes late on Wednesday

Homes around Peregian Springs were evacuated, though some residents were allowed to return to their homes late on Wednesday The Mount Maria fire has burnt through more than 1,500 hectares of bush

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said the fire broke out at about 1:00pm and flared as conditions deteriorated throughout the afternoon.

Residents of Peregian Springs, Lake Weyba and Weyba Downs were told in an alert at 6:10pm to "leave now" if they did not have a bushfire plan ready.

Crews were still working into the night to contain the blaze, but Acting Inspector Geoff Hunter said conditions would be more favourable overnight.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 13 seconds 13 s The fire was burning near homes at Peregian Springs.

"It's looking good so far," he said.

"Unlike some of the fires we've had, we've got a reduction in wind tonight.

"It'll get down to a 9kph wind speed. That's going to be in our favour, but we do have strike teams in place in case it flares up again.

"Our plan is to set up another containment line on the eastern side to protect houses."

The bushfire warning level was downgraded at 8:55pm and residents who had evacuated were advised it was safe to return but they should be ready to leave the area again because the situation could get worse quickly.

Firefighters emerge from the bush at the Peregian Springs incident control area. ( ABC News: Tara Cassidy )

About 100 firefighters and five waterbombers were working on the blaze, as well as a bulldozer which was putting in fire breaks.

QFES Inspector Mark Long said it was a very volatile situation, which led to the evacuation of about 60 houses on the south of Lake Weyba.

"The fire's running across the back of some houses," he said.

Authorities warned the fire could impact Grays Road, Nyell Road and Doonan Bridge Road North.

Firefighters will be conducting backburning near Lakewood Drive, west to the Sunshine Motorway.

Authorities evacuated about 60 homes south of Lake Weyba. ( Supplied: Colin Lindsay )

The bushfire is the third to threaten Peregian Springs in just over three months.

The first blaze in September destroyed one home.

Leanne Thomas, her husband Jason and their son Ky, 14, are unable to go home to Peregian Springs for the second time in months.

Ms Thomas and her family fled for the second time in months. ( ABC News: Owen Jacques )

They fled at about 2:00pm after seeing the huge blaze in nearby bushland.

"We saw the smoke down the highway [and] we immediately went to 'let's-evacuate stage'," Ms Thomas said.

"Basically all our stuff is still packed from last time."

Blackened firefighters walk through the incident control centre at Peregian Springs. ( ABC News: Tara Cassidy )

Matthew Popplewell's property in Weyba Downs has also been evacuated, forcing him to find somewhere for his family to stay.

"The smoke was scary enough for us to say 'hey [we've] got to get out of here'," he said.

"We live on acreage with all bush around us so obviously for us it is a little bit nervy.

"But we have been here before not that long ago, so it is becoming normal at the moment.'

A big plume of smoke seen towering above a house in Peregian Springs. ( Supplied: Colin Lindsay )

Authorities also issued a "stay informed" alert for a separate bushfire at nearby Noosa Heads.

An evacuation centre has been set up at the Coolum Civic Centre.

Firefighters gather at the incident control area for the Peregian Springs fire. ( ABC News: Tara Cassidy )

Woman flees bushfire on horseback

The fires are two of about 70 blazes raging across the state, including the Mount Maria and Lowmead bushfire in southern Queensland.

So far that blaze is believed to have destroyed at least three homes.

Ms Spedding's home on Tableland Road at Mount Maria was destroyed on Monday. ( Supplied: Sharon Spedding )

A "prepare to leave" warning for the blaze, which has been burning for days, was issued at 8:35pm. At 11:30pm, the fire was burning on multiple fronts in a westerly direction from John Clifford Way.

One fire front was heading towards Turner Road and Clarkes Road in Lowmead, while another fire was threatening Old Kornenan Road.

Sharon Spedding escaped the Mount Maria bushfire on horseback on Monday after it suddenly approached her home.

She had been watching the fire and looking for updates but had little warning before it hit.

Ms Spedding is comforted by her mother after the blaze. ( ABC News: Megan Hughes )

"I had to run my horse out and everything went up," she said.

"As I watched my house go up in flames I got a message saying there's a fire in my area and to 'watch and act'.

"I'm watching it burn and then I get a message?

A burnt-out car on Ms Spedding's property. ( Supplied: Sharon Spedding )

"It's heartbreaking."

Ms Spedding's car and house on Tableland Road were destroyed by the fire.

She only got out with the clothes on her back and is now staying with family and friends nearby.

Embers were still smouldering for some time after the fire tore through on Monday. ( Supplied: Sharon Spedding )

"I have to rely on everyone in the community, I have to rely on my family and friends, I have to go to Vinnies to get clothes," she said.

Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett confirmed three structures were likely to have been lost in the fire.

He said affected residents would be supported through the Department of Communities the council.