Bulldozers are clearing foliage to create fire breaks around the Beach Rd Holiday homes perimeter on the Noosa North Shore. Photo: Noosa Council

Bulldozers are clearing foliage to create fire breaks around the Beach Rd Holiday homes perimeter on the Noosa North Shore. Photo: Noosa Council

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UPDATE THURSDAY 6AM:

RESIDENTS were able to return home yesterday afternoon after the Noosa North Shore bushfire was contained.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised residents about 3pm that those who had been evacuated could now return to the area.

But residents should keep up-to-date and decide which actions to take if the situation changes.

Crews will continue to monitor the area and all roads are now open.

UPDATE THURSDAY 1.15PM:

FIREFIGHTERS have managed to contain the Noosa North Shore bushfire, but residents are still being told not to return home.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services' "watch and act" warning is still advising residents to "leave now" as the fire continues to pose a threat to Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting.

The fire is contained, but QFES says there has been a number of flare ups and the situation could change quickly.

Residents should not return to the area until authorities advise it's safe to do so.

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Fire crews and heavy machinery are making steady progress to reinforce fire breaks and make the area safe. Authorities say while the work is taking place, it's not safe to return.

Multiple crews are on the frontlines battling a blaze that broke out this morning at Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting. Photos: Patrick Woods Patrick Woods

It comes as an investigation has been launched by police and QFES into a series of fires between Tuesday and Wednesday that occurred in different locations on the Noosa North Shore.

It's believed the fires may have been deliberately lit.

Residents are being urged to follow their bushfire survival plan.

"If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave now if it is clear to do so," QFES said. "If you are not in the area, do not return as conditions are too dangerous."

People in the area will continue to be affected by smoke, which reduce visibility and air quality.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

If you believe you or your property are under threat, call triple-0 immediately.

UPDATE THURSDAY 11.15AM:

RESIDENTS are still not able to return home after being evacuated from Noosa North Shore as crews work to reinforce fire breaks and patrol the area.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has issued a watch and act warning to residents, urging them to leave now.

As of 11am, the bushfire continues to pose a threat to Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting, QFES said. The blaze could have a significant impact on the community.

The fire is currently contained, however authorities fear strong winds could change the situation quickly.

Residents have been advised to not return home until they're told it's safe to do so.

Road closures remain in place.

Detectives were at the scene of the Noosa North Shore fire to determine the cause of the inferno yesterday, with Queensland Police Service Inspector Jon Lewis revealing they were strongly investigating the possibility of arson.

"Based on the fact that there have been three separate fires in the last 24 hours, and at this stage we're unaware of any other possible ignition source, we're absolutely looking at it possibly being deliberately lit," he said.

Fire crews are now working with heavy machinery to reinforce fire breaks and patrol the area. While this work is taking place, it is not safe to return.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

If you believe your property is under threat, call triple-0 immediately.

UPDATE THURSDAY 6.10AM:

NOOSA North Shore residents have still not been allowed to return home as a bushfire continues to burn near the First Cutting.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has downgraded its emergency warning to a "watch and act", urging residents to leave now.

At 6.05am, the fire was burning on Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting. QFES says it could have a significant impact on the community.

The fire is currently contained, but the situation could change quickly and residents are being advised to not return home until authorities say it's safe to do so.

Road closures remain in place.

Detectives were at the scene of the Noosa North Shore fires to determine the cause of the inferno yesterday, with Queensland Police Service Inspector Jon Lewis revealing they were strongly investigating the possibility of arson.

"Based on the fact that there have been three separate fires in the last 24 hours, and at this stage we're unaware of any other possible ignition source, we're absolutely looking at it possibly being deliberately lit," he said.

Fire crews have been conducting patrols and monitoring the area throughout the night.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

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Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said a decision on allowing residents to return would likely be made mid-morning.

"The problem is we are expecting strong wind gusts later this morning up to 40, maybe 50km/h, which is of concern," Cr Wellington said.

He said overnight, another fire broke out at Cooroibah and threatened a home. The blaze was brought under control by QFES crews who are running regular patrols in the area.

"(The) really good news is that there has been no structural damage whatsoever as a result of this fire on Noosa North Shore," Cr Wellington said.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

If you think your home is under threat, call triple-0 immediately.

UPDATE 2PM:

AN "UNPREDICTABLE" fire that forced another evacuation is expected to have a significant impact on the Noosa North Shore community.

Residents have been urged to leave immediately as Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued an emergency warning this afternoon.

At 2pm, the fire was burning on Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting. The blaze may soon impact the Wallaby Track, so residents on Noosa North Shore are advised to leave immediately.

The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community, QFES said.

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People leaving the area should take the Noosa River Ferry to Moorindil St. An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

Multiple fire crews are working with water bombing aircraft to contain the blaze.

"Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," QFES said.

"The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path."

Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said the blaze was not threatening any properties, but residents should stay vigilant and follow the advice from emergency services.

"I think this is a fantastic opportunity for people across the shire to be reminded to have evacuation plans in place and to think carefully about what they might do should they be asked to evacuate," Cr Wellington said.

Inspector John Lewis said crews had been working tirelessly to control the blaze but feared a wind change could put properties to the west at risk this afternoon.

UPDATE MIDDAY:

RESIDENTS are being urged to leave immediately as an "unpredictable" bushfire threatens the Noosa North Shore community.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has issued an emergency warning to North Shore residents, urging them to follow their bushfire survival plan now.

"If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave immediately if it is clear to do so," QFES said.

"If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire.

"If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous."

At 11.40am, the fire was burning on Noosa North Shore near the First Cutting. The fire may soon impact the Wallaby Track, so residents on Noosa North Shore are being urged to leave immediately.

"The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community," QFES said.

People leaving the area should take the Noosa River Ferry to Moorindil St.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

"Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," QFES said.

"The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path."

Fire crews may not be able to protect every property and residents should not expect a firefighter at their door.

Power, water and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.

UPDATE 10.30AM:

NOOSA North Shore residents are being urged to "leave now" as firefighters throw everything at a raging bushfire that broke out near First Cutting this morning.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has advised residents to follow their bushfire survival plan now.

At 10.05am, the bushfire was burning near Beach Rd and the First Cutting. It may soon impact the Wallaby Track, so residents are being urged to leave.

"This fire could have a significant impact on the community," QFES said.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Dr.

Resident Dave Wright said he had gone out in his 4WD to do a "reccy" after seeing the smoke, but had been blocked by police from returning home.

Mr Wright, a

member of the Noosa North Shore Rural Brigade, said his wife, Kym, was still at home and would leave by the river if necessary.

"The dinghies are in the water and primed to go," he said. "It's how we travel every day. We don't be reckless. If there's smoke nearby, she'll go."

Severe fire danger ratings for the #SEQLD Coast, #DarlingDowns and Granite Belt and #WideBay and Burnett districts today. A fire weather warning remains in place for the region: https://t.co/5uWfad3HLH pic.twitter.com/Rhp5vr1m9d — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 12, 2019

Ground crews and water bombing aircraft are working to contain the blaze but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. Residents have been warned to not expect a firefighter at their door.

Mr Wright was one of four homeowners affected by a blaze that quickly engulfed homes in August, 2017.

"The other three homes were razed to the ground while his required an extensive rebuild.

He said any wind from the north or northeast would bear directly down on them, while a westerly would push any fire directly to sea.

"There's two water bombing helicopters and rural and urban brigades are there in numbers," he said.

"Police are taking the (phone) numbers of everyone leaving the north shore.

"It was chaotic with the number of emergency vehicles heading over. They are throwing everything at it."

Multiple crews are on scene battling a new blaze that’s broken out at Noosa North Shore. Photo: ALI KUCHEL

Residents have been advised a separate bushfire warning is no longer in place for the original Cooroibah blaze.

If you believe your property is under threat, call triple-0 immediately.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates.

If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it.

If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes.

Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure.

If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by.

Drive with caution in low visibility conditions.

Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire.

Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave.

Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

EARLIER: AS FIREFIGHTERS prepare for a day of horrific conditions, exhausted crews have been battling small fires across the Coast already this morning.

Early this morning, crews were called to a grassfire which broke out at Eumundi.

The reported 8x8m fire was under control soon after, but sparked fears among residents that the Coast was in for a dangerous day.

Noosa North Shore residents have been advised to stay informed as a new fire burns near the First Cutting.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued an advice warning to residents that this was a separate fire to the Cooroibah blaze that's also affecting Noosa North Shore.

Residents are being urged to keep up-to-date and decide which actions to take if the situation changes.

As of 9.05am, the fire was burning near Beach Rd and the First Cutting.

Multiple firefighting crews and water bombing helicopters are on scene working to contain the fire.

Properties are not under threat at this time.

"We're getting a lot of trucks up there right now," Acting Rural Fire Services area director Andrew Allan said.

The wave includes two of five crews that flew in from New Zealand to help exhausted Sunshine Coast fire fighters. The other three are heading further north to Gympie.

Noosa North Shore Brigade first officer Mike Hancock said his biggest fear was a fire getting out of control and burning south to the river where his and many other brigade members lived.

Mr Hancock's home and two others were lost in 2017 when a spark fanned by strong winds created an afternoon of destruction.

Mr Allan said he expected both Noosa River ferries would be swung into service to get trucks and crews to the scene as quickly as possible.

Residents have also been warned this morning to stay alert as the Cooroibah blaze is still burning.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

The fire which broke out at Meridan Plains yesterday afternoon, forcing the closure of Kawana Way Link Rd, is now fully contained.

Crews are monitoring the area and will continue to conduct patrols throughout the day.

Hot, gusty northwest winds blowing at 25-40km/h this morning were making conditions tough for firefighters.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Vince Rowlands said an expected wind change to the southeast later today would come after winds first shifted westerly, a scenario that increase the threat to Noosa's lower north shore residents.

We’re responding to more than 50 fires across the state & there's around 170 crews on the ground, working to keep Queenslanders safe. Community support goes a long way to help our firefighters, who have been doing a fantastic job under trying conditions. pic.twitter.com/p2zuzUC6uq — Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 12, 2019

The BOM has issued a severe fire warning for the south east, Wide Bay and Darling Downs.

It said hot, dry and gusty north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front moving across southern Queensland would push further eastwards, with dry and gusty west to south-westerly winds following the passage of the front.

"This will result in severe fire dangers in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, southeast coast and Wide Bay and Burnett districts today," the BOM said.

"Locally, extreme fire dangers are also possible in the far eastern Darling Downs and in the western Lockyer Valley."