She said on Tuesday that Australia needed more shared assets so states and territories could deal with simultaneous bushfire emergencies like those current situations in Queensland and NSW. "We need more national resources. If we have to go it alone, we'll go it alone," Ms Palaszczuk said. The firefront at the town of Jimna in Queensland's Somerset Region, directly west of the Sunshine Coast. Credit: Facebook - QFES Wind gusts up to 40km/h were expected to fan the flames on Wednesday, coupled with intense heat in the mid-to-late 30s that has been forecast near the state's worst fire zones. The central Queensland city of Rockhampton was forecast to hit 38 degrees, Noosa was set to reach 35, Boonah was expecting 35. Elsewhere, Brisbane was predicted to hit 33 degrees on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Victoria Dodds said Wednesday would bring "quite challenging conditions" for firefighters and there was no significant rain on the horizon. "We've also got severe fire dangers in southern parts of the state ... particularly the Darling Downs, the Granite Belt, as well as the south-east coast," she said. "We've got really hot, really dry, and really windy conditions ahead of this cold front. "In some places, daytime temperatures are going to be 6 to 8 [degrees] above average.

"As this frontal system moves in ... and as it moves into south-eastern parts through tomorrow [Wednesday] we're going to see these elevated fire dangers move into not just the south-east coast, but also the Wide Bay Burnett area. "Also quite a complicated wind change through tomorrow [Wednesday], and that's going to result in quite challenging conditions for our firefighters across these active fire grounds. "The complication is ... the change in wind direction [overnight tonight and tomorrow]. It will hamper efforts on the ground. We won't see a significant change in temperatures." Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Michael Wassing said he was happy with the preparation carried out on Tuesday, including strengthening containment lines.

"In saying that, with the severe conditions in the south-east and this afternoon, into tonight and tomorrow [Wednesday] ... those containment lines in central Queensland will be tested," he said. "In saying that, we've got resources ready for any new outbreaks. I'm comfortable with where we are. "This is a long haul and this is a marathon for us with sprints in between. "The larger fires for us, that still remain in the south-east part of the Scenic Rim, some have been burning since September. "They are in a very difficult and inaccessible area where we can contain them and manage them, but until we get significant rainfall, these fires will remain."

However, earlier in the day, QFES assistant commissioner Tony Johnstone said the simultaneous fire emergencies had increased competition for shared national resources. Assistant Commissioner Johnstone said fatigue management for local crews was also an issue and shifts had been shortened. "We're having a problem with resources. We need to admit that," he told ABC Radio Brisbane. Parts of south-east Queensland have had a mild reprieve from the dangerous smoke haze caused by the bushfire crisis, but authorities warn the situation will worsen in the next few days.

Loading A public health warning was issued on Monday as air quality had plummeted in parts of the state. Brisbane's skyline was shrouded in smoke from bushfires in northern NSW and south-east Queensland and the haze blanket was expected to hang around until at least midweek. In total, 12 Queensland homes have been destroyed. Eleven homes were lost at Cobraball, near the central Queensland town of Yeppoon, at the weekend when two fires merged into one. Another home was also lost at Cooroibah, on the Sunshine Coast.

Another eight homes have fire damage: five at Cobraball and three to a fire still burning at Lower Beechmont in the Gold Coast hinterland. The most serious warnings on Tuesday morning were 'prepare to leave' notices, there were no immediate evacuation warnings current. - with AAP