Queenslanders have been urged to remain vigilant as “exceptional” conditions continue to persist and more than 100 bushfires burn across the state.
As most of Queensland suffers under a persistent heatwave and more than 100 bushfires, a developing cyclone has been forecast to approach the embattled state.
There is a high chance a low pressure system off the northeastern coast will develop into a tropical cyclone, to be named Cyclone Owen, adding to a growing list of weather events affecting people in Queensland.
Authorities say it will be days before severe conditions ease across the state, with a forecast of dry lightning increasing the chance of more bushfires which have claimed one life.
“This exceptional heat and fire event just keeps continuing,” Bureau of Meteorology expert Bruce Gunn said on Saturday afternoon.
“Tomorrow another day of vigilance is required.”
No significant rain is on the horizon until Tuesday, especially in central Queensland.
An increased fire danger has been predicted for the southeastern quarter of the state due to increased wind conditions, heat and “ready dry fuel”, he said.
He was joined by Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who urged people to be vigilant.
“This is about everyone listening to the authorities, making sure that everyone is prepared,” she said.
The warnings come after a Central Queensland man died while clearing a firebreak on his family’s property south of Emerald.
The man, 21, appeared to have been trying to cut down a tree with a chainsaw when it fell and trapped him on Friday night.
Three other men on the site tried to rescue the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Palaszczuk has extended her sympathies to the man’s family, saying the tragedy highlights the serious danger the bushfires present.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who was earlier visiting Miriam Vale near Gladstone, described the bushfire situation as “very very trying times”.
“We stand ready as a Commonwealth to do whatever we can to enact any measures that we need to to help in these efforts.
“They are the worst of times, but we are seeing the very, very best of people.”
After almost a week of severe fire danger, QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll says the difficult and challenging conditions will persist.
“We are not out of the woods,” she said.
“We’ve got a heatwave still with us for the next four days. We’ve got thunderstorms that interfere with how the fire spreads … We have never seen this in our state before.”
Fire bans have been extended in parts of the North Coast, central Queensland and South East.
