New South Wales firefighters have arrived in Queensland, which is braced for extreme and possibly catastrophic fire conditions.
One home has been lost to a fast-moving grassfire near Mareeba in far north Queensland.
In the state's south, concern is centred on an erratic bushfire that's destroyed hundreds of hectares of bushland since Tuesday, and is spotting up to 1.5km ahead of the fire front.
Evacuations have not been ordered but some residents with homes near the large Sarabah blaze, in the Scenic Rim area inland from the Gold Coast, have decided to leave.
About 20 people have gone to a camp ground in nearby Canungra with that blaze expected to jump containment lines on Friday.
Some of the 50 NSW fire fighters who've arrived to help have been sent to battle that fire.
Scenic Rim mayor Greg Christensen says authorities are doing all they can as the temperature climbs and winds pick up.
"There's a wide set of resources on the ground. I would ask people to stay off the roads, there is a lot of smoke around," Cr Christensen told AAP on Friday.
"There are some people who've relocated themselves early because they didn't want to be in the risk zone."
Rural Fire Service spokesman Alan Gillespie warned some properties near the Sarabah fire could not be defended due to lack of clearing around the homes.
"We cannot hold firefighters accountable for what people haven't done to prepare their own properties," he told ABC radio.
A grassfire near Mareeba claimed one home on Thursday.
"The house was very close to where the fire started. It moved very quickly and before crews got there the house was lost," a fire service spokesman told AAP. "The family is safe."
About 30 firefighting aircraft are on standby in at-risk areas, with conditions expected to escalate on Friday afternoon.
Southern Downs mayor Tracy Dobbie says her area, west of the Gold Coast, is bone dry and fears what could happen if fire takes hold here.
"It is very hot now, and very windy," she told AAP.
She said rural properties would not fare well if fire took hold, with dams and water tanks empty.
"Most rural residents don't have any water in their dams to fight a fire. We are saying to them really reassess your fire plan and be prepared to leave if there is a fire."
Water laden tankers are in place, and the bellies of fire fighting aircraft are full to respond to any outbreak.
"There is a total fire ban. Please don't use any equipment outside that could spark a fire," the mayor urged.
It's possible the fire danger could escalate to the highest catastrophic rating later on Friday in parts of southern Queensland.
Currently the Maranoa and Warrego and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts are facing extreme fire danger.
Winds up to 95 km/h are expected in the southwest in areas including Goondiwindi, St George, Hebel, Bollon, Mungindi and Dirranbandi.
Severe fire danger warnings are in place for the Central Highlands and Coalfields district, Wide Bay and Burnett, and the southeast coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a trifecta of strong gusty winds, temperatures in the mid-30s and very low humidity is creating very dangerous conditions.
Cooler conditions are forecast in coming days but the bureau warns the fire danger will remain high until the middle of next week.
