North Qld fire warning downgraded

A large out-of-control bushfire in far north Queensland is no longer threatening homes, but nearby residents are still being warned to avoid smoke inhalation.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said 14 crews were working to contain a blaze at Chewko, south of Mareeba, after it broke out on Wednesday morning.

"There is no threat to homes at this time," the QFES said.

The government agency had issued a far more dire warning just an hour earlier, which urged residents to finalise their bushfire plans and evacuate as soon as possible if they didn't have one.

"Leaving well ahead of a fire is the safest option for survival," the earlier warning read.

However, the latest advice urged residents to shut their windows and doors while crews conduct backburning operations to contain the blaze.

People with respiratory illnesses were also warned to keep medication close by.

Meanwhile, firefighters are also battling a large vegetation fire at Alloway, south of Bundaberg.

Nearby residents were urged to call triple-zero if their property came under threat.