Fraser Coast communities on bushfire watch

Firefighters have downgraded their warning about a slow-moving bushfire on Queensland's Fraser Coast.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services officers spent Sunday afternoon battling the blaze as it travelled from Ansons Road at Dundowran.

It was likely to burn towards Eli Waters, firefighters warned, and residents were told to prepare to enact their bushfire plans and be ready to leave if the situation got out of hand.

But on Sunday evening, crews had strengthened containment lines and conducted backburning operations to control the blaze.

"Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the night to monitor the fire," QFES said in a statement.

Residents would still be affected by smoke which would reduce visibility and air quality, it said.

A separate fire at Alice River, in Townsville, broke out on Sunday afternoon but wasn't posing any threat to property, while the warning for another blaze at Doughboy, west of Bundaberg, was cancelled.