Qld bushfires: what you need to know

Firefighters in Queensland are battling more than 60 blazes on Friday with severe-to-extreme conditions impacting the central, southern and south-east regions.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

* Hundreds of firefighters using more than 150 vehicles are on the ground. NSW has sent 50 firefighters to help out.

* People in Stanthorpe, Applethorpe and Beechmont have been warned it is too dangerous to leave and they must seek shelter to survive.

* An emergency has been declared at Sarabah where a bushfire is raging inland from the Gold Coast.

* A home has been lost to the bushfire between Carunga and Sarabah.

* People were told to seek shelter from another fire - at Beechmont in the Gold Coast hinterland - because it is too dangerous to try and leave

* About 400km northwest of Brisbane, people around Hawkwood should prepare to leave because the very active fire could worsen.

* Further north, a house was destroyed in a very fast grassfire near Mareeba overnight but no one was hurt.

WHAT IS FANNING THE FLAMES?

* Strong gusty winds, temperatures in the low to mid-30s and very low humidity are creating very dangerous conditions.

* A cold front is moving rapidly east across southern Queensland and is expected to reach the coast at around midnight.

* Vigorous westerly winds are expected to develop over the ranges after the cold front passes.

* Damaging winds with peak gusts up to 100 km/h could develop over the eastern slopes and foothills of the ranges from late this evening and into Saturday morning.

* The Maranoa and Warrego and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts are facing extreme fire danger.

* Severe fire danger warnings are in place for the Central Highlands and Coalfields district, Wide Bay and Burnett, and the southeast coast.

* Cooler conditions are forecast in coming days but the weather bureau warns the fire danger will remain high until the middle of next week.