Thunderstorms hit south-east Queensland as bushfires burn out of control

On the same day bushfires are burning out of control in the state, severe thunderstorms have hit south-east Queensland.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said on Tuesday afternoon the storm cells are moving through the region, bringing heavy rain and hailstones.

The Bureau said golf ball-sized hail had been seen at Mt Gravatt, while large stones have also been sighted at Highfields and Kingsthorpe.

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More than 70mm of rain was recorded in a single hour at the Brisbane suburb of Rosalie, while 63mm hit the city centre, leading to warnings of flash flooding.

Meanwhile, thousands of hectares have been burnt and numerous properties were lost as bushfires burnt out of control in the Western Downs region.

As of Tuesday afternoon, communities in Kowguran, Myall Park and Hookswood are still being told to evacuate by fire authorities.

Residents can keep up to date with the latest warnings on the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website.

Fire warnings in Fairyland and Burra Burri have been changed to watch and act, with residents being told to prepare to leave.

The communities of Montrose and Wieambilla have been told to monitor conditions.

An image posted online by Weatherzone shows the billowing smoke from the blazes, snapped from more than 35,000km above the Earth's surface.

More than a dozen properties have been lost in nearby parts of the south-west.

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Two sheds have been destroyed as well as farming equipment.

Authorities predicted more properties could be impacted today.

Crews spent their second night on the fireground and at another major bushfire about an hour away near Tara.

Structures destroyed

Twisted sheets of metal and burnt-out cars are all that remain of several Montrose properties.

Seventeen structures are confirmed to have been destroyed in the remote area of Dalby.

The toll is expected to climb as crews are still unable to properly assess the 850 hectares of scorched earth.

"The fire is not contained, we still have quite active fire and quite active fire weather," David Hermann from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said.

Resident Janet Yates was powerless to stop the inferno that suddenly appeared at her doorstep.

"Smoke and fire instantly, no warning... our place was on fire," Yates said.

She was one of more than 40 locals who evacuated to the Tara Bowls Club, with each resident clutching what little possessions they could.

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"Got out with our clothes we had on, the dogs and that was it," Yates said.

"Two cars, motorbikes, everything is gone as far as we know."

Active fires, downed powerlines and burning trees have all prevented residents from returning home.

But of most concern to the community is the fire's cause, which officially remains unknown.

Authorities are investigating whether a firebug could be responsible.

"We've had quite a large number of fires in the locality over a number of weeks and we'll look at all aspects of what that means," Hermann said.

Queensland Police Service Inspector Wayne Rasmussen said police will investigate if the evidence points to arson.

The blaze is among more than 50 that broke out across the state during Sunday's heatwave.

An already exhausted contingent of urban and rural fire crews are everything they have at the emergency but they're stretched thin at a time they didn't expect.

"That's very unseasonal, and because it's very unseasonal it can lead to very erratic fire behaviour," Hermann said.

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