Community near Toowoomba urged to seek shelter as bushfire approaches

Residents of Forest Ridge at Millmerran near Toowoomba have been urged to seek shelter as a large fire approaches.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services warns the large and dangerous fire is burning in Forest Ridge and Cypress Gardens. It is expected to impact Paddys Creek Road and the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and Paddys Creek Road imminently.

Residents of Cypress Gardens are still being urged to evacuate, but it is now too dangerous for those in Forest Ridge.

An evacuation centre has been opened at Millmerran Community Cultural Centre, 42 Walpole Street, Millmerran.

Firefighters are already battling 50 bush and grassfires across the state, as the south-east endure a week of high temperatures.

Brisbane was forecast for 36C today and will remain around that for the rest of the week.

Ipswich will  swelter as the mercury soars to 38C today and climb to 41C by the weekend. The temperature there will not drop below 35C for at least a week.