Residents returning to homes after Qld bushfires threat

Residents earlier threatened by a bushfire on Queensland's Sunshine Coast have been told they can now return their homes with caution.

Those living on Mawsons Road were told to leave the area and to activate their bushfire survival plans.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Services said on Saturday evening that blaze near Beerwah is now burning in containment lines, and people can return to their homes.

The QFRS has deployed firefighting aircraft to assist ground crews to combat the blaze.

Meanwhile, Queenslanders impacted by a large bushfire burning in the central Deepwater region near Gladstone can access government financial assistance.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said on Saturday hardship grants would provide $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover essential items such as food, clothing and medicine.

“This is a good example of the Australian and Queensland governments working together to provide practical assistance to communities as soon as possible in the critical days after a disaster strikes,” he said.

The cash is being provided through the joint Commonwealth-state funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles said $5000 for each household was also available to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged essential services.

“Our emergency services and officers from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority will continue to work with Gladstone Regional Council to provide further assistance to those in need,” he said.

Multiple firefighting crews controlled the blaze on Friday after it burned through 3600 hectares, destroying a house and multiple sheds while forcing residents to flee.

They returned late on Friday to survey the damage to their properties, with warnings in place for more risk.

High fire danger was forecast over the weekend for areas across the state's inland, including the Central Highlands near Gladstone.

The Deepwater region near Gladstone was likely to have a moderate fire danger heading into next week.

Hot weather was forecast for the southern inland with Charleville, Roma, Goondiwindi and St George expected to cop the worst of the conditions.

By midweek, maximum temperatures rising to 40C were expected for those locations - about 10C above average.

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