Thousands of people have been instructed to evacuate, with more expected to follow suit, as deadly bushfires rip through Queensland's western Darling Downs region.
It comes as one body was been discovered in the aftermath of the blaze in the state's Tara region.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said the discovery was concerning.
"We don't know the circumstances surrounding that at the moment, but it's quite a tragic incident for us to have on the fireground. That will be further investigated today to determine the real cause," he said.
At least five homes have been destroyed.
Warnings for residents to "leave immediately" have been issued as the bushfires continue to rage out of control in Tara, Wieambilla, Kogan, Goranba, Weranga, and Milmerran Woods.
Authorities have warned residents that it will soon become too dangerous to attempt to leave, and they are risking their lives by staying.
Lenny Savva, a Tara resident, told 9News he discovered his home engulfed by an inferno.
"I reached my place, and it was ablaze," he said.
"The flames were seven metres high, coming out of my bedroom window... I realised right then and there that I was homeless."
'Created its own weather system’
QFES said the fire exceeded their expectations, doubling in size and generating its own weather system.
Waltisbuhl said conditions were perilous, particularly around Tara, where at least 173 people spent the night at a council-run evacuation centre.
"More properties will be lost," he warned.
"The flames were up into the canopy of those areas so we're looking at 10- to 15-metre flames in that whole area – that's a very dangerous place to be in."
The fire tornado crossed 6km of scrubland in just 15 minutes. Source: Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA/Facebook (Source: Supplied)
More than 400 firefighters and volunteers have been actively engaged across Queensland, with more than 100 bushfires reported as of this afternoon.
QFES state coordinator Tony Johnstone said crews had worked tirelessly through the night to divert flames away from properties, but fire hazards persisted for residents.
"Don't go into areas that you don't need to,” he said.
Meanwhile, total fire bans have also been enforced in large parts of New South Wales and Western Australia, where conditions are expected to worsen as the week progresses.
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