Two separate bushfires in Queensland, Australia, scrambled firefighting efforts as they moved toward each other and raised the threat to local residents, possibly prompting many to evacuate the area this week.
Here's what to know
Fast-moving fires near Murphy's Creek and Seventeen Mile were spreading through very dry conditions as crews tried to protect homes and stop the two blazes from joining, 7 News Queensland reported.
At Murphy's Creek, five homes were the main concern. Another fire was burning 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away at Seventeen Mile, where firefighters were watching whether the two incidents would connect and create a more dangerous front.
A Canadian air tanker dispatched from Bundaberg dropped 11,000 liters (2,906 gallons) of firefighting retardant.
Helicopters were also brought in as crews worked to keep the fire from moving closer to homes. About 16,000 hectares (4,000 acres) had already burned, according to the most recent 7 News reporting.
More background
Part of what made the situation especially dangerous was the terrain.
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Queensland Fire Department deputy chief officer Joel Gordon warned, "Very shortly that fire will turn and take a run uphill, when it does that it is likely to accelerate and come quite quickly at those properties," leaving residents with very little time to react if conditions changed.
Dry conditions had also left the southeast, firefighters warned, functioning like a tinderbox.
Although showers and storms were in the forecast, the report said there was "no guarantee of a decent soaking," so any relief could be limited.
The forecast also carried another risk: dry lightning.
If storms brought little rain but plenty of lightning, the report noted, new strikes could ignite even more fires in already severe conditions.
"It's certainly a watch point given that underlying conditions are dry, particularly more for inland areas, and if the storms develop you won't get too much in the way of rainfall from them," BOM senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said, per 7 News.
"Certainly a lightning strike could pose the risk of causing new ignitions as well."
What's being done?
More than 100 people, including 30 crews, were involved in the ground effort. The aerial response worked alongside firefighters near Seventeen Mile and Murphy's Creek to slow the advancing fires.
Crews were trying to keep the two fires from meeting and creating an even more dangerous situation.
Evacuation remained an option if conditions worsened.
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