Residents of two more Queensland communities have been told to leave immediately ahead of a fast-moving blaze as the state's bushfire crisis rolls on. Thousands of people have been evacuated from communities in central Queensland after catastrophic fire conditions on Wednesday. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Gary McCormack said the main areas of concern were from central Queensland north to Townsville. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged federal help for Queenslanders affected by the fires and begged people to heed evacuation orders. More than 40 schools in central Queensland remained closed on Thursday.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 28, 2018 20:48 UTC