Southern Queensland fire likely caused by permitted burn getting out of control

A southern Queensland fire which resulted in the evacuation of six households is likely the result of a permitted burn that got out of control, authorities say.

The residents at six rural properties in the Southern Downs are returning to their homes today after to deciding to evacuate overnight while firefighters worked to control a nearby bushfire south-west of Stanthorpe.

Emergency crews are monitoring the fire which continues to burn near Murphy Crossing Road at Nundubbermere, about 230 kilometres south-west of Brisbane.

Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Superintendent Shaun Toohey said the fire was the result of a permitted burn that jumped containment lines several weeks ago.

Mr Toohey said the property owner had been helping crews work to the contain the fire.

"Unfortunately, with the conditions we have down there and fire on the landscape is going to have a couple of weeks to exhaust itself," he said.

"It's an accidental piece that's occurred, but really thankful for the work that property owner has done with our crews over the last fortnight."

Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Melissa Hamilton said while there were no reports of property damage, the drought-affected region was bracing for a difficult bushfire season.

"That is a reminder for people to be incredibly cautious. The window for permitted burns is no doubt closing very fast," she said.

"It is dry and we are completely reliant on weather conditions at the moment with a number of fires around the region."

Residents prepared as fire spread

Nundubbermere resident Cenedra Rogers said she decided not to evacuate after emergency services visited her yesterday.

Ms Rogers said she had experienced fires in the area recently and was prepared to leave if directed by authorities.

She said she watched the situation closely as burnt leaves fell from the sky.

She believes the blaze spread to a neighbouring property.

"We climbed up the hill to have a look and we could see flames leaping into the air from the treetops, which was a bit scary," she said.

"It just came closer and closer and closer until the firies started back-burning and trying to do whatever they could to push it away," Ms Rogers said.

She said the wind changed direction about 3am this morning pushing the fire away from her home.

"I woke up to see more trucks up the street and the fire moving away from us, the winds changed which is really nice."

Ms Rogers said she worked to protect her home, hosing down the structure and the ground.

"Everything is just bone dry. We were just trying to get a little bit of moisture into the air and into the ground where we've got leaf litter and sticks," she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Stanthorpe will reach a top of 23 degrees Celsius on Tuesday following temperatures in excess of 30C in recent days.