For weeks the smoke of planned burnings could be seen over Queensland from satellite images. However, now we see the smoke from 92 active bush fires across the state; three of which have a Watch and Act warnings issued. 

The three possibly impactful fires are near Gaeta and Mooney Road around Takilberan Creek, the north of the current Nearum fires and another in Moreton Island. Firefighters are on the scene, but there are still chances for conditions to worsen, so please keep up to date with your local warnings. 

But is it normal to have bushfires like this in late September/early October? 

Spring is the major fire season in Queensland, contrary to popular belief that summer equals bushfires. The Tropic of Capricorn crosses Queensland, making more than half of the state “officially tropical”. Tropical regions transition between dry and wet seasons, rather than the typical four: autumn, winter, spring and summer. Something which is important to consider when it comes to fire weather. 

Fires need dry bush and sufficient winds to grow. Following the tropical dry season and temperatures heating up as the southern hemisphere moves towards summer, the Queensland landscape is in ripe condition for a spark to spread. And with northwest cloudbands becoming more frequent in spring, there is a greater chance of sharp changes in wind and lightning activity possible. Spring is the time when the chances of all these fire weather ingredients coming together are higher for the state. 

In addition, September 2025 was an abnormally dry month for southeast Queensland, with a 10 to 50mm rainfall deficit that month. So, despite planned burns earlier in the year, the bush was drier than average, leading to an increased risk of fires. However, above average rainfall is expected over Queensland’s inner southeast in October, possibly decreasing fire weather risk over the next month or two. 

Image: Rainfall anomalies for September 2025, Bureau of Meteorology 

Image: Forecast rainfall anomaly for October 2025, Bureau of Meteorology 

As we move into summer, more states will be in their active fire season as well. Today, high fire danger ratings were observed in every state of the country; a situation which will becoming increasingly frequent in the coming weeks.  

Image: FDRs over the country on Sunday October 5th , 2025 

Stay safe everyone and make sure to review your personal fire emergency plans.