Brian Smith, Regional Manager for the Rural Fire Services Central Region, said experts in fire behaviour had predicted catastrophic conditions would unfold in the area north of Bundaberg on Wednesday afternoon.

"This is something we don't want to overstate, but they're comparing this to the conditions in the Waroona fires in Western Australia, which completely wiped out a town a few years ago, and also to the recent California fires," he told AAP.

He said the unpredictable fires were being fanned by gusty westerly winds, which started blowing at about midday.

Existing fires in the Deepwater region, south of Agnes Water, have already started breaking containment lines.

A new blaze is threatening properties at Ambrose, south of Rockhampton, and fire crews are trying to contain another blaze at Winfield, south of Baffle Creek.

Residents of Deepwater, Baffle Creek, Rules Beach and Oyster Creek, Eungella and Dalrymple Heights have been ordered to evacuate before fires cut roads.

Authorities have warned those who stay are risking death.

"If you have children with you, you need to think really hard about not losing a house, but losing the people you care most about," Deputy Police Commissioner Bob Gee.

"People will burn to death. Their normal approaches probably won't work if this situation develops the way it is predicted to develop. It is no different to a Category 5 cyclone coming through your door."

"The beach may not be a safe option. Leave now."

There are concerns Hills Road Bridge, which is the only land bridge connecting the area, will be destroyed in the fire, cutting off any chance of escape for locals who remain.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the conditions reminded him of the Ash Wednesday fires in Victoria, which he experienced firsthand as a firefighter.

"I'm sure that some people have probably got very good and elaborate systems of pumps and dams and systems and they believe that 'I'll be OK and I know what I'm doing and I've done this before,'" Mr Crawford said.

"Today is not one of those days. Today is different. We are expecting a firestorm."

The firestorm would likely create "dead man zones" which would be impossible to survive, even in a car.

More than 85 fires are burning across the state, but the Deepwater fire and another at Dalrymple, west of Mackay, are of the most concern.

Interstate crews arrived on Tuesday to help fight the inferno in central Queensland that's destroyed homes and burnt through at least 20,000 hectares of bush and farmland since Saturday.

Eight aircraft, including a massive water-bombing plane, which can dump 15,000 litres at a time, are also fighting the fire.

Crews from South Australia are expected to arrive on Wednesday, with more from around Australia to arrive later this week.

Australian Associated Press