Fire danger red alert
IPSWICH is in for its hottest October day in two years as residents are warned of heightened fire danger tomorrow.
A maximum of 35 degrees is predicted, ending a run of three days with 30 degree-plus temperatures.
Grassfires burned through the Ripley Valley yesterday, sending up a thick plume of smoke that was visible for kilometres.
The smoke forced the closure of Ripley Rd and Fischer Rd.
No homes were under threat as four Queensland Fire and Rescue Service crews back-burned.
Ripley Valley senior firefighter Graham Harris said the fire began before midday.
"We're guarding against a turn in the wind, so we back-burned along the road here. We are just being careful of that," he said.
Nobody had to be evacuated but Fisher road was closed.
The scorching weather will come to an end on Sunday evening, with the arrival of a cool change.
Weatherzone meteorologist Rob Sharpe said Ipswich had already experienced more 30-plus-degree days than the previous two Octobers.
"In the last two years the warmest day in October has been 31.5 degrees. Sunday will make three days in a row warmer than the hottest October day for two years," he said.
"At the moment there is a hot air mass over central and northern Australia, which is getting pushed across by a trough.
"The trough will move into Queensland and keep pushing the hot air until Sunday, then the cold change will arrive."
Humidity will be low over the weekend.
