[2][3] On 23 October 2023, emergency warnings were issued for multiple bushfires burning in the Western Downs region, with calls to residents to evacuate the towns of Tara, Kogan and surrounding areas, with evacuation areas set up at the Western Downs Regional Council centre.
About 280 people were sheltering at evacuation centres in Dalby and Chinchilla, as well as reported looting in the region.
[7] On 28 October, at 1 am on Saturday, QFES issued multiple emergency warnings for immediate evacuation of the towns of Tara, Wieambilla, and The Gums.
[9] On 31 October, emergency warnings to evacuate were issued for residents in the town of Wallangarra, as a new fire broke out in the Southern Downs.
[10] Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, visited fire-affected residents sheltering in refuge centres in Dalby, and paid tribute to firefighters and communities stating; 'I want to thank once again all of those involved in helping our communities including interstate and New Zealand fire crews giving our own firefighters a much-needed break.