A major bushfire continues to challenge firefighters in Queensland’s Western Downs region as blazes damage dozens of structures in the regional area.

Emergency warnings have been downgraded to watch and act notices for residents to the north of the small town of Miles, about 300km northwest of Brisbane.

An uncontained fire in the area is travelling towards Archinalls Road, Hookswood Pelham Road and Ryalls Road and could pose a threat to lives.

The 26,000-hectare fire is the main concern for authorities, but a QFES spokesman said only two sheds and farming equipment had been destroyed in the blaze.

Several grazing properties are in the area and the fire is burning in drought-affected forest country with a lot of dead trees and “a lot of available fuel”, Queensland Rural Fire Service superintendent Wayne Waltisbuhl said on Tuesday.

The blaze grew from 2300 to 26,000 hectares and firefighters went into “defensive mode” to protect properties before looking at containment strategies with earthmoving equipment, he said.

Warnings have been downgraded for two other fires burning to the south and east of the Miles blaze.

One large fire is burning in Fairyland and Burra Burri, near Jandowae, and travelling from Nudley State Forest towards Moran Creek Road.

A second is affecting parts of Montrose and Wieambilla, near Tara.

Residents who had left the area were advised they could return but to be aware of unstable buildings and hot embers.

The Tara fire is also believed to have impacted at least 20 structures, including homes and sheds.

QFES crews across the state have been called in and aircraft are helping the firefighting effort.

No fatalities or significant injuries have been reported.

The fire danger for the region remains high, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with forecast temperatures of up to 36 degrees on Wednesday.

– AAP