Hundreds of homes have been threatened in Far North Queensland, and police are searching for those responsible for deliberately lighting a series of fires.
More than 100 firefighters were called to Chewko, near Mareeba, yesterday afternoon after 12 fires were lit along a road.
Hundreds of hectares of land were burnt, including several mango and sugar cane crops.
Rural Fire Service Queensland area director Neil Parker said the fires were all lit within an hour, and containment efforts were continuing.
It was 100 firefighters and landholders that were out there, Inspector Parker said.
There were about 25 structures under threat, but we didn't lose any.
If you have any information, contact Crime Stoppers. We have a lot of fire investigators out there with the police and we are looking for any information. An emergency declaration was issued under the Public Safety Preservation Act at about 6 pm, which was later revoked.
The fire spread near the grounds at Lotus Glen Prison, with correctional staff and fire crews forced to fight off the flames.
Crews are still patrolling containment lines, with help from a helicopter conducting water bombing.
Sugarcane farmer Claude Santucci lost eight hectares of cane in the blaze and fought the flames alongside firefighters and neighbours.
"I'm cranky and disappointed that there are individuals out there who carry on with this sort of activity for whatever reason," Santucci said.
It's really disappointing that we have members of society today that carry on like this and put people's lives, property and livelihood at risk without giving it a second thought.
James Howe, a Banana farmer who lives on Chewko Road, said they were able to contain the fire in time.
Mr Howe said that we had been doing all our back-burning with the necessary permits and I hadn't taken all the gear off the ute.
I was lucky that we had everything ready to go when I saw the smoke, we were able to catch it in time. The Queensland Police Service says it is investigating the cause of the blaze.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.