UPDATE 2.30pm:

THREE Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews are working to contain a waste fire involving timber and mulch at a commercial property on Old Foulden Rd, just off the Glenella Connection Road.

The fire, which is close to cane and overhead powerlines, started about 12:30pm.

Ergon Energy crews are also on site to keep the flames away from the powerlines.

Crews are working to dowse the mulch with water to prevent the fire spreading and are using an excavator to pull the piles of waste apart, a QFES spokesman said.

INITIAL: AT LEAST two QFES crews are fighting a vegetation fire on the northern side of the Pioneer River at Foulden.

The fire broke out about 12.30pm Wednesday on Old Foulden Road, just off the Glenella Connection Road.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from the city as the fire was fanned by winds of about 17km/h from the south-southeast.

Mackay and the surrounding region face a high risk of fires according to the Bureau of Meteorology's most recent rating, issued this week.

More to come