TAFE evacuated due to Sunshine Coast bushfire August 15, 2013 - 5:11PM About 1000 people have been evacuated from a Sunshine Coast TAFE campus as firefighters continue to battle a seven hectare blaze at Mountain Creek. The bushfire broke out near Lady Musgrave Drive about 11.30am on Thursday, prompting authorities to evacuate the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE Mooloolaba campus due to thick smoke in the area. Queensland Fire and Rescue Services said the evacuation was a precautionary measure and no structures were directly under threat. Police also closed the Sunshine Motorway in both directions soon after the blaze took hold due to smoke saturation in the area. It reopened just before 4pm. The cause remains unknown but initial QFRS investigations have ruled out a hazard reduction burn as sparking the blaze. QFRS said 37 firefighters from both urban and rural brigades are fighting the blaze, which has not yet been controlled. They are battling the main blaze as well as several spotfires within a seven hectare radius, QFRS said. Residents in the surrounding areas have been advised to close their doors and windows and to keep medications close by if they suffer from respiratory problems. Police have urged drivers in the area to drive to smoky conditions. ""Motorists are asked to follow police direction and drive to conditions, as there is a significant smoke hazard in the area,"" a police spokesman said. Police are door knocking residents on Amarina Avenue, but no properties are currently under threat.