AN OUTBURST of 000 calls from frightened Maryvale residents has prompted a special education effort by rural fire fighters, but more help is needed.

The sinister image of smoke emerging from a vegetation fire in the Maryvale valley has caused alarm among some residents, who were concerned about their safety and their homes.

Mounting worries on the third day of the bush fire prompted calls for fire fighters to perform a lesser-known role of community education.

Volunteers are door knocking around the small Southern Downs township in an effort to reassure residents the fire is safe, despite its threatening look.

Southern Downs area coordinator Martin Shepherd said the role of Volunteer Community Educators was crucial at moments like this.

"Our goal is to keep the community updated and informed because there have been a lot of calls to triple zero," he said.

"The fire is actually quite safe, it is a nice cool burn but it is just producing a lot of smoke which is causing some concern."

The fire, which began as a permitted burn, was first spotted coming over the ridge on Thursday night.

It has turned into a cool smoke fire that is moving slowly through the valley.

Fire fighters have reinforced fire breaks around the Maryvale valley and will be putting another fire break in closer to the township.

But with a shortage of Volunteer Community Educators, getting the word out to all the residents has been a challenge.

"We really want people to put their hand up to do this sort of work," Mr Shepherd said.

"The work they do is to educate people on how to reduce fire risk in the hope that we have fewer fires in the future."

Volunteer Community Educators also keep the community informed when fires and operations are taking place.

Mr Shepherd said you didn't need to be a firefighter to perform the Volunteer Community Educator role.

"People think fighting fires is all about putting the wet stuff on the red stuff but VCEs perform a proactive role."

Mr Shepherd said there was a big need for more members of the community to put their hand up to perform an education role.