Fraser Island bombshell: Waterbombing rejected three days after blaze started

A report reveals it was not until day 27 of firefighting efforts that waterbombing was used in the firefighting effort.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services vision of fires burning on Fraser Island Picture Supplied

A report into the bushfires that scorched more than half of Fraser Island last year has revealed initial discussions about the use of waterbombing aircraft began just three days after the blaze started.

However, waterbombing operations did not begin until November 9, day 27 of the firefighting effort.

The Inspector-General Emergency Management Alistair Dawson said one of the IGEM‘s critical, ongoing roles was to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of disaster management arrangements in Queensland.

The Inspector-General‘s report has recommended improved communication and a review of firelines, tracks and trails on the island be undertaken.

Fire on Fraser Island. Bushfire has been burning across the island – Photo supplied Cathedrals on Fraser

A total of 38 recommendations came out of the Inspector-General Emergency Management‘s review report, which has now been tabled in state parliament.

The fire, which started from an illegally lit campfire on October 14, was deemed too difficult to attack due to dry conditions, vegetation, strong winds and inaccessible terrain.

Over two months it would burn 84,000 hectares of the World Heritage Listed-island.

Some of the damage caused by the fire on Fraser Island.

The proposal to use waterbombing, which was made by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on October 17 was declined by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service due to “no threat to life and property” and a lack of advice about the ability to extinguish the fire.

Fraser Island fire photos from ABC Sunshine Coast

QFES advised the review a total of 30 aircraft were later used for the event, dropping more than 13.3 million litres of freshwater, saltwater and gel additives.

Gel and fire suppression foam was initially rejected due to long-term environmental impacts, and the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation did not provide permission for water to be drawn from the island‘s sensitive freshwater lakes until November 17.

The review found opportunities for QFES and QPWS to review their interagency protocols with the Butchulla people to enhance the timely deployment of resources in future events.

Fire on Fraser Island. Bushfire has been burning across the island – Photo supplied Cathedrals on Fraser

“The ongoing challenge for park management remains the need to balance the important cultural and conservation values of the island with the growing interest from visitors,” part of the review read.

“Access and connectivity to the island also presents unique challenges for day-to-day management and firefighting efforts, with sand roads only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, no mains power or town water supply, no connected sewerage, and limited mobile phone and internet connectivity.”

The review found opportunities for QFES and QPWS to review their interagency protocols with the Butchulla people to enhance the timely deployment of resources in future events.