Fraser Island bushfire bearing down on tourist icons
Two of Fraser Island’s biggest tourist destinations remain on high alert as a bushfire scorches nearly half the island’s land mass.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A massive bushfire that has scorched 40 per cent of Fraser Island is bearing down on two of the island’s biggest tourist destinations, as days of abnormal heat and high fire danger loom.
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning that very high fire danger will persist around the Wide Bay region, as firefighters continue battling the Fraser Island bushfire.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday confirmed that one of the fire fronts was continuing to move south towards Kingfisher Bay Resort, while a second fire was making its way east towards Cathedral camping grounds.
Containment lines have already been put in place, but QFES commissioner Greg Leach did admit yesterday they were having “limited success” in holding those lines
The fire, which broke out on October 14 from an illegal campfire, spans more than 72,00ha – around 40 per cent of the 181,851ha national park.
Fire crews and park rangers were on Saturday continuing to fight a difficult uphill battle on Fraser Island, with a large bushfire currently bearing down on two of the island’s biggest tourist destinations.
The advancing fire comes as the island was yesterday closed to new arrivals.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast the island will hit maximums of 30C over the next few days, with the region already sitting on 29.1C just after 11am today.
Strong wind gusts have also been recorded, with east south-easterly gusts around 22km/h blowing in and predictions they will turn into southerly winds this afternoon and tomorrow, pushing the fire further.
The fire is currently 5km north of Kingfisher Bay Resort, with images from the Himawari-8 satellite also showing the strongest flames continuing south.
Hotel management yesterday took to social media to advise current guests to “remain within the resort grounds”.
“Please note that this is not an evacuation of the island, and anyone currently on Fraser Island is able to remain until further notice,” they said in a Facebook post.
“For guests currently staying at the resort, it is advised to remain within the resort grounds, and to not travel onto the inland tracks. Guided tours have also been postponed until further notice. “
The fire is also making another attempt at Cathedral on Frasers, with it sitting 2km east of the beachfront campground.
This comes after the accommodation already survived two close calls with the inferno earlier this month.
Worst-rated Qld aged care home for safety
A private aged care group rapped over the knuckles for a lack of staff, has two out of the three lowest ranked homes in the state for safety, according to its residents. Queensland homes ranked.
‘I ain’t paying’: Threat to owner after elite students trash house
A person claiming to be the host of an out-of-control elite private school student party that wrecked a Brisbane home has taunted the owner via email after he went public.