Fraser Island closed to new arrivals as bushfire threat grows

New visitors will be banned from Fraser Island as firefighters struggle to contain a bushfire that’s nearing a popular resort.

Fraser Island will be closed from 5pm this afternoon to new arrivals as ongoing bushfires continue to “break through” multiple containment lines.

The announcement comes as severe heatwave conditions are set to lash much of the Queensland, delivering hot, windy conditions in some areas.

QFES commissioner Greg Leach blamed the “limitation of access” to the island on the weather forecast, as well as continued “limited success” in holding the front of the fire

Smoke from fires burning on Fraser Island.

Because of the weather conditions we’re expecting … hotter, dryer winds that will carry the fire in southerly direction” ‘

“We’ve made this decision to limit further access to visitors to the island.”

Mr Leach stopped short of seeking a total evacuation, asking those on the island to remain vigilant about their surroundings.

“People are free to leave the island if they want to – we’re not recommending that at this point,” he said.

“We just ask people to remain vigilant, try to stay towards the nominated campsites.”

There are concerns for the popular Kingfisher Bay Resort that sits on the southwestern side of the island, with a large fire about 7km north.

Fires continue to burn on Fraser Island, with a looming heatwave set to make conditions worse for firefighters.

“People in Kingfisher Bay Resort have a significant fire to the north of them . we’re watching carefully and have potential spread of that fire,” he said.

“If there’s any risk to the resort, we’ll make sure to get that timely information into the resort owners and operators.”

The closure comes as multiple fire bans have been put in place across multiple areas of the south east, including the Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions.