Fraser Island fire reveals flaws in agency response

A review into the devastating 2020 Fraser Island bushfire has exposed the flaws in the response to the blaze, including that a push to use water-bombing aircraft was rejected.

AN EMERGENCY request to use water-bombing aircraft three days after a fire ignited on Fraser Island was rejected by Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers who ruled it was not a serious threat.

A bombshell review into the devastating Fraser Island bushfire has exposed the flaws in the response to the blaze, which scorched more than half the island last year.

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.

In a damning finding, the Inspector-General Emergency Management’s review revealed a push to draft aerial support to fight the blaze just three days after it started was rejected.

NSW Rural Fire Service planes were used during part of the fight against the fire. Picture QFES Facebook page

The review found Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Parks and Wildlife had initial discussions about the use of waterbombing aircraft on October 17, however, the proposal was declined by QPWS due to “no threat to life and property” and a lack of advice about the ability to extinguish the fire.

Waterbombing operations would not begin until November 9 - day 27 of the firefighting effort.

Gel and fire suppression foam was also 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 Inspector-General‘s report has recommended improved communication and a review of firelines, tracks and trails on the island be undertaken.

The burnt aftermath of the bush fire on world heritage listed Fraser Island. Pic Lyndon Mechielsen

It raised concern about the evacuation of residents from townships that, although were small-scale, required “significant last-minute planning and actions to ensure safety”.

The review found flaws in situational reporting by QPWS, which did not follow a standard structure or process.

Some fire movement updates were lodged in the QPWS FLAME system while others were recorded on emails.

The review praised the commitment and ability of QPWS staff dealing with a high workload and critical issues, however noted “the lack of structured, relevant and timely information”.

QFES has been urged to expand its specialist Remote Area Firefighting Team capability “to assist in responding to significant bushfire events which occur in rugged or inaccessible terrain.”

Stakeholders told investigators there had been a “significant decrease in the number of

fire breaks and trails on the island and a lack of maintenance“ along with reduced hazard-reduction burns and the inability for residents to gain approvals to undertake clearing.

Fraser Island‘s traditional owners, the Butchulla people, called for future fire management plans to incorporate traditional burning methods.

Fraser Island fire picture from ABC Brisbane Facebook, by Angie Knight Picture Facebook

Residents reported challenges with phone reception being intermittent across the Island, “raising concerns for residents and visitors’ capacity to report incidents”.

The government response states all 38 of the report’s recommendations were supported or supported in principle.

QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said work was already underway with partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure recommendations were progressed.

“We are always looking at ways to improve and are working to align action items from the report with work already underway,” he said.

“QFES has seen significant improvements through all phases of bushfire including how we prevent, prepare, respond and recover, and a lot of the recommendations made in this report will build upon learnings and continuous improvement items we conduct year on year.“

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said it was important to evaluate the response.

“The bushfires last year posed particular challenges given the nature of the terrain and the fact it was on a large sand island with mobile phone and internet blackspots,“ he said.

“The fire covered nearly 85,000 hectares – just over half the island – and 30 different water-bombing aircraft dropped more than 13 million litres of water on the fire.

“Thankfully, there was no loss of human life, and while there was no significant structural damage, there was an impact to the world heritage-listed island’s natural habitat and disruption to the local community, the Butchulla people and the tourists and holidaymakers who visit the island.“