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Almost half of Fraser Island burnt despite 1 million litres of water, retardant
Almost 1 million litres of water and fire-retardant gel have been dropped by water-bombers onto Fraser Island in the past few days, but flames continue to threaten residents and holiday-makers.
More than 75 firefighters and 30 fire trucks were supported by 21 aircraft on Tuesday, alongside Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation personnel.
An image shared by QFES on Monday showing the scene on Fraser Island as the bushfire continued to burn. Credit: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan told State Parliament on Tuesday more than 80,000 hectares had been burnt on the island to date.
According to its UNESCO World Heritage List description, Fraser Island is 181,851 hectares in size, meaning almost half has been scorched by the current bushfire.
The bushfire was travelling from south Boon Boon Creek, in the middle of the island on the western side, towards the Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, about four kilometres to the south-west.
The fire, believed to have been ignited by an illegal campfire, has been burning on the island since the beginning of October.
The Kingfisher Bay Resort closed its doors to all guests for two weeks from Monday, November 30, to Monday, December 14.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued a prepare-to-leave warning to Fraser Island on Tuesday and previously warned that the makeup of the sand island made firefighters' work difficult.
"You need to be ready to follow your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly.
"Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door."
QFES also extended a local fire ban to include the state's south-east on Tuesday and extended it until 11.59pm on Monday, December 7.
It means residents in Logan, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Gold Coast cannot light any open fires and all fire permits previously issued have been automatically cancelled.
Meteorologist Rosa Hoff said on Monday there was very little rain expected in the state's south-east, but there was a chance of rain on Thursday and potentially severe storms.
"A southerly change pushing up the coast on Wednesday will make winds more erratic and difficult to predict, making fire conditions more dangerous on the island in the days ahead," she said.
"Thankfully the island has been spared the worst of the heatwave conditions, with temperatures a fairly moderate low 30s and [the island] very well insulated by the ocean around it."
An aerial view of the Fraser Island fires on Friday, November 27.Credit: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Mr Ryan said QFES personnel joined QPWS in fighting the fire on the island on November 27.
"The Large Air Tanker has been deployed to the island and has conducted two further drops yesterday to further strengthen containment lines," he said.
"Almost 1 million litres of water and [fire-retardant] gel have been dropped on Fraser Island in the last few days alone.
"More drops are occurring across the affected area today and until the fire is put out.
"Fraser Island is about one of 30 bushfires burning across the state, but the Fraser Island fire is the biggest and probably the most challenging environment as well."
Water-bombing efforts against the Fraser Island bushfire on Friday, November 27.Credit: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the QPWS' top priority remained the preservation of life and property, as well as protecting the World Heritage-listed island.
"K'gari has been allocated with $400,000 for road and track maintenance, including maintenance on fire loads, and we've had four planned burns conducted this fire season," she said on Tuesday.