'Painful' to watch world heritage-listed Fraser Island burn: Premier

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered a full review into the preparedness for, and response to, the bushfire that has razed almost half of the world-heritage-listed K'gari, or Fraser Island.

Authorities have dumped almost 1 million litres of water and fire-retardant gel on the blaze as firefighting efforts escalated in recent days and amid increased threat levels for residents and tourists.

The fire, believed to have been started by an illegal campfire, has been burning on the world's largest sand island since October.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was understandable people wanted to be assured "everything that could be done to protect [K'gari] has and is being done".

"That is why I can confirm the Inspector-General Emergency Management has been instructed to conduct a full review," she told Parliament on Wednesday.

"He will examine all aspects of preparedness and response."

The move comes after calls for an independent inquiry into the fire from business operators, residents, tourists and the LNP Opposition. Party fire and emergency services spokesman Dale Last said the review announced on Wednesday fell "well short of the mark".

Mr Last said there needed to be a "transparent process outside the influence of government", including a probe into delays in the parks service contacting fire authorities, after the involvement of multiple departments.

Ms Palaszczuk described the sand island as "one of the jewels in Queensland's crown".

"K'gari is beloved not just here but all over the world, which makes the sight of it burning so painful," she said.

"Resources devoted to controlling the fire include 75 ... firefighters, 21 aircraft including our large aerial tanker and 30 trucks. This is in addition to national parks and wildlife officers whose planned burns on the island have reached an average of 13,000 hectares a year, which is more than recommended."

The Premier said more than 1 million litres of water and fire retardant had been dumped on the fires but the sandy nature of the soil meant it quickly drained away.

"Heatwave conditions predicted this week will further test our firefighters," she said.

"I want to thank each and every one of them for what they do for us every day and for what they are doing to control the fire on K’gari."

Just before 8 am on Wednesday, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued an alert urging residents and visitors to prepare to leave as the bushfire travelled from Boon Boon Creek south towards the Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, which closed its doors for two weeks amid the fire threat.

Part of the Great Sandy National Park, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service had co-ordinated the bushfire response until Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel joined them on Friday.

Fraser Island is about 350 kilometres north of Brisbane.

On Tuesday, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the park service's top priority remained the preservation of life and property, as well as protecting the World-Heritage-listed island.

Fire authorities also extended a local fire ban to include the state's south-east on Tuesday, which will remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday, December 7.

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