Three men fined $5000 after illegal campfire sparks major Teewah Beach blaze

A weekend camping trip has turned into a $5000 nightmare for three men whose banned fires torched seven hectares of protected coastline.

Three Sunshine Coast men have been slugged with more than $5000 in fines after their illegal fires sparked a blaze which torched about 7ha of the popular Teewah Beach tourist spot. Picture: Facebook

Three Sunshine Coast men have been slugged with more than $5000 in fines after their illegal fires sparked a blaze which torched about 7ha of the popular Teewah Beach tourist spot.

A state Department of Environment media release on Wednesday said the men were handed eight fines in total for unlawfully lighting fires, leaving fires unattended, and using plants from a recreation area to light a fire.

The fires sparked a massive emergency response on Sunday October 26, 2025, at the Great Sandy National Park, with campers evacuated, and rangers, rural fireys, and waterbombing planes and helicopters brought in to try and contain the blaze.

A state Department of Environment media release on Wednesday said the men were handed eight fines in total for unlawfully lighting fires, leaving fires unattended, and using plants from a recreation area to light a fire.

Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield said in the release the Cooloola recreation area was under a permanent fire prohibition for safety and environmental reasons.

“The permanent fire prohibition was introduced in 2020 to help prevent incidents like this,” Ms Mansfield said.

The fires sparked a massive emergency response on Sunday October 26, 2025, at the Great Sandy National Park, with campers evacuated, and rangers, rural fireys, and waterbombing planes and helicopters brought in to try and contain the blaze.

“Our number one priority is the safety of rangers and visitors to our protected areas, and we also want to protect the natural and cultural values of the Cooloola Recreation area.

“Campfires are not compatible with Teewah’s coastal environment, because they can quickly escape into the dunes and bushland.

“We thank those visitors who respect other campers and the natural and cultural values by not lighting campfires at Teewah.”

Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield said in the release the Cooloola recreation area is under a permanent fire prohibition for safety and environmental reasons.

Originally published as Three men fined $5000 after illegal campfire sparks major Teewah Beach blaze