Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Firefighters battling Fraser Island blaze
Firefighters are preparing to defend two townships on Queensland’s Fraser Island as a massive bushfire slowly marches south.
November 15, 2020
Firefighters battling a massive month-old bushfire in a remote area of Queensland’s Fraser Island are preparing to defend two townships.
The fire is burning on multiple fronts 1.2km north of Cathedrals Beach and heading south-southwest, the Department of Environment said on Sunday.
“Rangers are preparing fire lines around the townships of Happy Valley and Cathedrals,” a spokeswoman said.
“Conditions are breezy. It’s forecast to be a hot one. As the temperature rises that will likely ramp up the fire.”
Smoke is visible from mainland communities and towns to the south, such as Rainbow Beach.
Campers are believed to have started the blaze after they lit an illegal cooking fire on October 14 and didn’t extinguish it properly.
The fire has burned bushland from Rooney’s Point in the north to Dundubara Campground in the south – about 40 km of the 120km long island.
Queensland Fire and Emergency crews are assisting Parks and Wildlife rangers on the World Heritage-listed national park sand island.
Planning is also underway to start backburning around Cathedral Beach.
Tourists at Cathedrals campground and Pippies Backpackers have been evacuated to the southern end of the island.