UPDATE: The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is continuing to investigate the cause of a bushfire at Eastern Beach on K’gari, which is contained and self-extinguishing.
The bushfire burned about 280 hectares inland from the Maheno Camp Zone before dissipating as a result of responding crews and favourable conditions.
Closures remain in place for visitor safety, however there is no threat to nearby infrastructure or the wider environment.
Initial investigations into the cause of the fire indicate that inappropriately discarded heat-beads caused an illegal fire starting about 8.30am on Friday.
K’gari senior ranger Linda Behrendorff said the impacts and potential risk of the bushfire were reduced thanks to a quick, collaborative response and good land management through planned burning.
“The QPWS would like to thank the multiple agencies who assisted with this weekend’s bushfire response, including Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, the Queensland Fire Department, the Rural Fire Service, Queensland Police and locals,” she said.
“This collaborative effort, combined with mild weather conditions and recent planned burning helped us to contain the bushfire quickly.
“Campers need to understand that unauthorised campfires on K’gari are illegal for good reason. The conditions of this fire worked in our favour, but containing bushfires on a remote island like K’gari can be extremely challenging so we really need campers to do the right thing to keep themselves and the environment safe.”
In a separate incident, as rangers were checking on nearby campers during the fire response on Saturday, they observed a group of visitors that had allegedly lit another illegal campfire in the same camping area. Rangers have issued a $806 fine to the group as a result.
QPWS and Butchulla staff will continue to monitor the bushfire-impacted area, with additional burning planned for later this week, during favourable weather conditions, to reduce remaining internal fuel loads.
EARLIER: A bushfire on K’gari is suspected to have been caused by an illegal campfire.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was responding to the fire, at Eastern Beach in Great Sandy National Park.
The fire was reported at about 9am on Friday morning, south of the Maheno Camp Zone.
Investigations into the cause of the fire have started, with initial information indicating the fire was caused by an escaped illegal campfire.
There were no immediate threats to visitors or values on the island on Friday afternoon.
QPWS firefighting crews and police were responding to the fire.
Recent planned burn operations in the area were expected to help mitigate the risk of the fire.
Visitors and residents in the area were reminded to obey signage, and follow directions from rangers and emergency services.
The QPSW said smoke could be seen in nearby areas and urged affected people to stay indoors where possible and keep respiratory medication close by.
Campfires are prohibited on K’gari with the exception of two designated sites in Dundubara and Waddy Point campgrounds.
Check the Park Alerts website for the latest park conditions.
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