Thousands of hectares of protected national parkland have been devastated in a blaze sparked by a campfire.
The massive bushfire broke out on Moreton Island off Queensland on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of 20 campers to the western side of the island on the long weekend.
Emergency crews battled searing temperatures and fierce winds before the bushfire in Moreton National Park was brought under control on Monday.
The bushfire has impacted about 2300ha on the northern side of Moreton Island, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said.
Smoke from the bushfire has been visible from the Sunshine Coast.
It was sparked by a holiday visitor lighting a campfire during a total fire ban. Fire investigators have arrived on the island and have not ruled out changes.
Parts of the national park will remain closed, with popular tracks placed off-limits to visitors.
Conditions eased overnight but authorities remain alert with extreme conditions expected to continue across Queensland. Above-average daytime temperatures are forecast as likely for October to December.
“As we enter the warmer months, the risk of heatwaves and bushfire increases,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“There is an elevated risk of fire in Australia’s southeast.”
A campfire at Eagers Creek on the island’s eastern coast caused the blaze, Rural Fire Service Queensland acting Chief Superintendent Neil Parker said.
“When careless things like this happen, it has a big impact, particularly on our volunteers who go out at all hours of the night to keep our community safe,” he said.
Tangalooma Resort director David James said the resort was “operating as per normal, no evacuations” with no injuries or damage.
About 500 people were on the island, many visiting for school holidays and the long weekend.
