Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones has praised the efforts of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for bringing a large fire on Fraser Island under control. Containment lines held in unfavourable southerly winds over the weekend, following a week long effort to contain the wildfire.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones has praised the efforts of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for bringing a large fire on Fraser Island under control.
Containment lines held in unfavourable southerly winds over the weekend, following a week long effort to contain the wildfire.
While the fire is not currently threatening life and property, QPWS crews are continuing to closely monitor the area.
“Our rangers have done their best to keep this wildfire under control, and have so far kept the fire away from homes and people,” Ms Jones said.
“I thank QPWS staff for their effort, and call on members of the public living and holidaying on Fraser Island to take care, and to heed the warnings of rangers and other fire control staff on the island.”
Ms Jones said the southern end of the island had been most affected.
“Approximately 22,000 hectares of the southern end of island has been affected, including the area from Hook Point up to Dilli Village on the eastern side of the island, through to Buff Creek on the western side,” she said.
“There have been many road closures as a result, and everyone on Fraser Island should make themselves aware of what roads have been closed and which ones remain open.”
The fire forced the closure of Hook Point road and several other roads, including Dillinghams Road and sections of Southern and Birrabeen Roads. Hook Point Road reopened on Friday ( 2 Oct ) morning.
Crews are being rotated and monitoring of the area is expected to continue throughout the rest of this week.
The following road closures will remain in place until the area is declared safe:
• Dillinghams Road • Southern Road south of Ungowa to Garry’s Anchorage • The scenic drive on Birrabeen Road from Lake Boomanjin to Dilli Village
More information about fire restrictions and park closures is available from 1300 130 372 or the DERM website at www.derm.qld.gov.au
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