The battle to control a massive bushfire that has razed half of the world heritage-listed national park on Fraser Island has a big problem.
While water bombers have dropped more than a million litres of water and fire-retardant gel on the blaze, the island’s loose surface has caused the liquid to rapidly drain away, making it less effective in the scrub-covered dunes.
Firefighters are bolstering defences on Fraser in a bid to gain the upper hand against the long-running bushfire that has burnt 81,500 hectares of vegetation since being sparked by an illegal campfire seven weeks ago.
There are fears the situation could worsen as temperatures rise in coming days and northerly winds strengthen.
One front is burning about 2km east-northeast of the popular Kingfisher Bay Resort, where firefighters have been coming on and off in shifts.
Photos provided to sunshinecoastnews.com.au show plumes of smoke not far from the resort, where guests were evacuated on Monday and most staff late on Wednesday.
They also show the small aircraft being used to scoop water from the sea and drop it on the bushfire.
On the eastern side of the island, the fire is about 4km west of the Happy Valley community.
The Palaszczuk government has assured Queenslanders that firefighters have the right tools after opposition spokesman Dale Last raised questions about limited use of the state’s larger air tanker that can carry 15,000 litres of liquid.
“We’re hearing it wasn’t deployed until November 17, some 34 days after the fire started,” he said.
“Since that time it’s only been deployed 10 times.”
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan told parliament on Friday decisions about their use were being made by the specialists fighting the blaze.
“The deployment of firefighting resources, including the larger air tanker, is a matter for the experts, our firefighters, he said.
“I trust them to make the right decisions just like this government trusted Dr Jeanette Young, our chief health officer, to make the right (COVID-19) decisions.”
“Nearly 100 specialists, including professional firefighters, are on the ground fighting this fire,” Mr Ryan said.
“They are being supported by firefighting aircraft, including five fixed-wing bombers, two heli-attack bombers, two air attack platforms, one air observation platform, one larger air tanker and one LAT lead plane.”
A “watch and act” alert is in place on the west side of the island with authorities warning conditions are likely to deteriorate over the weekend.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services took over management of the fire from the national park’s ranger service last Friday.
It immediately ordered tourists to stay away from the island, closing access to all except residents and essential workers.
Visitors already on the island have been told to stay close to campsites and avoid inland tracks and roads.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday ordered the Inspector-General Emergency Management to conduct a full review into the Department of Environment and QFES emergency response to the blaze.
Fraser Island is about 250km north of Brisbane and and covers more than 180,000 hectares.
The giant blaze is thought to have been started by an illegal campfire on October 14.
Fraser Island is about 250km north of Brisbane and 123km long.
According to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, it covers 181,851 hectares.
