Large fire burns much of the northern half of Fraser Island in Queensland

The blaze is about 46 miles long

map fire Fraser Island Queensland Australia
Map showing heat detected by satellites at the fire on Fraser Island in Queensland, during the period November 16 through 23, 2020. The large gap shown between the burned areas is because the satellite heat data between October 14 and November 15, 2020 was not available.

A large wildfire is burning on Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Since it started October 14 it has grown to 46 miles in length, north to south, covering much of the 76-mile long island.

Officials from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) believe it started from an illegal cooking fire that was not completely extinguished.

Satellite photo showing the fire on Fraser Island in Queensland, October 16, 2020
Satellite photo showing the fire on Fraser Island in Queensland, October 16, 2020 a few days after it was reported.
Satellite photo showing the fire on Fraser Island
Satellite photo showing the fire on Fraser Island in Queensland, November 20, 2020.

At of 2:15 p.m. Sunday November 22, the QFES reported the fire was north of Moon Point Road East, and was west of Northern Road.

Crews from the QFES are assisting Parks and Wildlife rangers working to contain the blaze with the use of back burns, assisted by Conair’s Q400 air tanker which has been dropping on the fire, reloading at Bundaberg.

No homes or private property were directly threatened as of November 20.

Judging from the satellite data, the fire appeared to burn in a mosaic pattern, leaving unburned areas scattered throughout the fire’s footprint.

Fraser Island, a World Heritage-listed national park, is the world’s largest sand island (covering 410,000 acres), with rainforests, pristine freshwater lakes, seafront rock pools, colored sand cliffs, massive dunes and more than 75 miles of unspoiled beachfront facing the Pacific Ocean.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

2 thoughts on “Large fire burns much of the northern half of Fraser Island in Queensland”

  1. Yup, fire tracks used to be open on the island, Greenies in Govt deparments got them closed.
    Prev 4×4 enthusiasts used to keep them open.
    Now firefighters cant get in to help!

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