Fraser Island fire worsens as QFES increase warning level to 'leave immediately' for Happy Valley village - ABC News

Residents of Happy Valley on Fraser Island (K'gari) have been told to leave immediately by authorities as the fire front worsens.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) elevated the bushfire warning to an emergency warning level at 2:45pm this afternoon.

QFES said it could be too dangerous to drive soon and leaving is the safest option.

People in and around Happy Valley township are being asked to leave the area and head to the Eastern Beach and head south to Eurong Resort.

There is also a separate prepare to leave warning in place for Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, which has been at the same level for at least a week.

A bushfire is burning east of the Kingfisher Bay Resort from the Dundonga Fire Break through to Cornwells Road.

A QFES spokesman said firefighters may not be able to protect every property and home owners should not expect firefighters at their door.

North-westerly winds on Fraser Island are expected to reach up to 30 kilometres per hour later today.

The blaze was sparked by an illegal campfire seven weeks ago and has blackened roughly half of Fraser Island.

Last week QFES personnel conducted back-burning operations to try and stop the fire from spreading through the Cathedrals on Fraser campground on the eastern edge of the island.

More than 80,000 hectares of land have been burnt so far and as of Wednesday last week 1,000,000 litres of water had been used in aerial firefighting efforts.

The State Government also directed the state's Inspector-General for Emergency Management, Alistair Dawson, to examine the response to the fire.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said there have been 1,800 bushfires since the start of August.

"Some of these conditions are the driest and warmest in twenty years, and following on the back of Cyclone Debbie there are additional fuel load in parts of our state," Mr Ryan said.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEyLTA2L2ZpcmUtZnJhc2VyLWlzbGFuZC1raW5nZmlzaGVyLWJheS1yZXNvcnQtcHJlcGFyZS10by1sZWF2ZS8xMjk1NTIyMNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjk1NTIyMA?oc=5

2020-12-06 03:36:00Z
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