Island fire forces holiday weekend campers’ evacuation
Authorities compete to take advantage of positive wind conditions in a way that includes a fast -moving island fire that pushes the evacuation of campmers flocked to the pastoral point for the long weekend.
The uncontrollable fire on the Moreton Island of Queensland exploded on Saturday at 10.30 on the intense national parking area near the Eastern Beach and forced the evacuation of approximately 640 hectares and 20 campers to the west side of the island.
During the long weekend, nearly 500 people on the island, President Neil Parker said that emergency services mobilized a “great reaction” to the fast -spreading fire.
“We are extremely worried about keeping this community safe, and so we responded with 32 (fire) crew and we have five planes currently working, water bombardment and maping this fire.” He said.
Working during the night, the crew, especially about 100 houses and approximately 200 people in the northwest of the Bulwer community focused on protecting the island, he said.
Chef Supt Parker, “Tonight everyone watching football, our teams, volunteers and parking teams will be sure that the community is safe.” He said.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Spokesman Jay Desons said that there was a “really a great effort” to get a backburning from the multi -agency teams on the 37km Sand Island on the southeast coast of Queensland.
“There are counter lines, we still have jobs to do,” he said.
“However, we will continue to work on this issue today, we have a fire we want right now,” he said.
A positive wind change helped the background, which is a target area of approximately 2300 hectares.
“We have bigger winds until tomorrow and Tuesday and Wednesday, so today we really do our burning operations.” He said.
Carl and Susan Chrisp, one of Chrispy’s camps and adventures, told AAP that the island had just returned from the east side and put a drone to examine the fire.
“There were too many trees that were better than yesterday, but there are still stain fires.” He said.
“We could see a point where the fire was still burned, and he took off with just one wind and immersed the smoke into the air.” He said.
He continued: “Frankly, we hope the best, but I think they have a long way before dropping this risk to zero.”
Mr. Chrisp said the authorities “took it seriously”.
“There are many aircraft there, it drops water, and a lot of firefighters came last night, and they were all boxed on the beach, it’s pretty fun.” He said.
The Rangers were watching the effect on wildlife, but death or injury has not been reported yet.
The cause of the fire was not yet known. A total fire ban on the island is in force.
