Four people charged over illegal campfire that sparked Fraser Island bushfire
Four people have been charged after allegedly lighting an illegal campfire that sparked a bushfire that burned for six weeks on Queensland s Fraser Island.
Police allege Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers were alerted to reports of the illegal blaze within the Duling Camp Zone of Eastern Beach on October 14.
A group of rangers found the fire covered in sand but still radiating heat, with surrounding vegetation in close proximity on fire.
The bushfire took hold and subsequently burned approximately 87,000 hectares of the World Heritage site.
A bushfire has been burning for a month on Fraser Island.(Nine)
Premium Content
Subscriber only FOUR people have been charged over an illegal campfire which allegedly caused a blaze that tore through half of Fraser Island. The charges follow a joint investigation involving Queensland Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. It will be alleged on October 14, QPWS rangers on K Gari were alerted to an illegal campfire within the Duling Camp Zone of Eastern Beach, north of Orange Creek. Rangers attended and located a campfire that was covered in sand though still radiating heat. Native vegetation in close proximity had caught alight and started a wildfire to the north west of the camp site.
Shocked : Police reveal Fraser Island fire four s reaction dailyexaminer.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailyexaminer.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Premium Content
Subscriber only Four people have been charged with unlawfully lighting fires on K Gari (Fraser Island) following a joint investigation involving Queensland Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Police alleged on October 14, QPWS rangers on K Gari were alerted to an illegal campfire within the Duling Camp Zone of Eastern Beach, north of Orange Creek. A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said rangers attended and located a campfire that was covered in sand though still radiating heat. Native vegetation in close proximity had caught alight and started a wildfire to the north west of the camp site, the spokesperson said.
Last modified on Tue 22 Dec 2020 03.13 EST
Four men have been charged with unlawfully lighting fires on Queensland’s Fraser/K’gari Island, with more than half of the world heritage-listed site eventually scorched.
The men were charged on Monday after a joint investigation by Queensland police and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. They are all in their 20sand from the Warwick area, 130km south-west of Brisbane.
Police said park rangers were alerted to an illegal campfire on 14 October in the Duling Camp Zone of Eastern Beach, north of Orange Creek.
Rangers found a campfire that was covered in sand but was still warm. Vegetation nearby was on fire.