"Life-threatening" fire approaches town with dozens evacuated
A bushfire that's ravaged half of Fraser Island resulted in dozens being evacuated as the fire quickly encroached on a township.
An emergency alert was sent out at 3:30 am urging residents to "LEAVE NOW", with a large fire travelling towards the township of Happy Valley.
The fire is expected to have a "significant impact" on the township.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services warned conditions were very dangerous, and firefighters could be unable to prevent the fire advancing.
“The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path,” a QFES statement said.
Some courageous residents who are a part of the local fire brigade stayed to help air and land crews with the blaze.
The fire is said to have been sparked by an illegal campfire seven weeks ago and has burned through more than 80,000 hectares of world-heritage listed land.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach said that high temperatures and strong winds on Sunday had made efforts by firefighters difficult.
“There has been a heavy use of aircraft to try and reduce the spread of the fire,” he said on Sunday afternoon.
“In a normal fire fight we might drop 100,000 litres on a single fire. We’re doing ten or twelve times that on this fire.
“This is a marathon not a sprint. There is no significant rain in the forecast, and that’s the only thing that will put this out.”
“The local brigade has done mitigation and burning works, the town will stand in good stead should the head of the fire reach the township,” Commissioner Leach said.