Fire that razed half of Fraser Island finally contained

Fraser Island is set to reopen after the bushfire that savaged almost half of the World Heritage-listed island was finally contained.

The blaze,believed to be sparked by an illegal campfire in mid-October,burned more than 85,000 hectares of scrub on the sand island.

The fire that ravaged Fraser Island has finally been contained.

The fire that ravaged Fraser Island has finally been contained.Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

The heavy rainfall that has pummelled south-east Queensland over the past few days came as welcome respite for firefighters.

"We’re pleased to announce some good news for K’Gari[Fraser Island] residents today,"Queensland Fire and Emergency Services wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

"With the help of welcome rainfall and a massive response from crews,the fire is now contained and QFES is today handing back control of the fire to[the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service]."

Visitors have been banned from the island since late November.

Queensland's Opposition,as well as businesses,residents and tourists,have been critical of the state government's handling of the crisis,which LNP fire spokesman Dale Last said fell"well short of the mark".

Local rangers were battling the blaze alone for the first month until QFES firefighters were sent in to help once conditions worsened.

The specialist large air tanker,leased by the government for a $15 million five-year term in September,sat at its Bundaberg base until November 17.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ordered a review into the preparedness for,and response to,the bushfire.

The state government and responsible agencies have repeatedly said the initial efforts were restricted by difficult terrain (large,inaccessible areas) and the weather conditions.

The containment of the monster blaze came days after itnearly engulfedthe small town of Happy Valley.

About 50 residents,including rural fire brigade volunteers,chose to stay behind and fight the fire,rather than fleeing.

"We didn’t even lose a Hills hoist,"the bushfire safety officer for the region said.

Lydia Lynch is Queensland political reporter for the Brisbane Times

Matt Dennien is a state political reporter with Brisbane Times,where he has also covered city council and general news. He previously worked as a reporter for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ.

Toby Crockford is court reporter for the Brisbane Times.

Most Viewed in National