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.
Share on Twitter
Four men who allegedly started an illegal campfire that burned through almost half of the world heritage-listed Fraser Island in Queensland have been charged.
Police arrested the four men in Maryborough on Monday, while a teenager will also be dealt with over the incident.
The men - aged in their 20s - face charges relating to the lighting of an unauthorised campfire that was not properly extinguished.
It s alleged Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services rangers were alerted to an illegal campfire in a camp zone on Eastern Beach on 14 October.
The rangers found a campfire covered in sand but still radiating heat.
How to holiday in Australia like a royal newidea.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newidea.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fraser Island welcomes visitors for Christmas season after rain douses recent bushfires
By Nicole Hegarty
TueTuesday 15
Kingfisher Bay Resort manager David Hay is thrilled the fires are under control.
(
Share
Print text only
Cancel
Rain has helped finally contain the bushfires burning for weeks on Fraser Island, and grateful tourism operators are again welcoming customers.
Visitors are now allowed back on the eastern beach and access is being granted to the townships and camping spots.
David Hay, manager of Kingfisher Bay Resort, said it was a relief to see the island open again after a very challenging few months.
About a week ago, the bushfires posed a serious threat to Kingfisher Bay Resort.
The parts of Fraser Island you can visit from today coffscoastadvocate.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from coffscoastadvocate.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.