Bushfire Ravaging Tourist Mecca Fraser Island

An urgent review has begun into the handling of a bushfire that has been raging on the heritage-listed Fraser Island for six weeks, destroying 50 per cent of the land.
The giant blaze is thought to have been started by an illegal campfire on the island, off the coast of [/news/queensland/index.html Queensland], on October 14, and has burned 82,000 hectares of land.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) , kynghidongduong.vn who typically control World Heritage Areas during a bushfire, handed over the reigns to the state's fire service at midday on November 27.
On Wednesday, the [ ] published allegations of poorly kept fire trails and understaffing from QPWS, as locals claim red tape has made it impossible to save the forests.
The blaze is thought to have been started by an illegal campfire on Fraser Island (pictured), off the coast of Queensland, on October 14, and has burned 82,000 hectares of land
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) announced on Wednesday in Parliament that a review of the response to the blaze would be conducted
On Wednesday, the Courier Mail published allegations of poorly kept fire trails and understaffing from QPWS, as locals claim red tape has made it impossible to save the forests (pictured, fire)
Hana Robinson, from Drop Bear Adventures, said: 'It is obscene the amount of red tape that I have to jump through... to be able to just give back to something that needs to be protected.'
Concerned activists claimed they were forced to take donations in order to charter a flight to save animals because the response at the government level was inadequate.
They say the fire trials are so badly kept that it has made them impassable by fire trucks, meaning they can't reach some areas facing the flames. 
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Wednesday in Parliament that a review of the response to the blaze would be handled by Inspector General for Emergency Management Alistair Dawson. 
'K'gari is beloved not just here but all around the world, which makes the sight of its burning so painful,' she said, the [ ]reported. 
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'It's understandable those who love the island want to be assured that everything that could be done to protect it has and is being done.
'That's why I can confirm that the Inspector General Emergency Management has been instructed to conduct a full review.'
She said extreme heatwave conditions predicted later this week would continue to test firefighters, with temperatures in the state topping 42C.
Ms Palaszczuk claimed the island had undergone 13,000 hectares of backburning in the lead up to the fire, but critics claim it hasn't helped.
Ms Palaszczuk aid extreme heatwave conditions predicted later this week would continue to test firefighters, with temperatures in the state topping 42C (pictured, fire on Fraser Island on Wednesday)
The QPWS has refuted claims it didn't respond to the fire appropriately, saying they acted immediately. 
'QPWS rangers have been in attendance since the fire began and have conducted a number of backburns and direct waterbombing attacks in an effort to either contain or suppress the fire movements,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
'These efforts were challenging due to the hot, dry windy conditions.
'The bushfire has had a significant impact on the island and has led to a coordinated fire response by QPWS, QFES and the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation.
'Much of the fire has burnt in inaccessible bushland, at a slow pace with varying intensity. However, poor weather conditions more recently has seen the fire grow in size and intensity. About 50 per cent of the island is within the burn perimeter, and the fire has created a mosaic of burnt and unburnt country.'
Fraser Island - also known as K'gari - is a popular tourist destination in Queensland (pictured, women at Lake McKenzie)
Residents and tourists left in the area on Wednesday was urged to 'prepare to leave' by emergency services (pictured)
He said fire is a natural part of the state's landscape and vegetation had adapted to survive bushfires on the island.   
The spokesman said prolonged periods of hot, dry and windy weather conditions remain, hindering the efforts. 
'Significant resources are being used to support ongoing firefighting operations, including more than 75 personnel and 30 appliances along with aerial support to protect the island's cultural and World Heritage values,' he said. 
Access to the island for visitors was closed from 5pm on November 27, but people already on the island were allowed to stay, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said last week.
'This is due to the erratic and difficult fire weather conditions we are experiencing there and the movement of the fire in the last 24 hours,' Commissioner Greg Leach told reporters.
The blaze is currently about five kilometres north of Kingfisher Bay Resort on the west side of the island
'Our operations in the last couple of days had limited success in holding the front of the fire.
'If people have plans to head to the island and are on their way there now, they should take the opportunity to turn around.' 
The blaze is currently about five kilometres north of Kingfisher Bay Resort on the west side of the island.
The resort was evacuated on Monday, as the ferry terminal turned into an emergency hub to get people back to the mainland. 
Residents and tourists left in the area on Wednesday were urged to 'prepare to leave' by emergency services.
'Extensive water bombing yesterday was effective in slowing the spread of the fire,' a statement from QFES said.
'Water bombing is planned to continue throughout today. Conditions remain unpredictable and can change rapidly.
'Multiple fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property.
'People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality. ' 
Queensland Fire and Emergenc[






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Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Park and Wildlife Services for comment. 



[ Fraser Island bushfire review ordered by Queensland Government - ABC News][ Fraser Island bushfire review ordered by Queensland Government - ABC News]



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