Thread: Huge fire on Fraser Island

Originally Posted by Arapiles

I wonder if they let it run as a low intensity environmental burn and it got away from them?

It’s horrible to think of a high intensity fire ripping through somewhere like the valley of the giants.

I don't know Fraser & have never been there but this fire has reportedly being going for 7 weeks which to me is surprising as it wasn't going to escape anywhere. I just don't get it.

From aerial footage they appeared to be slow moving fires.


Why in the hell has it taken so long? Environmental ****?

Apparently 26 Water Bombers were to be there today as well/including NSW's RFS B737 bomber. Must be mayhem in the skies over Fraser.

Originally Posted by 4bee

I don't know Fraser & have never been there but this fire has reportedly being going for 7 weeks which to me is surprising as it wasn't going to escape anywhere. I just don't get it.

From aerial footage they appeared to be slow moving fires.


Why in the hell has it taken so long? Environmental ****?

Apparently 26 Water Bombers were to be there today as well/including NSW's RFS B737 bomber. Must be mayhem in the skies over Fraser.

It’s beautiful and very special.

Originally Posted by Arapiles

It’s beautiful and very special.

That may be but 7 weeks on it won't be, so what defines special? If it is special you'd think it would attract more urgent attention.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Environmental considerations, the fire was only handed over to QFRS, from Parks & Wildlife this weekend.

I guess that this is the biggest part of the answer.

Don't ask: Leanne Enoch, Minister for Environment and Science is responsible for the department.

Originally Posted by 4bee

That may be but 7 weeks on it won't be, so what defines special? If it is special you'd think it would attract more urgent attention.

No idea what’s going on - how have they allowed 40% of the park to be burnt?

Originally Posted by Arapiles

I wonder if they let it run as a low intensity environmental burn and it got away from them?

It’s horrible to think of a high intensity fire ripping through somewhere like the valley of the giants.

Of course no-one is saying, yet, but I think you may have hit the nail on the head.


Has happened here in "govt" burn offs. They set up the potential fire ground with weather stations etc & a zillion trucks & assure us it will be fine. Then an unpredictable event occurs (ie. wind change & speed) & next thing they are up **** Creek without a paddle.

The blame then becomes a Whitewash Exercise.

Maybe no one believes the weather station data or even bothers to check them after they light up??


To be honest I don't know why I am giving a flying ****, me not living there but it ****es me off when indecision & possible disorganisation happens that affect the lives of innocent residents. All those assets & still not much to show for it.

Sometimes it appears to be who can front the media with the most Service Ribbons & flash uniforms exercise. Cynical? Moi?

Happy Valley residents win their fight. It's been a long preparation, about six months ago an officer from the Victorian RFS came to Happy Valley [ presumably to retire] . Once there he joined up with the residents, many of whom are RFS QLD members. His experience during the Black Saturday fires in Vic. allowed the locals to prepare their town for just such an event as has been happening this week. Yesterday they back burned an area which diverted the main fire away from the town. In effect their efforts in preparation and fighting the fire saved their Happy Valley. Now those residents have joined other fire fighters to save the little settlement just south of Happy Valley. A good news story in a story with no good news so far. As for why the fire was allowed to burn for so long, we will have to wait for the results of the inquiry. A mate of mine on the Island told me he thought that there was supposed to be a southerly change in the wind, which would have turned the fire back on itself. Of course that didn't happen. Fraser Island has burned before, well before the white man came,[ according to oral history] and will regenerate. How long that will take, and whether there will be any change in the vegetation, I can't say.

Originally Posted by bob10

Happy Valley residents win their fight. It's been a long preparation, about six months ago an officer from the Victorian RFS came to Happy Valley [ presumably to retire] . Once there he joined up with the residents, many of whom are RFS QLD members. His experience during the Black Saturday fires in Vic. allowed the locals to prepare their town for just such an event as has been happening this week. Yesterday they back burned an area which diverted the main fire away from the town. In effect their efforts in preparation and fighting the fire saved their Happy Valley. Now those residents have joined other fire fighters to save the little settlement just south of Happy Valley. A good news story in a story with no good news so far. As for why the fire was allowed to burn for so long, we will have to wait for the results of the inquiry. A mate of mine on the Island told me he thought that there was supposed to be a southerly change in the wind, which would have turned the fire back on itself. Of course that didn't happen. Fraser Island has burned before, well before the white man came,[ according to oral history] and will regenerate. How long that will take, and whether there will be any change in the vegetation, I can't say.

Who knows? Change in vegetation might be on the cards for all we/you know. Seed the whole place with Frangipani & Hibiscus.


I doubt it would be cool enough for Camellias.