Backburning to control island fire threat

Fire crews battling a blaze on North Stradbroke Island will begin a large backburning operation in a bid to stop the bushfire engulfing a community.

Firefighters will begin a large backburning operation in a bid to create a buffer between a major blaze and a North Stradbroke Island community.

Although the bushfire on the island is within containment lines, those battling to control it are preparing for a wind change that may cause it to flare up.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) crews will start backburning near the Dunwich community about 6.30pm (AEST) on Friday.

A second backburning operation will start in a nearby area about the same time.

The backburning will continue through the night before winding up early on Saturday.

The Department of Community Safety (DCS) says it hopes the backburning will create a buffer between the main fire and the Dunwich community ahead of an expected wind change late on Saturday.

Campers and mine workers in the Dunwich area were asked to leave after the fire jumped containment lines earlier on Friday.

Fire crews got the blaze back within containment lines but were still trying to get it under control, a DCS spokeswoman said.

Bushfires have burnt 3500 hectares so far and forced the evacuation of 900 campers on Wednesday.

The fire is heading towards a boaties' anchorage at Blakesleys Slip.


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Source: AAP


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