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Stradbroke Island fire may flare up again

A bushfire burning on North Stradbroke Island may flare up again when the wind changes direction late on Sunday.

The Queensland Fire & Rescue Service Competition in Musgrave Park
An emergency bushfire alert for a blaze on Queensland's North Stradbroke Island has been cancelled. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Firefighters battling a blaze on North Stradbroke Island are bracing for another wind change that may cause it to flare up.

The bushfire remains within containment lines, but those battling it are preparing for the wind to change direction on Sunday night, the Department of Community Safety says.

Back-burning to strengthen containment lines on the north and northeastern sides of Dunwich, a main town on the island, will get underway about 2pm (AEST) on Sunday.

The back-burning will also increase the buffer zone between the fire and properties before a wind change from the east northeast late on Sunday.

Fast-moving fire came close to homes in Myora on Saturday night, forcing some residents to flee.

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Fourteen adults, six children and two dogs spent the night at an evacuation centre on the island.

Redland City Council deputy mayor Alan Beard said they were escorted home at 7am (AEST) on Sunday, but were told to be prepared to leave again at short notice.

About 40 people were escorted to their homes by emergency services personnel in the early hours of Sunday morning, he said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has cancelled a watch and act alert for the island, but is warning residents to remain vigilant.

A number of community meetings will be held on the island on Sunday to give residents up-to-date advice on the fire.

North Stradbroke Island councillor Craig Ogilvie praised the efforts of firefighters, who have been able to prevent losses of life and property.

"If it were not for the incredible efforts of firefighters ... there may have been a very different outcome to what we have today," he said.

The fire has been burning since last Sunday, and forced the evacuation of around 900 campers on New Year's Day.


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