Overnight backburning at 18 Mile Swamp fire, North Stradbroke Island

Overnight backburning at 18 Mile Swamp fire, North Stradbroke Island 

A fire is burning at 18 Mile Swamp on North Stradbroke Island, near Blue Lake on the eastern side of the island.

The Redlands Local Disaster Management Group has been stood up.

Qld Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Parks and Wildlife and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) will undertake backburning this evening at the causeway down the western side of the fire to try to stop it jumping the causeway.

Additional fire appliances are being sent to the island.

Currently the fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction.

As the fire is in inaccessible swamp, it is expected to burn for an extended period of time.

Most campers at Main Beach have self-evacuated at the request of Minjerribah Camping.

No life or property is under threat at present.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a dry lightning strike this afternoon during the storm event.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates. If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave. Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes

Stay up-to-date:

Wednesday November 28 3.44pm

STAY INFORMED: North Stradbroke Island bushfire as at 3.25pm Wed 28/11: https://t.co/uEZ5n7LDJA — Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 28, 2018

STAY INFORMED: North Stradbroke Island bushfire as at 3.25pm Wed 28 Nov

Bushfire warning level: ADVICE

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advises there is a bushfire on North Stradbroke Island.

You need to keep up to date and decide what actions you will take if the situation changes.

Currently as at 3.25pm Wednesday 28 November, there is a bushfire in the vicinity of Eighteen Mile Swamp, south of Alfred Martin Way, near Main Beach.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

Properties are not under direct threat at this time. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you or your property is under threat.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: • Listen to your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website for regular updates. • If you have a bushfire survival plan, refer to it now and be ready to follow it. • If you do not have a bushfire survival plan, or if your plan is to leave, identify where you will go if the situation changes. • Close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure. • If you suffer from a respiratory condition, keep your medication close by. • Drive with caution in low visibility conditions. • Contact your neighbours to see if they need help preparing for the bushfire. • Consider finding your essential items (e.g., identification documents, prescription medication, food and water, and protective clothing such as a long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, and boots) in case you need to leave. • Consider what you will do to protect your pets and livestock. • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. • Advise family and friends of your intended actions if the situation changes.

KEEP UP TO DATE BY: • Following QFES on Facebook (@QldFireandRescueService) and Twitter (@QldFES) • Staying tuned to your local radio station. Find your local ABC radio station at https://radio.abc.net.au/help/offline and your local commercial radio station at http://www.commercialradio.com.au/find-a-station/queensland; • Visiting the Rural Fire Service (RFS) website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map

FURTHER INFORMATION: • For bushfire preparation tips, visit the RFS website: www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety • For information about road closures, call 13 19 40 or visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

The next update will be provided when the situation changes.