Bushfire rages on World Heritage site

MELBOURNE: Residents of a coastal township on Australia’s World Heritage-listed Fraser Island were told to evacuate yesterday as a bushfire approached.

Since it was sparked by an illegal campfire seven weeks ago, the blaze has blackened half the island off Australia’s north-eastern coast, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef and famed for its tropical rainforest on sand dunes, and inland lakes.

There was a small reprieve after the blaze lessened in intensity yesterday, Queensland state emergency services commissioner Greg Leach said. More than 90 personnel, 38 vehicles and 17 aircraft were deployed on the island.

Emergency services urged residents to evacuate yesterday afternoon. Baking temperatures caused peak bushfire conditions, with 48 fires raging.