Fraser Island fire facing ‘deteriorating conditions’ as heatwave rolls in

Emergency services battling a bushfire burning on Fraser Island for more than six weeks have warned conditions are expected to deteriorate over the next days amid a heatwave.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service regional director Mick Cubis on Friday said south-easterly winds were expected to veer from the north on Sunday and become “relatively strong and gusty”.

The fire is now about five kilometres north of Kingfisher Bay Resort, on the western coast, with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services warning residents and visitors would be affected by smoke.

“Despite the current milder conditions, backburning operations continue to be hampered by the stronger-than-expected winds on the fireline,” Mr Cubis said.