Fraser Island fire update: Happy Valley township saved from fierce bushfire

Firefighting efforts on Queensland’s Fraser Island (K’gari) have spared the township of Happy Valley from a fierce bushfire that came close to tearing through the small community.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services state coordinator Brian Cox said he expected the area would be declared safe within the next few hours.

“We’ve saved those homes and houses,” Mr Cox said.

“This has been a concerted effort between the ground crews … as well as the air attacks that we’ve thrown in.”

Earlier, residents had been told to leave immediately as winds fanned the blaze towards the township.

Mr Cox said aerial waterbombing throughout the day had made a “significant impact” in protecting the community.

“We had embers that were falling in and around that…