BUSHFIRE DEVASTATES WORLD HERITAGE FRASER ISLAND

On October 14th 2010 4 campers covered their campfire with sand. They drove away but winds moved the sand and the coals set embers into the surrounding dry undergrowth. This was the origin of the 2020 bushfires which devastated Fraser Island. It was not the first bushfire on the island. When the Butchulla Aboriginal People were present on the island they set fire to sections of the undergrowth to manage the level of dry material. This prevented large fires. In 2020 this burning practice had not occurred for many years. The fires in the north of Fraser Island spread in an uncontrolled manner. As the fire fronts reached the middle section of the island they approached the main settled areas and the main area of tourist attractions. Concerted efforts attempted to stop the advance and contain/control the fires. The fires were not classified as “out” until the last days of January 2021. By observing maps and photographs you can take your students to fire-affected Fraser Island to find out the cause, advance and final control of this fire. A final attachment page is included to check the level of understanding.