North Stradbroke Island bushfire forces campers to evacuate
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About 900 campers on North Stradbroke Island off the south-east Queensland coast are being evacuated amid concerns about a large bushfire in the Main Beach area.
There are fears a weather change may push the fire towards campground.
Objective is to have North Stradbroke Island, south of the causeway clear of people by 4pm today until the threat of fire has been reduced.
— SEQ EMERGENCY TEAM (@uhfemergency) January 1, 2014
The slow-moving fire has been burning for several days and is now on the eastern end of Alfred Martin Way at Blue Lake.
There is no immediate threat to campers or property, but a predicted weather change in the next few days has prompted authorities to issue an evacuation order for hundreds of holidaymakers.
SES volunteers, Redland City Council officers and wildlife rangers will help with the evacuation operation.
Self evacuations continue on Nth Stradbroke Island http://t.co/rXp5bXK5yM
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) January 1, 2014
A rest area will be set up at the Dunwich Community Hall for campers while they wait for a barge service to return to the mainland.
Several fire crews are continuing to monitor the blaze.
Tourists who are not planning to camp at Main Beach can continue to travel to the island.