Moreton Island fire: Alerts issued for Cowan, Bulwer, Tangalooma residents and visitors

THE Moreton Island blaze is no longer threatening Bulwer or Cowan but the island is still dangerous for campers, QFES says.

At 2pm on Thursday, the fire was burning in bushland between Middle Road and Bulwer Blue Lagoon Road.

The blaze - which broke out on Saturday afternoon - was posing a serious threat to Bulwer and Cowan earlier in the week, with residents asked to evacuate on Sunday and Monday.

They have now returned to their homes, with the fire no longer posing any threat to the townships.

But campers were urged to stay away, with the fire having the potential to move unpredictably.

Backburning is set to continue along Middle Road to try to contain the fire. This could increase the amount of smoke around Tangalooma and people with respiratory conditions should keep medications close by.

"The fire could have a significant impact on campers and the situation is expected to remain unsafe for a number of days," a QFES alert said.

Earlier this week, the resort converted its conference facilities into evacuation centres for more than 220 people, and it has continued to provide shelter, blankets, pillows, shower and bathroom facilities as well as a barbecue for evacuated campe

The State of Fire Emergency has been lifted in parts of the state but a total fire ban is still in place for most south-eastern regions including the Redlands, Moreton Bay and Brisbane.

The fire danger remains high ahead of a warm and sunny weekend.

Meanwhile, fires in the Scenic Rim are still active but burning within containment lines at Mount Lindesay, Barney View, Clumber, Tregony, Palen Creek and Tarome.

UPDATE 8am Tuesday

RESIDENTS of Bulwer and Cowan have been allowed to return home, but Moreton Island remains unsafe for campers with a slow-moving, dangerous fire still burning.

As at 7.45am on Tuesday, the blaze is burning in bushland that stretches from Middle Road north to Bulwer Blue Lagoon Road.

"There is the potential for this fire to move unpredictably and it may impact campsites right across Moreton Island in the coming hours and days," a QFES alert said.

"The fire could have a significant impact on campers and the situation is expected to remain unsafe for a number of days.

"QFES crews are working alongside Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to contain the fire. Water bombing and backburning will continue throughout the day to strengthen containment lines, however, firefighters may not be able to protect every campsite."

QFES was urging campers to leave now.

Tangalooma Island Resort remains open as a place of refuge, providing meals, bedding and showers.

Campers on the eastern side of the Island should travel on Southern Middle Road towards the western side of the island before progressing south along the beach to Tangalooma. Campers on the western side of the island should travel south along the beach, directly to Tangalooma.

UPDATE 4.30pm Monday

QFES has described conditions on Moreton Island as dangerous and unpredictable, as a blaze closes in on the township of Bulwer.

At 4.10pm on Monday, QFES said a slow-moving, dangerous fire was burning close to the southern, northern and eastern side of Bulwer and it could move unpredictably. Conditions were getting worse.

"It is expected to impact campsites right across Moreton Island in the coming hours and days. The fire could have a significant impact on campers," the alert said.

Campers across the island and Bulwer residents were urged to evacuate or follow their bushfire survival plan.

"If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous."

Crews were working to protect the township and strengthen containment lines using water bombing and backburning but firefighters might not be able to protect every property.

Power, water and mobile phone service may be lost. Residents can expect ember attacks and people in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

Tangalooma Island Resort remains open as a place of refuge.

Tangalooma Island Resort will be providing meals, bedding in large shared rooms and shower facilities to those impacted.

Campers on the eastern side of the island should travel on Southern Middle Road towards the western side of the island before heading south along the beach to Tangalooma. Campers on the western side of the island should travel south along the beach, directly to Tangalooma.

Some of the people affected by the blazes were reportedly school-leavers who were forced to leave their campsites on the first day of Schoolies.

UPDATE 8.20am Monday:

QFES has warned Moreton Island campers, of dangerous and unpredictable fire conditions and that they should leave camp sites.

QFES says there is potential for this fire to move unpredictably.

It is expected to impact campsites right across Moreton Island in the coming hours and days.

The fire could have a significant impact on campers.

Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.

Tangalooma Island Resort is open to campers as a place of refuge. Campers on the eastern side of the Island should travel on Southern Middle Road or Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road towards the western side of the Island before heading south along the beach to Tangalooma.

Campers on the western side of the Island should travel south along the beach, directly to Tangalooma.

Call 000 if you are under threat.

UPDATE 8am Monday:

Residents in the Bulwer area (part of the Cowan fire) bushfire on Moreton Island have been told to leave their homes this morning.

The bushfire warning level was at watch and act, with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services warning the fire was approaching the Bulwer township and conditions were worsening.

It comes after a night of blustery and dangerous winds, with the Weather Bureau recording gusts to nearly 60km/hr overnight at Cape Moreton.

QFES says if island residents to not have a bushfire survival plan now the safest option is to leave now if it is clear to do so.

If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.

As at 6.25am a slow-moving, dangerous fire was burning close to the southern and eastern side of the township of Bulwer.

Although crews are working to protect the township, the fire could have a significant impact on the community.

UPDATE 6pm Sunday

QUEENSLAND Fire and Emergency Services has urged residents at Bulwer to be ready to follow their bushfire plan, with the township expected to be impacted by a large blaze about 7.30pm.

The fire is burning between the north of the Cowan township and Middle Road, south of Cowan.

QFES says conditions could get worse.

Residents need to be ready to follow their bushfire survival plan. If they do not have a plan, or intend to leave, they should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly.

This fire was anticipated to travel in a northerly direction from the Cowan township towards Bulwer.

Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property.

People in the area will be affected by smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality.

People wanting to self-evacuate should travel in a westerly direction towards the beach.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe your property is under threat.

UPDATE 6.15am Sunday

AFTER residents and campers at Cowan were told to evacuate last night, the Moreton Island bushfire has been downgraded to advice level, with separate fire warnings issued for townships to the north and south along the island's west coast.

At 9.20pm on Saturday, people at Tangalooma - including the popular Tangalooma Island Resort - were informed of a blaze travelling south towards Ben Ewa.

QFES said the Tangalooma area was not under threat but people would be affected by smoke.

Tangalooma Island Resort guests were asked to follow the directions and advice of Tangalooma Island Resort management.

Later on Saturday night, QFES said the bushfire had burned around the township of Cowan and was travelling in a northerly direction towards Bulwer.

Fire crews were working to strengthen containment lines and firefighters will monitor for spot fires throughout the coming days.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant as the situation could change quickly.

In an alert issued at 10.30pm, QFES said the Bulwer area was not under direct threat at the time but people in the area would be affected by smoke.

EARLIER 7.20pm Saturday

QFES says conditions are getting worse on Moreton Island, with a large fire burning adjacent to the eastern side of the township of Cowan.

As at 7.20pm, the blaze was travelling in a south-westerly direction towards the township of Cowan. It could have a significant impact on the community.

Limited fire crews are working to strengthen containment lines around the town but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. Residents should not expect a firefighter at their door. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.

Residents should evacuate in a westerly direction to the beach.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if you believe you are under threat.

EARLIER 6pm Saturday

RESIDENTS and visitors on Moreton Island's west were urged to leave the area on Saturday evening as a fast-moving fire headed towards the township of Cowan.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued a warning to residents at 5.30pm that the blaze was burning near the Cowan township and camping area and conditions were getting worse.

The large, fast-moving fire was burning on the eastern side of Cowan Bypass Track and travelling in a south-westerly direction towards the township of Cowan. It was expected to impact the township of Cowan within 10 minutes. QFES said it could have a significant impact on the community.

Residents were told to follow their bushfire survival plan or leave the area, evacuating in a westerly direction to the beach.

Limited fire crews were working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost.

Vsit the Rural Fire Service website for regular fire updates.

People who are evacuating their homes should:

If you are unable to leave: