Beach fires a burning issue



Tuesday 11 September 2012

Beach fires a burning issue

A recent spate of fires burning on Four Mile Beach, along with three injured children have sparked Queensland Fire and Rescue to clamp down on the illegal activity.

Six bonfires have been found burning in the past five days on the stunning stretch of beach, and it's not just tourists who are breaking the law, locals have also been caught burning vegetation and breaking total fire ban laws that have been in place since 1 August.

"Everybody calls them bonfires, but they're vegetation and large rubbish outdoor fires and they are illegal," QFRS Port Douglas Auxiliary Captain Lou Leone said.

He said that strong winds and dry coastal vegetation could lead to major fires which could not only destroy the tree line, but also threaten homes.

"You can see the fire activity around us up in the Tablelands and Cooktown. All these big fires, they all started from small fires.

"The other thing is the smoke and the fumes, you've got people living along the beach and they've got respiratory (problems)...these are the people who are calling them in.

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"They can see the fire, the can see the smoke, they can smell it. It's affecting them."

Even more disturbing is the injuries sustained to three children who were burnt by smouldering fires that had retained heat after being covered in sand.

"When the fires are left smouldering overnight, the sand heats up to about 200 degrees Celsius. The young kids have burned themselves just by walking near it.

"This has got to stop," Mr Leone said.

Backpackers are reportedly the biggest offenders and the QFRS have been contacting local low-cost accommodation houses in a bid to educate visitors to the beach about the illegal activity.

Beach entrances at Garrick Street and Sands Street were identified as two hot spots for illegal fires.

Fines of up to $1500 can be issued to anyone caught lighting a fire, which include urban fires in backyards, regardless of whether a total fire ban is in place.