Curtis Island bushfire – Update

Issued: 30 May 2023

Senior fire investigators will arrive on Curtis Island tomorrow to continue the investigation into the cause of a bushfire that started on Sunday 28 May 2023.

The bushfire that appears to have been deliberately lit has burnt through around 700 hectares of the marine plain on Curtis Island, off the coast of Gladstone.

The fire ground will be safe enough on Wednesday morning for fire investigators to conduct on-ground investigations.

There are currently two active bushfires, with a bushfire burning in a north westerly direction that is expected to self-extinguish against country that underwent a planned burn in March.

A bushfire burning in a south easterly direction is impacting on dry melaleuca swamp on the eastern side of the marine plain.

It could threaten sensitive ecosystems, including fire sensitive coastal dune forests, threatened species habitat and continue to impact the marine plains.

QPWS have used aerial water bombing and four on-ground crews, including bulldozers and graders to try and contain the bushfire.

There are constructed fire containment lines to the west and south of the active fire, and rangers could conduct back-burning operations on Wednesday if the bushfire is likely to impact to coastal dune system.

Water bombing operations are expected to recommence on Wednesday morning to help protect the coastal dune system.

Anyone with information about the bushfire is urged to contact the Queensland Police Service or the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 130 372.