An influencer has been fined $834 for illegally lighting a fire on the World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island) in Queensland. The state's Environment Department confirmed the penalty, adding that the woman also received a warning for flying a drone above a camping area, where drone use is restricted.
Campfires on K'gari are strictly prohibited except in communal fire rings provided by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at select camping areas when fire bans are not in place. Senior ranger Chad Hoult said content creators are not exempt from the rules and that social media influencers are not an official source of information on K'gari's regulations.
“Disregarding these rules poses a serious threat to K'gari's delicate environment, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage,” Mr Hoult said in a statement. He noted that illegal fires can quickly become bushfires, putting lives and the island's values at risk.
The incident follows a 2020 bushfire that burned for three months and devastated about half the island after a campfire was not properly extinguished. In the past quarter, rangers issued six infringement notices for illegal fires, which Mr Hoult described as an improvement.
At a symposium on K'gari's management, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation director Conway Burns highlighted the value of cultural burns in regenerating the island after the 2020 fires. He urged all visitors to understand regulations when visiting national parks, noting the island is still suffering from the previous blaze.
