An influencer has been fined more than $834 for illegally lighting a fire on the World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island).
Queensland’s Environment Department said the woman also received a warning for flying a drone to record video above a camping area, where use of drones 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.
Fires are strictly prohibited on the World Heritage-listed island. (Supplied: Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation)
Senior ranger Chad Hoult said content creators were not exempt from the rules.
He said social media influencers were 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.
In 2020, a bushfire burned for three months and devastated about half the island after a campfire was not properly extinguished.
The woman was also warned for using a drone in a restricted area. (Supplied: Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation)
“Illegal fires can quickly become bushfires that impact the island’s natural and cultural values and put lives at risk,” Mr Hoult said.
“We are lucky this wasn’t the case with this fire. However, we have seen illegal campfires become significant bushfires on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) and at Teewah.”
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation director Conway Burns is involved with cultural burns on the island.
He urged all visitors to understand the regulations when visiting any national park as the consequences of bushfires, like those in 2020, were devastating.
“Today it’s still suffering because it’s coming back wrong and sick,” Mr Burns said.
“We need to help heal it by connecting with her [K’gari].”