Fires on Cape York Peninsula, Australia - November 3rd, 2009

Fires in Queensland, Australia - November 4th, 2009

Thick plumes of smoke from multiple wildfires on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia, billow to the west towards the Gulf of Carpentaria in the main image, taken November 3rd.

The long trail of smoke originating near the east coast is from a wildfire in the Iron Range National Park. The other fires visible, on the other hand, appear to be outside national park areas. Also visible off the eastern shores is a section of the Great Barrier Reef.

The second image, taken the day after, focuses on fires further to the southeast in Queensland, in the Buckland Tableland area of the Great Dividing Range Mountains. This area, part of the Carnarvon National Park, consists of a complex of mountain ranges, plateaus, upland areas and escarpments with an ancient and complex geological history.

Other areas of Queensland are also at risk for fires, and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has thus put fire bans into affect for North Burnett, Fraser Coast, South Burnett, Gympie, Cherbourg, Bundaberg, Whitsunday, Burdekin, Townsville, Charters Towers, Richmond, Mackay, Isaac, Banana, Gladstone and Rockhampton. The bans will remain in place until midnight on Monday, November 9th, although they may be extended again if dangerous fire conditions continue.

Tags: Australia Buckland Tableland Calf of Carpentaria Cape York Peninsula Carnarvon National Park Fires Great Barrier Reef Great Dividing Range Iron Range National Park Queensland |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Leave a response, or trackback