Stradbroke Island Burning

Stradbroke Island is the second largest Sand Island in the world and is situated off the East Coast of Queensland, Australia. At the height of the 2014 summer holiday season, a series of lightning strikes ignited bush-fires that rapidly spread through the extremely dry foilage. Over several weeks, the fires consumed just over half of the Island, leading to mass evacuations of campers and forced migration of wildlife. From the headland, we watched as an approaching storm front produced further lightning and new fires. Nothing much could be done by beachgoers except make the most of the moment with many just continuing with life as usual. Finally a large storm formed over the Island and produced heavy cleansing rains. Only six weeks later, the blackened landscape showed signs of recovery, beginning a new cycle in the history of the island.