Warning: buried beach fire temps exceed 350°C
That sunrise stroll can turn dangerous fast with last night's fire still scorching beneath the sand.
Beach fires put public safety and the fragile coastal environment at risk, particularly when poorly extinguished or covered with sand – covering a fire does not put it out.
Smouldering embers can remain dangerously hot, reignite, and spread, causing damage to dune systems, polluting the beach and ocean, and leaving behind glass, metal and other waste that harms people and wildlife.
Council crews regularly uncover hot ash, sharp objects and rubbish while cleaning up illegal fire sites, putting them at risk as well.
Fires are prohibited on all Sunshine Coast beaches
Safety on our beaches is a shared responsibility.
If you see a beach fire and it is currently active/alight, report to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on 000.
If the fire is not currently active/alight, however, there is debris and litter to clean up or damage to the sand or dunal areas contact Council online, by email, phone or in person.
Danger lurks beneath
While a winter beach fire might seem harmless, illegal fires left smouldering or buried under sand can pose a serious risk to barefoot beach users – especially children and early‑morning walkers.
Queensland Fire and Rescue created this display to show how dangerous campfires can be when they are not properly extinguished.
This patch of sand looks harmless. But just beneath the surface a fire was still burning at 300 °C.
Find out more
To find out more view the Lighting and maintaining fires factsheet on Council's website.