Moreton Island bushfire to burn 'for some time'

A large bushfire raging on an island off Brisbane could burn for some time, authorities say.

The fire has a 400-metre front and has been burning on the popular tourist destination of Moreton Island since Wednesday.

It broke out north of Cowan, sparked by a vehicle fire, and has so far burned about 350 hectares of swamp and forest on the island's western side.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman Anthony Contarino said firefighters were backburning around the town of Bulwer as the fire's northern front was 2km away.

He said there was no immediate threat to the town, or to Cowan, which is 2km from the fire's southern front.

"The risk of fire was greatly reduced by hazard-mitigation burns carried out last year," Contarino said in a statement.

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