"This fire had a devastating effect and was quite simply totally avoidable. A large amount of damage was caused to the island,many people were inconvenienced and the firefighting response risked lives and cost a large amount of money,"he said.

"The motto here is quite simple,enjoy our national parks,but abide by the rules that are in place to protect lives and property.

"It is not alleged that these male persons deliberately started this wildfire … it is not alleged we hold them accountable for the entire fire on the island.

"The act was one of stupidity – lighting unauthorised fires on Fraser Island,it is common knowledge you can’t light fires on Fraser Island in these areas and what flowed from there was catastrophic."

Senior Sergeant Harbison said several witnesses came forward and provided information to the parks and wildlife service. Police followed up with these people who saw people,vehicles and captured footage of them.

He added the people involved were"careless,but they never intended for this to happen"and as a result,they were"shocked and devastated ...[and] full of remorse".

A 24-year-old Warwick man was charged with unlawfully lighting a fire and leaving a fire unattended.

A 21-year-old Rosenthal Heights man,a 24-year-old Rosenthal Heights man and a 23-year-old Massie man have been charged with one count each of the unlawful lighting of fires.

They will appear in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on January 21.

Police allege a 17-year-old boy was also involved,but he has not been officially charged because of his age. Instead,he will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

According to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service,campfires are not allowed on Fraser Island except in the communal fire rings provided by the service at Dundubara main and Dundubara group camping areas,and Waddy Point camping areas (top and beachfront).