WATER bombing helicopters are expected to return to the site of a large bushfire still burning on Bribie Island.

While the fire has now been contained, Queensland Fire and Rescue spokesman Steve Holland said fire crews were continuing to monitor the blaze.

To help hold the flames at bay, Mr Holland said the water bombing helicopters would be brought in to assist QFRS crews today.

He said they were “hoping” the fire would not flare up again and were looking to start back burning at some stage today.

As for the smoke haze the fire at White Patch has caused around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Mr Holland said there is “every possibility” the haze will return this afternoon.

Police have advised this morning that all tracks and campsites on Bribie Island remain closed.

Despite the large fire being contained by fire crews, an Advice message was issued to residents of Bribie Island this morning, telling them to “remain alert”.

At 8am today, 16 crews were patrolling the fire and maintaining the containment lines, according to emergency services.

However, residents in White Patch Esplanade, including Toowa St, Horace St, Coondiba St, Ethel St, Hilda St, Maud St and Charles St are being told to remain aware of what is happening.

Earlier, more than 200 campers were ordered to leave the island's campgrounds at 12.45pm yesterday and residents were urged to prepare an evacuation plan.

Last night, several fires were still burning out of control on the island but were not threatening homes and the emergency warning was cancelled.

However, wind changes and higher weekend temperatures could see the dangerous conditions return.

Police have not ruled out arson as a cause of the fires.

Last night, 22 fires were burning across Queensland - including major blazes at Cootharaba, north of Noosa, and at Tin Can Bay - although none was threatening people's lives.

Lisa Wallis from Caloundra had been camping at Ocean Beach on Bribie Island with her family when they received the news to leave.

"We were going to get lunch when we noticed police who said they were closing the beach," she said. "We were told to go back quickly, pack up and we would have to get off the island."She said the busy camp ground was abuzz as people quickly packed up.

"It was busy at Ocean Beach, there were 50 sites and majority were taken," she said.

"Everyone was helping each other out, and we were lucky the tides were low and everyone could get out easily."

Where they were staying seemed calm but the dangers were in the back of her mind Ms Wallis said.

"We didn't (see) any smoke or signs of fire, so we thought we were in the clear, I was finding it hard to relax though, thinking about if the wind would swing."

Queensland has thus far escaped lightly from the summer's fires, which have caused at least $60 million in damage, mostly in Tasmania, where 128 homes have been lost and some 80,000ha - or 1 per cent of the island state's land mass - scorched.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday praised the "miraculous work" of firefighters battling hundreds of blazes across the country.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the cost of fires in Tasmania at $49 million, with damage of $9 million in Victoria, where eight homes were lost in a grass fire in the state's central west. No deaths have been recorded.

Cooler conditions helped 2000 firefighters stay on top of most NSW blazes and just one home was lost. Last night there were 141 fires in that state, with 31 of those still out of control. Authorities are battling to contain the fires before the weekend's warmer weather.

In NSW there was also anger after three teenage boys were released on bail for allegedly starting a grass fire that threatened homes.

Premier Barry O'Farrell said the teenagers should have spent time in jail.

As Ms Gillard praised firefighters, Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott donned a hard hat and helped fight fires south of Nowra yesterday. He is expected to spend up to three days helping on the south coast with the Davidson Brigade, with which he has volunteered since 2000.

Read more on The Courier Mail.