BOM provides weather update with firefighters unlikely to face easing conditions
Firefighters to continue battling Snug fire with heatwave conditions forecast. WATCH frontline footage.
Tasmania
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January 31: Fire permits have been suspended statewide from Saturday ahead of a forecasted severe heatwave.
Tasmania Fire Service southern regional chief Simon Pilkington confirmed the decision as the state’s firefighting resources are focused on the bushfire in the Snug Tiers.
“Any additional fires may result in depleting resources and increased response times,” Mr Pilkington said.
Fire Permits will be suspended from 2am Saturday, February 1 until 2am Wednesday, February 5.
This means no fire permits will be issued during this time, any already issued have been cancelled and burns under one cubic meter — that don’t require a permit — are strongly discouraged.
Elevated fire dangers into early next week are likely across southern Australia — including Tasmania, BOM warns.
The Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury provided an update on Friday morning, saying dry lightning could also pose a risk into early next week with temperatures soaring in many states including the Apple Isle.
Firefighters are expecting to continue battling the blaze at Snug Tiers for weeks with 410 hectares of bushland already scorched.
A monitor conditions warning was in place for Margate, Snug and surrounds with the conditions set to be changeable on Friday.
The firefighting efforts is a join effort between Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services.
A smoke alert was also in place for Margate, Snug, Kettering, Pelverata, Kaoota and surrounds.
The forecast weather conditions arrives on top of dry soil following no significant rainfall being predicted over the forecast heatwave, TFS says.
Ms Bradbury explained the “unusually hot” weather is due to a large unmoving high pressure system over the Tasman Sea.
She forecast a warm weekend would build and flow through to next week.
“Day time and overnight temperatures will push well above average in the southern states.”
Temperatures are set to push 15C above February averages through parts of central Tasmania.
Hobart is also expected to feel the heat, with 31C and 34C forecast for Monday and Tuesday respectively.
A high fire danger rating is also forecast for the midlands on Saturday.
Snug bushfire still rages and set to go on for weeks
January 30: Firefighting efforts continue at Snug Tiers in the Channel region on Thursday with firefighters, aircraft and heavy machinery set to be deployed over the coming weeks to assist with efforts.
Incident controller Andrew McConnon said the fire — fire reported on Tuesday afternoon — remained uncontrolled and had so far burned over 410 hectares.
“Firefighters, aircraft, and heavy machinery will be deployed over the coming weeks to assist with suppression efforts,” he said.
“Yesterday, more than 80 personnel from both TFS and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service worked to establish containment lines around the fire, with the support of ten firefighting aircraft.”
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an increase in temperatures later this week and high fire danger weather is predicted across inland parts of Tasmania.
Mr McConnon said they were focused on building and strengthening containment lines to limit the fire’s spread ahead of the forecast fire weather next week.
Bushfire advice warnings are in place for Pelverata, Kaoota and surrounds, Margate, Snug and surrounds and Oyster Cove and surrounds.
TFS advised the community to monitor conditions with warnings set to be in place over the coming weeks.
A smoke alert is also in effect for Margate, Snug, Kettering and surrounding areas.
Residents should be aware that smoke and ash may be visible in the region over the coming weeks and anyone at higher risk from smoke should enact their personal health plans.
Visibility also may be reduced in some areas.
People who don’t live in the area have been asked to stay away to allow emergency services to respond effectively.
The best way for Tasmanians to be prepared is to review your bushfire plan, be aware of your surroundings, keep up-to-date with warnings and report any fires to triple-0 (000).
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Katy Edwards said, “the Snug Falls track, Snug Tiers Reserve and Pelverata Falls Track are currently closed to the public.”
Snug fire remains visible, but no immediate threat
January 29: An uncontrolled fire continue to rage in bushland at Snug Tiers.
Firefighting efforts have continued on Wednesday morning after more than 70 personnel and nine firefighting aircraft battled the blaze on Tuesday.
The blaze was first reported at 3.10pm yesterday.
Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Andrew McConnon said additional resources would be deployed today to assist with the firefighting operations.
He said work yesterday, including personnel from the Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, worked to create containment lines.
So far the fire has burnt more than 170 hectares, and Mr McConnon said it was uncontrolled.
“Today we will be increasing resources on the fireground, prioritised on the southern and eastern edge of the fire,” he said.
“We’re reminding residents in the area to monitor conditions, be aware of ember attacks, and make a plan to stay safe.”
The fire is expected to remain very visible in the Channel area today and a smoke alert remains in place for Margate, Snug, Kettering and surrounding areas.
Drivers are also asked to use caution with smoke reducing visibility.
Tasmania Fire Service advises people to:
* Decide early if you are going to leave, and make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.
* If you have made a bushfire plan, use it now.
* If you don’t live in the area stay away. The roads could become highly dangerous.
* For fire updates visit tasalert.com
Water bombers and fire crews sent to Snug fire
January 28: More than 70 firefighters and nine waterbombing aircraft battled an uncontained blaze inland from Snug on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.
A Watch and Act alert was issued for communities in the Channel suburbs of Margate and Snug after the bushfire took hold in strong winds.
Incident controller Andrew McConnon told ABC radio the work by crews and waterbombing aircraft managed to quell the blaze and cooler conditions helped ease the situation.
The fire broke out in Margate Plains in the Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area about 4.40pm, with ember attacks and the bushfire threatening homes in nearby Snug Falls Road, Snug Tiers Road and surrounds.
A line of fixed wing planes and helicopters helped battle the blaze.
The fire warning was downgraded to Monitor Conditions just before 8pm.
However, Mr McConnon said he expected that the Tasmanian Fire Service would likely be fighting the bushfire for at least the next week.
“We are still looking at a longer term containment strategy,” he said.
In a release on Tuesday, the Tasmania Fire Service said that high winds meant the fire was “difficult to control” and smoke and ash would impact on the ability to breath.
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Heavy smoke from the fire impacted neighbourhoods and residents, with Tasmania Police urging motorists to drive slow in Snug, Margate and surrounding areas due to reduced visibility.
Police also closed Van Morey Road in Margate from Old Bernies Road but the area was later reopened for local residents
For the latest alerts go to the TasAlerts page
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