Officials confirm 19 Dolphin Sands homes have been destroyed by fire as the area prepares for another high fire danger weather
The damage from a devastating bushfire that tore through a small East Coast community has been counted as the area braces for more severe weather that increases fire danger.
Sunday, December 7: The damage from a devastating bushfire that tore through a small East Coast community has been counted.
Officials have confirmed 33 houses sustained damage and out of those 19 have sadly been destroyed.
The area braces for the possibility of another flare up as the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds for parts of the East Coast, including the bushfire affected zone, from late this evening into Monday.
This comes after rain provided firefighters relief and the ability to bring the bushfire under control since it ignited on Thursday.
Tasmania Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith said with the increasing winds and debris still on properties, conditions posed safety risks to the community and therefore Dolphin Sands Rd would remain closed.
“While the situation is constantly being assessed, weather plays a part in that assessment and at this stage it is not safe for residents or vehicles to enter the area,” he said.
“We’ll continue to reassess the situation tomorrow and keep the community informed at the earliest opportunity.”
A crew of about 30 firefighters remain on the scene extinguishing hot spots.
“At this stage we can confirm that a total of 33 houses sustained damaged -sadly 19 of those homes have been destroyed,” Commissioner Smith said.
“To date, 122 assets sustained damage – this includes sheds, caravans, water tanks, carports, garages, electricity transmissions. Some addresses have damage to multiple structures /assets on the property.”
“Our thoughts are with the Dolphin Sands community at this time, particularly those affected homeowners. I want to thank the Dolphin Sands community for their incredible resilience and community spirit over the past few days.
“I’d also like to thank all emergency service workers and volunteers who have worked tirelessly in battling these fires over the past few days in very challenging conditions. Your dedication and commitment is greatly appreciated.”
Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer said Dolphin Sands Road east of 191 Dolphin Sands Road currently remains closed for safety reasons.
The cause of the Dolphin Sands fire remains under investigation.
An evacuation centre remains open at Swansea Town Hall for residents unable to return to the area.
• Stay up to date via TasAlert.com
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• For road closures, visit the Tasmania Police website Community Alert link at www.police.tas.gov.au
Rain helps firefighters overnight
The Dolphin Sands bushfire has been contained by firefighters after rainfall overnight eased conditions.
Around 30 firefighters remain on the ground working on “pockets” of fire and continuing blackening out and patrol efforts.
Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Mark Klop said two excavators would be used to create a fire break at the eastern end of the fire on Sunday.
Residents east of 191 Dolphin Sands Road remain locked out of their homes with conditions being reassessed today to determine if it’s safe to safely reopen the road.
Those from the Tasman Highway to 191 Dolphin Sands Rd can now return home to assess the damage.
Authorities are urging caution for residents returning to the bushfire stricken area and have told the public to stay away until further notice.
Mr Klop said the area faced a slightly elevated fire weather.
“At this stage, it is not safe for residents or vehicles to enter the area. Significant debris remains on properties, including roofing materials and contaminants,” Mr Klop said.
“TasNetworks and tree debris have been removed, however, ongoing tree assessment and assistance to TasNetworks is continuing.
“We recognise that this is stressful and frustrating for residents, but the safety of the community and responding emergency services is our number one priority at this time.”
The cause of the Dolphin Sands fire remains under investigation.
Property losses are being assessed and the number damaged or destroyed hasn’t officially changed since Friday’s assessment of 19 houses or shacks impacted.
TasNetworks infrastructure also suffered significant damage. An evacuation centre remains open at Swansea Town Hall.
Addressing media on Sunday morning in Launceston, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had a briefing Sunday morning about the East Coast fires.
“I commend all firefighters for their work done in recent days,” he said.
“There are still 14 crews in action, particularly focusing on the eastern west bank of Dolphin Sands. Pressure has eased with eight millimetres of rain overnight, and hopefully homeowners will be able to access their properties in coming days.”
Mr Rockliff said 19 shacks and homes had been impacted.
“My heart goes out to all those homeowners, shack owners and families that have been impacted,” he said.
“My main message is to thank Tasmanian firefighters, SES personnel for once again putting themselves on the frontline to protect people and property.”
There have already been six applicants for the short term grants made available to help impacted families.
Mr Rockliff said the government will help the community.
“We will look at other measures should they be asked for and to see what we have done in the past to support communities,” he said.
Mystery surrounds cause of bushfire
Fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of a bushfire which destroyed houses at Dolphin Sands on Thursday as fire conditions on Tasmania’s East Coast abated on Saturday as a cool westerly change moved through the area.
The easing of conditions coincided with questions about how and where the fire started with officers on the scene investigating whether residents had lit fires under the permit system on the day of the blaze.
Tasmania Fire Service Regional Chief for Southern Tasmania Simon Pilkington said the losses were still 19 houses damaged.
The Mercury understands some of the houses have been destroyed.
“There is currently a fire investigation underway and until that process has been completed we won’t have any further comment on how the fire started,” Mr Pilkington said.
He said the Dolphin Sands area had coastal heath comprising boobialla and coastal wattle which had a high oil content.
“All it needs is a fire start and a wind and it will drive under almost any conditions,” he said.
Mr Pilkington said crews concentrated on containing the live edge on Saturday.
He said other activities on the fire ground were aimed at ensuring safety in the Dolphin Sands 700ha area struck fire.
“We have rapid assessment teams, fire investigation teams, we have recovery teams and community fire safety review teams,” he said.
“We also have TasNetworks, they are in there re-establishing power.”
On Saturday evening Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service reopened the Dolphin Sands Rd up to number 191 to residents only.
“Dolphin Sands Road east of 191 Dolphin Sands Road will remain closed until Monday 8 December, when conditions will be reassessed,” Mr Pilkington said.
“Residents are urged to proceed with caution through the area and all other members of the public are urged to stay away from the area until further notice.”
Mr Pilkington said that an updated forecast on Saturday afternoon showed slightly elevated fire weather in the Dolphin Sands area on Sunday.
Tasmania Police commander Jason Elmer said that the closure affecting Dolphin Sands Road east of 191 Dolphin Sands Road to Bagots Point would be reassessed on Monday morning.
“Residents who are already in the area will need to remain in place until the road can be safely reopened,” Commander Elmer said.
“We recognise that this is stressful and frustrating for residents, but the safety of the community and responding emergency services is our number one priority at this time.”
Emergency Services would be doorknocking to check on welfare and ensure that everyone in the area had food and medical supplies and to identify any additional support required.
Mr Pilkington said he did not know exactly where the fire started.
Police, Fire and Emergency management Minister Felix Ellis visited the evacuation centre in Swansea on Saturday.
He said he was grateful for volunteer firefighters who had come from all parts of the state to help local crews.
Mr Ellis also thanked the community for its patience and resilience in the face of great stress.
“This is the summer period and its important for all Tasmanias that we are all doing out part to make sure that we are safe over the coming months of the bushfire season,” Mr Ellis said.
Mr Ellis urged people to review bushfire plans because the state was particularly fire prone.
Shack owners in limbo
Saturday, December 6: Residents and shack owners from Dolphin Sands face an anxious wait for news about their properties.
Nineteen homes were destroyed during a bush fire which burnt more than that 700 hectares of the area.
Paul and Kerry Haddad of Hobart had yet to hear of the fate of their shack on Saturday afternoon.
The Dolphin Sands community Facebook page had messages from community members which relayed information to at least two members who had lost homes.
Tasmania Fires Service regional chief for Southern region Simon Pilkington said conditions had eased on Saturday.
He said assessments were still being done of damage.
TasNetworks is on the ground replacing up to 40 power poles.
Mr Pilkington said the nature of the coastal vegetation, boobialla and wattle had a high oil content which made it particularly prone to fire.
He said it was hoped that residents would be allowed to see their properties within 24 hours.
He said there was no fire ban was in place when the blaze broke out.
He said it was concerning that people may have fires at the time of extreme conditions, high wind, low relative humidity and relatively warm temperature.
Firefighters enter another day of battling devastating bushfire
Firefighting efforts have entered a third day at Dolphin Sands, however there’s hope easing conditions will help contain the devastating bushfire.
Tasmania Fire Service and contractors continue to assess the damage from the raging blaze, but so far have confirmed 19 houses or shacks, 15 outbuildings and four cars have been destroyed or damaged.
Tasmania Fire Service Regional Chief Operations Southern Region Simon Pilkington said crews were hoping easing weather conditions this weekend would assist firefighting efforts to bring the blaze under control.
>> LATEST CONDITIONS VIA TASALERT
The Dolphin Sands fire remains uncontained as of Saturday morning.
A watch and act alert remains in place and the community is advised it isn’t safe to return.
The current warnings in place by the TFS are:
• Bushfire Watch & Act – Dolphin Sands – Not safe to return
• Bushfire Advice – Glenlusk – Monitor conditions
• Bushfire Advice – Colebrook – Monitor conditions
• Bushfire Advice – Levendale – Monitor conditions
• Bushfire Advice – Rhyndaston – Monitor conditions
Mr Pilkington said firefighting efforts would focus on Dolphin Sands today.
“Dolphin Sands Road remains closed, and I urge people to stay away from the area while we work to make it safe.
“We are continuing to assess property losses at Dolphin Sands and are contacting property owners in due course.”
The cause of the bushfire remains unknown.
It’s also been confirmed TasNetworks power poles have suffered significant damage in the area, with many residents facing the possibility of up to a week without power.
An evacuation centre remains open at Swansea Town Hall for residents unable to return home.
A drop-in session for community members is operating between 11am to noon at Swansea Town Hall.
Four other bushfires raise some concern elsewhere in the state.
Mr Pilkington said Glenlusk, Colebrook, Levendale and Rhyndaston remained at advice level and would be reassessed this morning.
“The fire at Levendale took a run yesterday evening, but has been brought back under control,” he said.
“The fire at Glenlusk has been downgraded to Advice and we are asking the community to monitor conditions.
“Today’s crews will be supported by specialist Remote Area Teams to contain the Glenlusk fire in some particularly steep terrain to the west of the fire.”
Mr Pilkington thanked those on the front lines for their efforts during the extremely challenging weather conditions.
Houses lost in devastating Dolphin Sands bushfire
Friday, December 6: Tasmania Fire Service Commissioner Jeremy Smith confirmed 19 houses and shacks had been damaged by the Dolphin Sands fire 700 hectares of land burnt.
Two firefighters have also suffered minor injuries on Thursday at other fires across Tasmania, he said, however they were able to be patched up and returned to the front lines.
While the warning has been downgraded from emergency to watch and act, residents are being told it’s not safe to return.
“At present, we know 19 houses or shacks have been damaged, 15 outbuildings have been damaged and four vehicles,” Mr Smith said.
“This number may increase as crews go through the fire grounds to make it safe and to assess the damage.
“We also know that a number of structures within the burnt area that have survived the intense fire that burnt late in the afternoon … and right through the night.
“The fire is still not contained and we have crews actively firefighting and moving through the smokey fireground today.”
Community members in the area have been left feeling “shell-shocked” with many reporting several houses have been destroyed already.
Further unrest is growing among residents with winds picking up and expecting to cause more havoc for firefighting.
Those who will be able to return to their homes could have to wait for up to a week before power returns after it’s understood at least 25 power posts have been damaged by the fire as well.
Tasmania Fire Service is giving an update this afternoon on the latest conditions.
Glamorgan Spring-Bay Council acting chief executive Dick Shaw said the council set up the Swansea evacuation centre by late Thursday afternoon.
“We had about five people here,” he said on Friday morning from town hall.
He said the concern now was the impact of homes lost to fires.
>> LATEST CONDITIONS VIA TASALERT
A Red Cross support team has been dispatched and will be at the evacuation centre around 12pm.
“It’s fair to say people were a bit shell shocked,” Mr Shaw said.
“We expect that in the next 24-48 hours is when people will realise maybe the incident has affected them.”
Dolphin Sands residents from Swan River Rd, Cambria Rd and Dolphin Sands Rd, are being told it’s not safe to return.
There will be a community meeting at 3pm at the town hall with TFS and TasNetworks.
Multiple warnings remain in place across the state, for the latest check out TasALERT.
High winds hamper crews battling Tassie bushfires
Fire-fighters are continuing to battle multiple bushfires on Friday morning after a dangerous and blustery 24 hours.
As of 7am today, Tasmania Fire Service confirmed they would focus efforts on Dolphin Sands and Glenlusk, with fires at Abels Bay, Colebrook, Levendale and Rhyndaston to be reassessed this morning.
>> LATEST CONDITIONS VIA TASALERT
Southern Regional Chief Simon Pilkington said emergency warnings and watch and act alerts were issued for several Tassie communities yesterday, with strong winds making fires difficult to control.
“The conditions were unpredictable, and unfortunately for much of the day we were not able to safely deploy aircraft to assist firefighting efforts,” he said.
“A slight improvement in the weather late yesterday afternoon meant we were able to downgrade many of the alerts and warnings.
“We are aware of property losses in Dolphin Sands, and will be completing rapid impact assessments this morning to confirm the extent of this, when safe to do so.”
Chief Pilkington said Friday’s weather was expected to be “more favourable” for the 70-plus crews to get blazes under control.
“In addition to crews on the ground, we will look to have aerial resources deployed to Dolphin Sands,” he said.
“An evacuation centre remains open at the Swansea Town Hall for residents affected by the Dolphin Sands fire.”
“A number of community members also sought safety at Bagots Point overnight, and we commend them on taking this action to keep themselves safe.
“Our priority is community safety, and we are urging people to please stay informed and up to date as the situation continues.”
‘Rapidly evolving’
Thursday, December 5: Tasmania Fire Service crews are battling dangerous conditions across the south and east of the state, with 12 fires currently burning out of control following a day of extreme weather.
Authorities have identified major incidents at Glenlusk, Dolphin Sands and Levendale as areas of primary concern, with 77 crews currently deployed to fight the blazes.
>> LATEST CONDITIONS VIA TASALERT
TFS incident controller Simon Pilkington described the situation as a “rapidly evolving day” with fire weather forecast “exceeding what was predicted”.
While crews believe they are getting the Glenlusk incident under control, the situation at Dolphin Sands remains volatile.
“Levendale, though not heavily populated, the fire behaviour there is erratic … we want people to stay well away from that area.”
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that damaging conditions lashed the region, with Hobart recording wind gusts of 102km/h about midday and gusts on Maria Island reaching 113km/h.
Dolphin Sands shack owner Rhian Shephard shared a photo of her home with flames billowing out the windows and roof, saying the “place the felt most like home” was gone.
“So much for Christmas holidays at the beach,” she said.
“I’m not OK. But thankful that no one was in it, and for the people that tried to help.”
Speaking to the Mercury late Thursday, Rhian said she had “poured my heart and soul into making this home”.
“We are absolutely devastated. I’m thankful we were not in it when the fire went through.”
Mr Pilkington said TFS was aware of damage to properties and structures in the Dolphin Sands area, but the extent of the assets impacted would not be known until Friday morning.
An evacuation centre has been opened at Swansea Town Hall for those residents affected by the Dolphin Sands fire.
Meteorologist Luke Johnston explained that these winds, combined with warmer temperatures, caused humidity to “suddenly drop very low to around 20% very very quickly”, spiking the fire danger to extreme levels at several observation sites.
High winds grounded aerial support for much of the day, complicating suppression efforts. However, a break in conditions late in the afternoon allowed aircraft to take to the skies.
“We’ve just deployed three aircraft from the south and also three aircraft from the north so they’ll be working fires in the next hour or so for us,” Mr Pilkington said.
Tasmania Police have implemented road closures to ensure public safety.
Acting Inspector Penny Reardon confirmed that Dolphin Sands Road is closed from Cambria Drive, and Glenlusk Road is closed between 813 Molesworth Road and the Glenlusk intersection.
Addressing concerns about the single entry and exit point for Dolphin Sands, Acting Inspector Reardon urged residents not to wait until the last minute.
“People can leave, but the message is if you plan to go, please leave early so that you mitigate the risk to yourself,” she said.
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that winds will ease between 8pm and 11pm Thursday night, though gusts may remain complex overnight.
A cold front is expected to bring relief this weekend.
“Winds and temperatures are expected to be much lower on Friday,” Mr Johnston said, noting that rain and snow are forecast for Sunday morning.
Residents of Glenorchy and surrounds reported smoke was visible over the hill towards Glenlusk, with a strong smell of fire drifting toward the northern suburbs.
“Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe,” TFS warns.
Tasmania Fire Service is attending the bushfire, with conditions expected to change quickly.
They urged residents to take action to protect themselves, their family and their homes.
If you cannot safely leave the area of the fire, the below may protect you from fire and radiant heat:
- Seek shelter in the nearest building.
- Check your surroundings often.
- Put out any fires close to the building until the fire passes.
- A large clear area such as a lawn, sportsground, parking lot or cleared paddock.
- A stationary car in a clear area.
Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and only travel if it is safe to do so.
Originally published as Officials confirm 19 Dolphin Sands homes have been destroyed by fire as the area prepares for another high fire danger weather
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