St Helens bushfire downgraded to Watch and Act advice as community counts cost of blaze
Details have emerged of losses in the bushfire burning at Stieglitz, near St Helens, as weather turns favourable.
Wednesday 2.30pm:
Landowners have learnt of losses from the bushfire burning at Stieglitz near St Helens as the Tasmania Fire Service revealed the challenging conditions on Tuesday night.
TFS Incident Controller David Casteller said that the weather is “favourable” for the rest of Wednesday.
“The crews faced really challenging conditions last night, the wind was very strong and erratic,” Mr Casteller said.
He said that the size of land burnt is about 1400ha and that two houses had been destroyed.
“We’ve also lost some other out buildings and caravans, but considering the conditions that our crews faced last night they have done a fantastic job to limit the damage to just two structures.”
Mr Casteller explained that luckily nobody had been injured.
He said that the wind coming in from various directions and extent of the fire covering such a large area, stretched needed resources.
At the height of the fire overnight, more than 90 firefighters along with several helicopters were on the scene battling the blaze.
Mr Casteller said it’s still “too early to say” what the cause of the fire was.
“We are going to investigate the cause, our current focus is on containing this fire,” he said.
He confirmed that if the fire was upgraded in severity, there were sufficient resources and crews available to be able to tackle a larger blaze.
Mr Casteller said a request had been made for aerial assistance from the mainland.
Wednesday 1pm:
The rollercoaster ride for residents in the Stieglitz area near St Helens continues with an emergency warning earlier on Wednesday downgraded to a Watch and Act alert for the area.
About 800 properties are without power in the small community on the outskirts of St Helens and residents told of plans to escape the blaze in boats as the fire raged overnight.
Meanwhile Break O’Day Council Mayor Mick Tucker said that there had been significant contributions from volunteers, supporting fire-hit residents.
“The good will within the community has been amazing,” Mr Tucker said.
“Hundreds of people have come through the evacuation centre or are staying next door with our navy cadets.” he said.
He confirmed that there were more than 800 properties still without power.
“It will be a lot of work and manpower to clean things up once the fires are done,” Mr Tucker said.
The evacuation centre is located within the Bendigo Bank Community Stadium on 117 Tully Street, St Helens.
Wednesday 9.30am: A ‘leave immediately’ warning has been issued for Stieglitz as an uncontrolled bushfire at Dianas Basin moves toward the town.
The Tasmanian Fire Service said the blaze is expected to put lives in danger and may destroy homes.
There is predicted to be thick smoke and showers of embers which may cause additional fires.
Residents are being urged to use their bushfire plan and leave to a safer location.
Fire crews are currently on the scene battling the blaze.
Winds have picked up and the fire has flared after a lull overnight.
TFS crews are attending the blaze, but have warned smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe.
There is a place of last resort located at Stieglitz Boat
Thursday Dec 9: A small township, Stieglitz, is being told to leave immediately with a bushfire emergency warning issued.
“An uncontrolled bushfire at Dianas Basin is travelling towards Between Aerodrome Rd and Jetty Rd, Stieglitz which is expected to put lives in danger and may destroy homes,” TasAlert said.
“There is expected to be thick smoke, and showers of embers which may cause fires all around you.
“Spot fires may threaten your home before the main fire arrives.
“You need to act now to survive.”
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
Dodges Ferry blaze
A watch and act alert urging people to monitor conditions has been issued downgraded to a smoke alert for a bushfire burning at Carlton Beach, Dodges Ferry.
TasAlerts says the fire is impacting Carlton Beach in the vicinity of the Surf Club and surround areas.
>> CHECK TASALERT FOR LATEST WARNINGS
“The fire is expected to be difficult to control,” TasAlerts had earlier said.
“Embers, smoke, and ash may fall on Carlton Beach in the vicinity of the Surf Club and surrounding areas and threaten you and your home before the main fire.”
Authorities are urging the community to take action now to protect themselves and others.
Meanwhile, more areas around the East Coast are being threatened by a bushfire raging near St Helens.
Tasmania Fire Service has issued a second alert for the area, this time urging Stieglitz, Akaroa and surrounds to monitor conditions as they are changing.
The TFS expect the fire to be difficult to control and are being assisted by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
This comes after an earlier Watch and Act was issued for Diana’s Basin urging people to prepare to leave. That warning was still in place at 4.15pm.
Campers were forced to relocate from Diana’s Basin Camping Ground in St Helens after Tasmania Police closed the facility due to fires in the area.
St Helens fire threatens Diana’s Basin
Tasmania Fire Service are battling a blaze in bushland north of St Helens on the state’s east coast.
A Bushfire watch and act for Diana’s Basin, St Helens is warning people to prepare to leave with a fire expected to hit the area by 2pm.
>> CHECK TASALERT FOR LATEST WARNINGS
The fire is set to be difficult to control and embers, smoke and ash may fall on Diana’s Basin and surrounding areas, threatening residents and their homes before the main fire.
Tasmania Fire Service is on the scene and say conditions are expected to be changeable.
“Take action now to protect yourself, your family and your home,” authorities said.
“If you have made a bushfire plan, check it now.
“Decide early if you are going to leave and make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.
“If you are not prepared for a bushfire, be ready to leave for a safer place. If you stay, your home may not be defendable.”
Multiple fires also burn across the state, including Dolphin Sands that has raged since Thursday. The threat of that blaze has lowered to monitor conditions with local traffic now able to use the main road in and out of the small community.
Smoke alerts are in place for Forest Rd, Ryndaston and Interlaken Rd, Oatlands.
Dolphin Sands Rd set to reopen
Dolphin Sands Rd will reopen to local traffic from 1.30pm today, Tuesday December 9, for the first time since a bushfire tore through the East Coast community on Thursday.
Southern Regional Emergency Management Controller Commander Jason Elmer said the decision was made after a comprehensive safety review.
“Thanks to crews working tirelessly to clear debris and restore damaged infrastructure, and with wind conditions easing, the situation has improved enough to allow safe access for local traffic from 1.30PM,” Commander Elmer said.
“There are still significant safety factors to consider, so police roadblocks will remain in place on Dolphin Sands Road to ensure access is only provided to local residents.
“Reduced speed limits will apply, and we urge people to drive with caution.
“We ask anyone who does not need to be in the area to stay away until further notice.
“Emergency services will be providing PPE to those people who need to return to the area, as well as information packs and guidance for the recovery and clean-up process.
“Dolphin Sands property owners unable to visit their properties can request updates regarding their property’s status.
“To do so, those owners should call the Tasmanian Emergency Information Service at 1800 667 483, provide their details, and they will be contacted with information about their property.”
The information line will be available from midday to 5pm today.
Commander Elmer thanked the community for their resilience and patience and commended those involved in the firefighting effort and keeping the community safe and informed.
Public Health Deputy Director Dr Scott McKeown reminded all Dolphin Sands residents to be alert to all hazards when returning home in the coming days.
“It’s important that people returning to their properties take steps to protect their health and safety. People should wear protective clothing and try not to disturb dust and ash. There may be hazardous materials present in it including asbestos. Residents should also be mindful of damaged assets like septic tanks and water tanks.”
The government will be providing assistance with the clean-up and more information is expected to be available in coming days.
South faces high fire danger
A high fire danger rating has been flagged across southern Tasmania leading to the Tasmania Fire Service initiating a Hot Day Response.
This comes after a devastating bushfire swept through Dolphin Sands, destroying 19 homes or shacks and still blocking out some residents from returning due to road closures.
TFS Deputy Chief Matt Lowe said the forecast indicated a high fire risk and urged the community to not light fires in the southern region under these conditions.
“A Hot Day Response doubles the initial brigade response to any fires that do occur, and strike teams are pre-positioned at key locations in the region,” Deputy Chief Lowe said.
“Aerial firefighting crews are on hand ready to respond and support ground crews.
“Additional crews from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service are also patrolling the East Coast in case of any new fire starts.”
He said the dual brigade responses would also be in force in the northern region as a precaution.
“While TFS has these measures in place, we also ask community members to take responsibility for keeping themselves and their neighbours safe,” he said.
“This responsibility extends to ensuring that any fires that have been lit in recent days and weeks are fully extinguished to ensure they don’t flare up and escape.
Deputy Chief Lowe urged the community to prepare and remain vigilant for any smoke or fires.
“If you do see a fire or smoke in the area today, report it straight away,” he said.
“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 Zero (000).”
Expert: Don’t blame BOM for bushfire tragedy
Dolphin Sands bushfire victims should resist the urge to blame the Weather Bureau for not issuing a timely warning, Tasmania’s leading fire expert says.
David Bowman a professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science at the University of Tasmania said while it was understandable people were upset, the Bureau of Meteorology should not be criticised for being slow to warn residents about the hazardous fire conditions.
Some distressed residents have complained about poor communication from emergency services, including slow and out of date online updates from the Bureau of Meteorology.
However Professor Bowman says it is “not the BOM’s responsibility” to save people from a bushfire.
“You need to have situational awareness about where you live,” he said.
“If you can see the wind picking up and fire, it’s time to start your emergency management plan.”
Originally published as St Helens bushfire downgraded to Watch and Act advice as community counts cost of blaze
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