Dolphin Sands, Tasmania fire: Latest fire warnings, updates and news
Tasmania Fire Service says they are finally on top of a bushfire that burnt approximately 240ha in the space of a day and a half. | FREE READ, LATEST UPDATES AND WARNINGS.
November 14, 5:10pm
Dolphin Sands Road is now open to the public, after the bushfire was contained.
Tasmania Fire Service says there is no immediate threat and crews are now patrolling.
Conditions are expected to improve.
November 14, 2.30pm: Tasmania Fire Service say they have finally broken the back of a significant bushfire on the state’s East Coast.
TFS incident controller Stuart Males told the Mercury at 2pm that there was “no active moving fire,” although crews were still dealing with ‘hot spots’.
Mr Males said approximately 30 firefighters remained at the scene, aided by two waterbombing helicopters and an excavator.
“It hasn’t broken any containment lines since [Monday], which is great,” he said.
Mr Males said approximately 240ha had burnt since the fire sparked at 6pm Sunday, with the perimeter reaching 7.6km.
“Our view at this stage is that things are looking very favourable for scaling right back and handing it back to the local district to manage,” he said.
Mr Males said that call would be made at approximately 7pm Tuesday.
At 2.05pm, a TasALERT notice advised that the threat level was reduced.
“There is no immediate threat. The fire is contained,” the alert read.
“Tasmania Fire Service crews are patrolling. Conditions are expected to improve.
“Dolphin Sands Rd remains closed due to emergency services vehicles and ongoing work in the area.”
Dolphin Sands fire: Property toll grows as warning downgraded
November 14, 8.30am: The Dolphin Sands bushfire has been downgraded to watch and act amid an improving outlook for the sleepy peninsula, with power restored and fresh Tasmania Fire Service crews taking up the fight.
The bushfire, which sparked at 6pm Sunday before being upgraded to an emergency just after 8pm, was downgraded on Monday at 5.30pm and watch and act.
TFS operations officer Kier Wilson said the fire was patrolled overnight, with favourable wind conditions occurring on Tuesday morning.
“[On Monday] we had ground crews with 15 trucks working to bring the fire under control, supported by five aircraft and two dozers,” he said.
“Today, fresh crews are being deployed as we continue to work to make the area safe.
“At this stage Dolphin Sands Rd remains closed from near the intersection with Yellow Sandbanks Rd.”
“Impact assessment teams have confirmed that two houses, two sheds and one car have been destroyed, with others impacted and some powerlines down.”
“Power was reinstated in the area yesterday evening, and the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.”
Dolphin Sands fire: Blaze ‘still uncontrolled’
November 13, 4.10pm: Dolphin Sands residents still face an uncertain outlook, with 186ha currently alight, a community meeting has heard.
Tasmania Fire Service East Coast acting district manager Aaron Blizzard and Tasmania Police East Coast inspector John Cooper addressed a group of 30 residents at 3pm at the intersection of Dolphin Sands Rd and Cambria Drive.
Mr Blizzard told residents the 186ha fire was “still uncontrolled”.
About 50 firefighters from across the state, supported by five aerial units and Parks and Wildlife Service officers, continued to battle the blaze.
Two dozers were working “well in front” of the fire to create containment lines, he said.
Mr Blizzard said significant preventive measures were also under way at Swanwick to prevent the fire jumping the Swan River.
He said TFS were yet to determine the cause of the fire or quantify the damage.
It has previously been reported that two houses and a shed have fallen victim.
Mr Blizzard said crews would work into the late afternoon before a night rotation took over.
He said a difficulty for fire crews had been the tinder-try coastal beard-heath and boobialla that features extensively at Dolphin Sands.
“It burns quick and throws embers around,” he said.
“The big challenge is it creates spot fires ahead of the fire.”
The sandy soil of Dolphin Sands also meant it retained little moisture to assist in slowing the spread.
Inspector Cooper said the “main fire” was currently burning on the northern side of Dolphin Sands Rd, near Yellow Sandbanks Rd.
“[However] a wind change is causing it to go back towards the water going south. Earlier on today it was travelling due west,” he said.
“A few people have remained behind. The majority of houses are empty or people have previously left.
“It’s really up to you whether you stay or leave.”
TFS in a statement this afternoon said fire crews would continue to bring the fire under control.
TFS incident controller Scott Vinen said while the fire had initially been downgraded this morning, weather conditions in the afternoon had fuelled the fire.
“Fire investigators have been at the scene today to investigate the cause of the fire and impact assessment teams are working to determine what other structures may have been impacted,” he said.
“Dolphin Sands Road is currently closed from about number 798 and will remain closed until it is safe.”
Nineteen people have accessed the evacuation centre at Swansea Town Hall, with all finding alternative accommodation.
November 13, 1.38pm: Those in the vicinity of Yellow Sandbanks Rd have been urged to leave immediately in the latest bushfire emergency warning issued.
The bushfire emergency warning was issued for Yellow Sandbanks Rd, Dolphin Sands at 1.31pm.
“There is a bushfire near Yellow Sandbanks Rd, Dolphin Sands that is out of control,” TasAlert wrote.
“Yellow Sandbanks Road, Dolphin Sands is expected to be at risk as early as now.
“The fire is travelling towards Westerly direction on Dolphin Sands Road, Dolphin Sands.”
Embers may threaten structures and homes before the main fire arrives, and smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe.
Tasmania Fire Service is expecting conditions to worsen.
What to do:
If your home is built using contemporary bushfire design standards, is well prepared and you can actively defend it, it may provide shelter.
If your home is unprepared, go to a safer location now only if the path is clear.
There is a nearby safer place at Swansea Recreation Ground - Swansea.
There is an Evacuation Centre at Swansea Town Hall - 12 FRANKLIN ST SWANSEA TAS 7190
If you have made a bushfire plan, use it now.
If you don’t live near Yellow Sandbanks Road, Dolphin Sands, stay away.
For fire updates, listen to ABC Local Radio or visit tasalert.com
Earlier: TFS senior station officer Bill Coad, who is the Dolphin Sands bushfire’s safety officer, said officers were currently “trying to get a fire break between the front and dwellings before the sea breeze comes in”.
“The fire will change direction then,” he said.
Mr Coad said the firefront was currently to the west of where the majority of dwellings are.
He said incident control has received and dispatched an additional “strike team” from Cambridge to help battle the ongoing blazes.
Mr Coad said he expected the blaze to remain active for several days.
November 13, 12.40pm: Council officers staffing the Swansea Evacuation Centre in the town hall have been instructed to remain open amid a worsening fire outlook for Dolphin Sands.
Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council compliance officer Jason Arnol, one of two manning the centre, said they had been preparing to close but were recently instructed by Tasmania SES to stay open for at least another two to four hours.
He said Tasmania Fire Service officers were anxious about forecast strong north-easterly winds this afternoon.
“It can potentially push the fire around the beach edge where it hasn’t burnt,” Mr Arnol said.
“It’s starting to ramp up at Bagot Point.”
Mr Arnol said TFS had recently dispatched its Huon Valley tactical unit to join the fight.
He said approximately 25 residents used the evacuation centre on Sunday night.
“About four or five came in at 11pm, then another 20 at 4am,” Mr Arnol said.
It’s understood the latter group were the ones convoyed from Bagot Point.
Tasmania Fire Service address media about fire, conditions
November 13, 11am: Tasmania Fire Service say the bushfire was sparked at around 6pm on Sunday night, quickly escalating to a watch and act warning after 8pm and then an emergency warning in a matter of minutes.
Tasmania Fire Service acting chief officer Jeremy Smith said the fire, which has so far burned through 120 hectares, was contained, but difficult to fully extinguish.
“We’ve got crews continuing to fight that fire on the East Coast, the warning is now at watch and act – that was downgraded at 6:30 this morning,” Mr Smith said.
“We have aerial assets assigned to the fire looking at water bombing and ensuring all the intel is gathered.
“Yesterday’s weather, it wasn’t extreme or even high fire danger rating, it was a wind driven event … it soon went into the emergency warning status.”
So far there’s been one injury reported; a first responder is currently being assessed at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
As the mop up continues, it’s expected other structures would be impacted, but not destroyed.
There were more than 30 people who were forced to flee their homes, as the blaze raged through the night.
“We had approximately 25 people on the east point there at Bagot Point, they had a police officer with them,” he said.
“We believe there were seven people at the [evacuation] centre at Swansea being given immediate care as the fire kicked off.
The cause of the bushfire is still under investigation.
Mr Smith warned Tasmanians needed to be prepared for unexpected bushfires.
Meanwhile he said there was no problems with messaging, after information about the blaze was only provided 2 hours after it started.
At that point the situation had already escalated.
“It’s an area is about 30km or 25km away from the fire station, we need to get crews on the ground to assess the situation then provide that information back so we can get warnings out,” Mr Smith said.
November 13, 9.50am: A community meeting with representatives from Tasmania Fire Service will be held this afternoon for Dolphin Sands residents, as a bushfire continues to burn.
The meeting will begin at 3pm today at the corner of Dolphin Sands Rd and Cambria Drive.
For more information, contact the bushfire Information hotline on 1800 000 699 or go to the TasAlert website.
Earlier, 8.15am: Tasmania Fire Service has confirmed that properties have been destroyed in the Dolphin Sands fire overnight.
There are no reports of injuries to members of the public as a result of the fire, however, one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, TFS said in a statement.
Two houses and one shed have been destroyed, however, it’s expected that several others have been impacted by the fire, which covers an area of approximately 112 hectares.
“This morning a comprehensive impact assessment of all properties in the affected area will be undertaken as a priority. Overnight, Tasmania Police deployed drones to assist with the assessments,” the statement read.
“The fire was reported at 6pm [Sunday] night and moved rapidly in the strong winds. The weather moderated overnight, which assisted with slowing the spread of the fire.
“However, the fire is not yet under control and firefighting continued overnight with 14 fire trucks and 30 career and volunteer firefighters battling the blaze.”
Powerlines are down on Dolphin Sands Rd.
Dolphin Sands Rd is closed at Yellow Sandbanks Rd, and will remain closed until it is safe. “Every effort is being made to allow property owners to return to the area as soon as possible,” TFS said.
“A total of 24 people who gathered at the Dolphin Sands boat ramp at the end of the spit have been safely escorted from the area a short time ago. Tasmania Police remained with the group throughout the night.”
An evacuation centre has been established at Swansea Town Hall for those who had already left the area, and seven people presented there.
.@tasfireservice has issued a Bushfire Watch and Act - Dolphin Sands Road south of Yellow Sand Banks Road, Dolphin Sands - Avoid the area For more information, go to https://t.co/j2taquUZFJ or listen to ABC Local Radio. pic.twitter.com/ZoydjdJeBK
— TasALERT (@tasalert) November 12, 2023
Weather conditions impacting the fire will be moderate overnight, before increasing again during the day.
Overnight crews are now being rested, with fresh crews being deployed today.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
LATEST WARNING
Bushfire watch and act - Dolphin Sands Rd, east of Yellow Sand Banks Rd, prepare to Leave:
- The fire was progressing towards Bagot Point, however current conditions have allowed the fire to be controlled
- Embers, smoke and ash may fall on Dolphin Sands Rd, east of Yellow Sand Banks Rd, Dolphin Sands
- Tasmania Fire Service is attending, conditions are expected to improve
What to do:
- Take action now to protect yourself, your family and your home
- If you are not prepared for a bushfire, be ready to leave for a safer place
- There is a nearby safer place at Swansea Recreation Ground (this is for people that have left the area before Dolphin Sands was impeded)
- There is an Evacuation centre at the Swansea Town Hall, at 12 Franklin St (this is for people who have left the area before Dolphin Sands was impeded)
- If you have made a bushfire plan, check it now
- If you don’t live near Dolphin Sands Rd, east of Yellow Sandbanks Rd, Dolphin Sands, stay away
- For fire updates listen to ABC local radio or visit TasALERT.
‘Too late to leave’: Emergency bushfire warning for Dolphin Sands
November 12, 9pm: Fire crews are still working to extinguish an “unpredictable” blaze, burning out of control at Dolphin Sands.
A Tasmania Fire Service spokesperson said the blaze, burning at an emergency level, started at 6pm on Sunday and spread rapidly after being affected by strong winds.
It is not yet known what sparked the blaze.
Authorities say the fire is moving in an easterly direction on Dolphin Sands Road, and have warned powerlines along the road are down.
The Swansea Town Hall is being used as an evacuation centre for anyone who been forced to leave their home.
Meanwhile a second warning has been issued, this time an advice level for River and Rocks Road, Coles Bay to Swanwick and surrounds.
Those in the area are urged to monitor conditions as the fire travels towards the end of the Dolphin Sands Spit.
Earlier: Dolphin Sands residents are urged to take shelter after an emergency bushfire warning was issued for the East Coast town of Dolphin Sands, after 8pm.
The Tasmania Fire Service says it’s too late to leave, as the out of control fire travels in a north-easterly direction on Dolphin Sands Road.
Fire crews are attending the scene to work to extinguish the blaze, but authorities say conditions are expected to worsen.
The TFS says burning embers may threaten homes before the main fire arrives, and smoke and ash might make it difficult to see.
– The TFS says homes built using contemporary bushfire design standards may provide shelter, but those with unprepared homes are urged to go to a safer location if the path is clear.
More Coverage
– There is a nearby safer place at the Swansea Recreation Ground.
– Those with bushfire plans are advised to use their plans
– Those who do not live in Dolphin Sands are urged to stay away.
Originally published as Dolphin Sands, Tasmania fire: Latest fire warnings, updates and news
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