High temperatures and northerly winds to elevate bushfire danger

UPDATED: A total fire ban for Friday is “highly likely” with temperatures predicted in the high 30s, as police say a Christmas Eve fire on Bruny Island was deliberately lit.

High temperatures and northerly winds will elevate fire danger in Tasmania’s East and South-East on Friday.

EXTREME fire danger could be reached in parts of the South-East on Friday where temperatures are expected to hit the mid to high 30s on Friday.

Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Bruce Byatt said a total fire ban for Northern and Southern Tasmania on Friday was “highly likely”.

“We’re expecting a rather hot and windy day on Friday with the fire weather being at its worst,” Mr Byatt said.

If a fire ban is declared, it will be declared on Thursday.

The fire service is urging Tasmanians to reconsider their need to use fire until Saturday, and to practise their bushfire survival plans.

“With expected very high and severe fire danger ratings across the North and the South of the state, we are asking for the community’s assistance by avoiding the use of fire in the open until this weekend,” Mr Byatt said.

“This includes fires under a cubic metre which don’t need a permit.

“We also need landowners to check any fires they may have lit in the last month to ensure they are completely extinguished and have no hot spots.”

Firefighters and residents control a burn at Coal Point on Bruny Island. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

Mr Byatt said fire crews would hit fires “hard and fast”, with firefighting aircraft on the front line.

A number of fires are continuing to burn across the state and Mr Byatt said Friday’s conditions would likely increase the size of those fires.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Luke Johnston said a high pressure system would move over the Tasman Sea on Thursday and would bring some of the hot air over mainland Australia to Tasmania.

“As it sits there on Friday it’s going to bring down some of the warmest air before a cooler change arrives to cool us down a bit later on Friday,” Mr Johnston said.

“We’re talking about seeing temperatures [on Friday] well into the mid-30s about parts of the South-East. Hobart could reach at least 35 degrees.”

We continue with beautiful days in #Hobart for the Taste of #Tas, max temp today 24°, Thursday 28°, then a whopping 35° on Friday. #slipslopslap throw on a hat, UV's are EXTREME!! 😎 #SunSmart

— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) January 1, 2019

Mr Johnston said inland towns could expect higher maximums.

“Including 37 degrees at Campania and New Norfolk, or 36 degrees in Bothwell and Huonville,” he said.

“The hot weather is going to elevate our fire dangers in the East and South-East of Tasmania.”

The fire danger is forecast to reach very high in the East on Friday, increasing to severe in the upper Derwent Valley and South-East forecast districts.

The bureau said extreme fire danger, the second-highest rating, could be reached in parts of the South-East, depending on the timing of the cooler change.

Thursday’s maximum temperature is expected to be 28C in Hobart and Launceston and 22C in Burnie.

Firefighters and residents control a burn at Coal Point on Bruny Island. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

Two bushfires burning in Tasmania — one at Cluny Dam at Ouse and one at Conleys Point, on south Bruny Island — remain at advice level.

There is no immediate threat to property but people in both areas should keep up to date with the latest fire information from the Tasmania Fire Service or from ABC local radio.

Tasmania Police is investigating the Conleys Point fire, which they say was deliberately lit on Christmas Eve and has caused more than $300,000 worth of damage across three properties.

Kingston CIB and uniform police on Bruny Island will be investigating further.

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.

The Parks and Wildlife Service has closed walking tracks near Lake Rhona in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park due to a bushfire at Gell River.

The fire service said the fire became active again late on Monday afternoon in strong winds and has now burnt about 2000ha.