Uncontrolled bushfire threatens coastal town in state’s North-West

A bushfire warning for the North West has been downgraded as choppers and firefighters remain at the scene fighting the blaze which threatened homes just hours ago. LATEST >>

Monday 3pm:

A bushfire alert for Sisters Beach in North West Tasmania has been downgraded to a ‘Stay Informed’ warning after the blaze impacted local mobile phone networks earlier today.

Tasmania Fire Service said firefighters and crews from the Wildlife Service still remain at the scene as the fire travels slowly East towards the Lake Llewellyn area.

Bushfire burns at Sisters Beach. Picture: Jaylen Duniam.

Tascor Farming Group told the Mercury a number of choppers are still fighting the blaze as conditions begin to ease.

“Just had a nice shower come through which will help” they said.

“Its really not been at terrifying as the township has made,”

Bushfire burns at Sisters Beach. Picture: Jaylen Duniam.

“It was always heading over the hills not toward the town. Its a great time for a fuel reduction burn to happen.”

The owners of local beach shack Sisters Beach Stays also took to Facebook yesterday to update the community on the situation yesterday afternoon.

“Things have been a bit hectic down at Sisters over the past 24hrs.”

“5 choppers flying overhead feels very surreal,”

“With a week of dry, warm winds ahead, we need to stay vigilant.”

Monday Midday:

Tasmania Fire Service crews continue to fight a blaze at Sisters Beach which has been burning since Saturday afternoon.

A Watch and Act was issued this morning for the Lake Llewellyn area as the after the Eastern flank move east overnight. Residents of Lake Llewellyn are urged to monitor conditions as they may change.

“An Advice message remains in place for Sisters Beach including - Banksia Ave, Serrata Crescent, Irbys Circus; and a Smoke Alert remains in place for Rocky Cape encouraging the public to stay informed,” the TFS warns

“An Advice message also remains in place for Whites Road, Sisters Creek as the fire has travelled in a South Westerly direction towards the Bass Highway.”

TFS maps show the extent of the fire in Tasmania's North West. Picture: TFS

TFS and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service fire crews, supported by aircraft, are continuing to establish and reinforce control lines around the fire.

“Fire crews continue working hard to contain the fire with a focus on the Eastern flank which is moving toward the Lake Llewellyn area,” Incident Controller Nic Deka said.

“We will have fire crews on the ground and residents are urged to remain vigilant as conditions can change quickly”.

Mr Deka said mobile phone network at Sisters Beach remains limited but Telstra is working to repair the damage as soon as possible.

“Bushwalking tracks around Rocky Cape National Park are closed, and people are advised not to enter the area,” he said.

A community meeting will be held at 6pm tonight at the Sisters Beach Fire Station to update residents on the current situation.

Further information will be provided once available.

Monday 9am:

A Watch and Act message has been reissued for the Lake Llewellyn area of Sisters Beach in Tasmania’s North West with authorities saying the fire may be “difficult to control”.

“This fire may impact the Lake Llewellyn area later today,” a statement from TFS said.

“The fire is travelling East, towards the Lake Llewellyn area. The fire is expected to be difficult to control.”

“Embers, smoke and ash may fall on the Lake Llewellyn area.”

TFS and Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service are attending.

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.
• If you have made a bushfire plan, check it now.
• If you don’t live near the Lake Llewellyn area of Sisters Beach, stay away.

For fire updates, listen to ABC Local Radio or visit the TFS website at fire.tas.gov.au.

Sunday 4.13pm: Authorities have lowered their watch and act alert to advice level for Sisters Beach and Lake Llewellyn amid a bushfire in the North-West.

There is no immediate threat to people in the Sisters Beach and Lake Llewellyn area, Tasmania Fire Service has said.

“The fire is being controlled west of Lake Llewellyn as it slowly moves East,” a TFS spokeswoman said.

Alerts have seesawed between “watch and act” and “advice” categories several times during Sunday as the bushfire situation evolves.

The TFS reminded those in the area to check their bushfire plans.

“Well prepared homes are expected to be defendable in these conditions,” the TFS spokeswoman said.

“Monitor conditions, and if they get more dangerous and you are not well prepared, plan to go to a safer place.”

More information at fire.tas.gov.au

Sunday 2.06pm: Authorities have issued a watch and act alert amid a bushfire in the state’s North-West.

The Tasmania Fire Service said the fire may impact Sisters Beach and Lake Llewellyn later on Sunday.

“The fire is travelling east, towards Lake Llewellyn area,” a spokeswoman said.

“The fire is expected to be difficult to control.

“Embers, smoke and ash may fall on Sisters Beach – Lake Llewellyn.”

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and the TFS are attending the fire.

“Conditions are expected to worsen.”

The advice from TFS for people in the impacted areas was to take action now.

“If you are not prepared for a bushfire, be ready to leave for a safer place,” a TFS spokeswoman said.

“If you have made a bushfire plan, check it now.

“If you don’t live near Sisters Beach – Lake Llewellyn, stay away.”

More information at fire.tas.gov.au

Sunday 11.50am: A watch and act alert for a bushfire in the state’s North-West has been downgraded to advice level.

The Tasmania Fire Service said there is no immediate threat from the fire near Sisters Beach.

Fire crews and Parks and Wildlife Service personnel are on the scene assessing the fire situation from overnight.

The TFS said conditions are expected to improve.

More info at fire.tas.gov.au

Saturday, 7pm: A watch and act alert is in place for Sisters Beach, in the state’s North-West, with an uncontrolled bushfire burning at Sisters Beach Road.

The Tasmania Fire Service said the fire was travelling northwest towards Banksia Ave and that ember, smoke and ash may fall in the area and threaten homes before the main fire arrives.

The TFS said conditions were expected to worsen.

What to do:

– If you have prepared your home and can actively defend it, it should provide shelter.

– If you are going to leave, make sure you have a clear path to safety.

– Use your bushfire plan if you have one.

– Avoid the area if you do not live near Sisters Beach as roads could be dangerous

Keep up to date with the latest on the fire at www.fire.tas.gov.au/a/88848