Parks and Wildlife Service extends campfire ban statewide until further notice

A CAMPFIRE ban has been extended statewide until further notice in Tasmanian national parks and reserves, and some tracks are closed because of heightened bushfire risk.

A CAMPFIRE ban has been extended statewide until further notice in Tasmanian national parks and reserves, and some tracks are closed because of heightened bushfire risk.

Parks and Wildlife Service operations director Mark Bryce said campfires, pot stoves and other solid fuel stoves cannot be used in any national park or reserve in the state.

“In the current dry conditions, campfires can easily escape, spread rapidly, are difficult to control, and threaten people in campgrounds and nearby communities,” Mr Bryce said.

Gas stoves and barbecues are still able to be used.

Mr Bryce said the Hartz Peak Track in the Hartz Mountains National Park had been closed until further notice due to increased fire risk.

Mr Bryce said staff would be checking log books to see how many people were out on the track and would arrange for their evacuation in required.

“Other tracks in the parks may be closed in the near future,” Mr Bryce said.

“Visitors are asked to adjust their plans accordingly.”

MORE FIRE NEWS:

EMERGENCY WARNING ISSUED FOR MIENA AND TAHUNE

Mr Bryce said fires in hot, dry and windy conditions could travel very fast and he asked walkers to use logbooks to record their journey and intended route.

A full list of track, road and area closures, including campground closures, is available from the Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Information about fires currently burning is available from the Tasmania Fire Service website.