Tasmania Fire Service reminds people to remain vigilant ahead of challenging weather conditions

The emergency warning for Interlaken and Lake Crescent has been downgraded to a watch and act alert as an uncontrolled bushfire continues to rage near Bothwell.

Firefighters were still dealing with 20 active blazes statewide as of 5pm on Thursday night — 12 going and eight in patrol.

FINAL UPDATE — 9PM: The emergency warning for Interlaken and Lake Crescent has been downgraded to a watch and act alert as an uncontrolled bushfire continues to rage near Bothwell.

Firefighters were withdrawn from the blaze, which is more than 236ha in size, just before 8pm as it was no longer considered safe to continue operations in the dark.

The Tasmania Fire Service issued several emergency warnings for Interlaken and Lake Crescent telling people the safest thing to do was leave well before the fire hits.

The alert level was downgraded to a watch and act at 8.30pm.

“This fire may put Interlaken and Lake Crescent, south of Interlaken Road, at high risk within 2-6 hours,” the message reads.

“Embers, smoke and ash falling on Interlaken and Lake Crescent could threaten your home earlier than the main fire.

“Fire under these conditions can be uncontrollable. There will be no fire crews in the area overnight, as it is unsafe.”

6PM: There is an uncontrolled bushfire at Dennistoun Road, Bothwell.

The fire is expected to put Interlaken and Lake Crescent at risk within 2-6 hours.

“The fire danger will be very high. Fire under these conditions will be uncontrollable and fast moving,” the emergency warning issued reads.

“Embers, smoke and ash falling on Interlaken and Lake Crescent (south of Interlaken Road) could threaten your home earlier than the main fire.

“The safest thing to do is leave well before the fire hits.

“Only strongly defended homes, made to be bushfire proof in very high conditions, can protect your life.”

There is no evacuation centre at present.

5.30PM: An emergency warning is current for the Black Snake area, between Black Snake Creek and Soldiers Creek.

A small number of shacks located in the area were checked by Tasmania Police and fire crews and it is understood there is no one in the area.

If anyone is in the area they are encouraged to leave if safe to do so.

3.30PM: The 142ha Bluff Rd fire at Elderslie and 230ha Glen Fern Rd fire near Lachlan in the Derwent Valley remain at advice level.

Both blazes are uncontrolled and uncontained.

The bushfire advice message for Yearsley Road, Grahams Creek Road, Storeys Road, Church Road and Broadmarsh was last updated at 3.16pm.

Tasmania Fire Service personnel at Lachlan Fire Station. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“There is a bushfire at Bluff Road, Elderslie. There is no immediate threat,” it reads.

“We are expecting to see an increase in fire activity throughout the day.

“You will see smoke and possibly flames in the area.”

The message for Moss Beds Road, Top Swamp Road and surrounding areas at Lachlan was last updated at 3.19pm and warns fire under the expected weather conditions can be difficult to control.

“With today and tomorrow’s forecast fire weather leaving early is the safest option. If this fire spreads, properties could come under threat and there may not be time to leave.,” it reads.

2.55PM: A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for Black Snake shacks, about 25km north of Bothwell.

Black Snake, specifically in the area between Soldiers Creek and Black Snake Creek, is at very high risk now.

“This fire will be uncontrollable,” the warning alert reads.

“Burning embers, falling on Black Snake shacks, south of Interlaken Road, will threaten your home before the main fire.

“Smoke and ash will make it difficult to see and breathe.”

There is no evacuation centre or nearby safer place at present.

2.30PM: An out-of-control bushfire at Black Snake Shacks, about 25km north of Bothwell, has prompted the Tasmania Fire Service to issue a watch and act alert.

The message warns the fire may put Black Snake Shacks, in the area south of Interlaken Road, at very high risk.

“There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Black Snake Shacks and threaten your home earlier than the main fire,” it reads.

“Fire under these conditions can be uncontrollable.”

TFS DECLARES A TOTAL FIRE BAN WITH STATE SET FOR A SCORCHER

The blaze was first reported on Tuesday night.

Those with a bushfire survival plan should activate it now.

Drivers who don’t live near Black Snake Shacks are asked to stay away as the roads could be very dangerous.

12.15PM: The Tasmania Fire Service is reminding people to remain vigilant ahead of challenging weather conditions expected to arrive this afternoon.

Firefighters are currently battling 20 active fires, 11 of which are going and nine of which are being patrolled.

State Fire Controller Shane Batt. Picture: Zak Simmonds

In the South, the 142ha Bluff Rd fire at Elderslie and 230ha Glen Fern Rd fire near Lachlan in the Derwent Valley remain at advice level. Both blazes are uncontrolled and uncontained.

State Fire Controller Shane Batt this morning warned leaving when fire conditions worsen will be too late.

“A community meeting was held at the Lachlan Community Hall last night for people from Glen Fern and Lachlan affected by the Glen Fern Road fire,” he said.

“Our advice to over 100 residents who attended was that if they are not prepared to actively defend their properties, they should leave early.”

Mr Batt said people in the Greater Hobart area should expect some smoke impact from the Bluff Road fire this afternoon when the wind picks up.

“The southern boundary remains uncontrolled and aircraft are working this morning to keep that fire as small as possible, given there is no way for ground crews to access it,” he said.

“Strike teams and aircraft have been positioned at strategic locations across the region to allow for a rapid response to any new fires that start.”

Any new fires should be reported immediately to triple-0 to allow crews to respond quickly.

“In the southern region there is a total fire ban in place for the next two days which means it is illegal to light any fire in the open,” Mr Batt said.

“People should also consider their need to use equipment such as lawnmowers, slashers and anything that may cause a spark because anyone who does start a fire, no matter if it was accidental or deliberate, will be held responsible for that fire.”

11.45AM: Firefighters battling two out-of-control bushfires in the state’s South are gearing up for a warm and windy day.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a fire weather warning for the Midlands, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

Bureau of Meteorology state manager Simon McCulloch said fresh north-westerly winds during today and tomorrow would push temperatures up into the high 20s and low 30s across Tasmania.

“Coupled with relatively low humidity, we’re expecting very high fire dangers about parts of the state at the South and East for both Thursday and Friday,” he said.

“The winds are picking up … in the order of around about 40-50km/h mark.

“These north-westerly winds are ahead of a front which looks to be crossing on Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning.

“That feature does end this little warm spell, there’s quite a bit of rain associated with it.”

Simon McCulloch addresses the media. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A bushfire at Lachlan in the Derwent Valley and another on Bluff Road at Elderslie remained at the lowest alert level this morning.

Another blaze at Lefroy in the state’s North was downgraded to no advice level overnight.

It has been contained and crews will remain in the area patrolling that fire today.

A total fire ban will run from 2am today until 2am on Saturday in the Brighton, Derwent Valley, Hobart, Sorell, Central Highlands, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Huon Valley, Southern Midlands, Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Tasman municipalities.

An increase in escaped private hazard reduction burns over the past fortnight also prompted the Tasmania Fire Service to put in place a statewide fire permit period from Thursday until the end of the bushfire season.

For information on how to obtain a fire permit, call 1800 000 699 or visit www.fire.tas.gov.au