A vegetation fire at Port Latta continues to impact small North-West towns, but highway reopens

The Bass Highway has reopened to traffic this morning following a fire at Port Latta, which shut the road down — however the threat hasn’t disappeared. The latest.

Tasmania Fire Service medium tanker. TFS. Fire. Generic. Picture: PATRICK GEE

1.03pm: The bushfire at Port Latta has been downgraded with crews extinguishing potential hot spots overnight.

Severe weather conditions resulted in the blaze breaking the containment lines yesterday afternoon triggering an emergency warning for Crayfish Creek.

That was downgraded to watch and act about 9pm and has since moved to advice level.

Tasmania Fire Service district officer Dean Graue said crews had monitored the fire all night.

“Tasmanians are requested to avoid the area, drive safe and monitor conditions as they are changing,” he said.

“Air operations will be assisting crews throughout the day.”

Gusty conditions had grounded waterbombing aircraft yesterday.

March 4, 8.20am: Traffic is slowly flowing through small, bushfire-hit towns in Tasmania’s North-West after a vegetation fire became out of control at Port Latta yesterday.

Police say the speed limit has been reduced to 40km/h because of high levels of smoke and reduced visibility.

Crayfish Caravan Park, which was evacuated due to the blaze, remained closed overnight and will be re-assessed sometime this morning.

The most recent advice for the area, which covers Edgcumbe Beach to Cowrie Point, Crayfish Creek Caravan Park is to monitor conditions as they are changing.

Police said last night about 9pm that no injuries to persons or damage/loss to property had been reported.

Meanwhile, a bushfire in the south at Mount Rumney was downgraded to an advice warning to monitor conditions. No further updates have been made since 9.23pm.

March 3, 4.52pm: Firefighters are battling a bushfire heading towards Mount Rumney.

A bushfire warning has been triggered with people in the area advised to stay informed.

TasAlert says there’s no immediate threat.

3pm: The bushfire burning at Port Latta could put further communities at risk.

A watch and act message urging people to leave Edgcumbe Beach is now in place.

The fire is set to put the area at extreme risk within the next 3-4 hours with the blaze travelling towards Edgcumbe Beach.

“Embers, smoke, and ash may fall on Edgcumbe Beach and Surrounds and threaten you and your home before the main fire arrives.”

Out of control fire at Port Latta on Tasmania's North-West Coast. March 3, 2024. Picture: Supplied

2.50pm: An emergency warning is in place for a bushfire burning on the North-West Coast, which is inaccessible to waterbombing aircraft due to gusty conditions.

Tasmanian Fire Service district officer Dean Graue said Tasmania Fire Service crews were actively responding to a bushfire at Port Latta with a bushfire emergency warning now in pace for Crayfish Creek.

He confirmed the Crayfish Creek Caravan Park had been evacuated and an evacuation centre set up at Rocky Cape Community Hall, 19074 Bass Hwy, Rocky Cape.

“Due to severe wind gusts, aircraft are unable to fly until safe, but ground crews are actively working to bring the bushfire under control,” he said.

“Due to the location of the fire, police have closed the Bass Highway to all traffic in both directions between Mawbanna Road and Loosemores Road and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.”

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts strong winds will peak later this afternoon before reducing this evening.

“It is imperative people keep up to date with information to keep safe.”

2.30pm: A bushfire warning has been increased for an out of control blaze near Crayfish Creek, Amaroo Drive and surrounds.

People who live there have been told to leave immediately.

TasAlert expected an extreme risk to those areas in the next hour.

The fire is travelling towards Crayfish Creek and Amaroo Drive.

“Burning embers may threaten your home before the main fire arrives. Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe,” the warning said.

Initial: A North-West community has been told to prepare to leave after a vegetation fire ignited at Pipeline Rd, Port Latta.

The watch and act message is for Crayfish Creek and surrounding areas with the blaze expected to impact the area in an hours time.

TasAlert says the blaze travelling towards Crayfish Creek is expected to be difficult to control with changeable conditions.

“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.”

Embers, smoke and ash may fall on the area as Tasmania Fire Service is on the scene responding to the situation.

Police, who are also at the incident, have closed the Bass Highway near Pipeline Rd.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area.