Fire crews on high alert with three-day total fire ban in place as mercury soars

Twenty Tasmanian municipalities face a three-day fire ban with predictions of strong winds, low humidity and soaring temperatures.

A THREE-DAY total fire ban has been declared with a severe heatwave set to expose the eastern half of Tasmania to the same extreme conditions fanning flames interstate.

The ban, which applies to 20 municipalities, starts at 2am on Saturday morning and will continue until 2am Tuesday.

During the declaration period it is illegal to light or cause a fire in the open, including burn-offs, incinerators, campfires, fire pots and wood-fuelled barbecues.

“I know it’s going to be a popular camping weekend and we are conscious that people will be away in shacks and unfamiliar areas, so it’s really important that they take heed of the total fire ban,” Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol said today.

“Don’t ever think your small fire won’t cause any problems, all fires start small and can cause extreme devastation.

“All we have to do is look at our brothers and sisters on the mainland of Australia to see how dangerous the conditions are this summer.

“Now that we’re in our normal summer patterns we are exposed as much as our interstate counterparts.”

Senior firefighters, from left, Luke Mellers, Darren McGinniss and Jeremy Hughes, who are all remote area firefighters based in Hobart, are prepared for the upcoming bad fire weather st to hit Tasmania. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Firefighting crews will be on the ground at Falls Festival in Marion Bay from Sunday until Tuesday in case of an emergency.

The event is expected to attract more than 11,000 people, including many campers.

Currently no fires are at alert level but the Bureau of Meteorology warned the increasing heat would result in very high fire danger across inland Tasmania on Saturday and Sunday.

Monday will be the most dangerous day, with strong north-westerly winds, low relative humidity and temperatures approaching 40C in parts of the East and South-East.

Hobart is expected to reach a scorching top of 38C.

Scattered lightning is also expected to cross Tasmania during Monday evening and early Tuesday. Although the thunderstorms will likely be accompanied by 1-5mm of rainfall, new fire starts may be possible, especially where fuels are very dry.

Mr Arnol said 5101 volunteer firefighters were ready and willing to support communities across the state.

Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol says more than 5000 volunteer firefighters are ready to step up if needed. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

TFS remote area firefighters are also now available to battle blazes in hard-to-access environments, with their capability reinstated earlier this month.

Health and safety breaches last summer led to the branch being suspended from operations but retraining was conducted and significant safety improvements have been implemented.

The total fire ban applies to the Break O’Day, George Town, Northern Midlands, Dorset, Launceston, West Tamar, Flinders, Meander Valley, Brighton, Derwent Valley, Hobart, Sorell, Central Highlands, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Huon Valley, Southern Midlands, Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough, and Tasman municipalities.

More information on total fire bans and incidents in your area can be found at www.fire.tas.gov.au. Weather warnings are available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/