Fire danger pushed to ‘extreme’ in parts of Tasmania, fire chief warns

People in bushland have been advised to relocate to urban areas and campers asked to reconsider their plans due to the threat of fire.

EVEN homes built to the most modern standards could be indefensible as the forecast pushes the fire danger to “extreme” in parts of Tasmania on Monday, the state’s fire chief has warned.

People in bushland have been advised to relocate to urban areas for the day, and campers asked to reconsider their plans.

DECEMBER’S HOTTEST DAY SINCE 1897

FIRES CAUSED BY DRY LIGHTNING STRIKES BURNING IN TASMANIA

Temperatures reaching 40C, strong gusty winds and low humidity will lead to extreme fire danger ratings for the South-East and Upper Derwent Valley districts.

Severe ratings are forecast for the Midlands, East Coast and Furneaux Islands, with very high elsewhere, excluding the North-West.

THE FIRE DANGER RATING HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO EXTREME

Tasmania Fire Service crews and aircraft will be pre-positioned, including at Falls Festival in Marion Bay.

A total fire ban declared for the eastern half of the state at 2am Saturday will continue until 2am Tuesday.

TFS chief officer Chris Arnol yesterday urged everyone to be prepared for the challenging conditions, which have not been seen since the devastating Dunalley fires.

TFS chief officer Chris Arnol. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It’s a very dangerous day, reminiscent of 2013 when we had those extreme fire dangers in the South-East” he said.

“Although Tasmania’s fire agencies are well prepared with resources pre-positioned at high- risk locations, bushfires in these conditions are extremely difficult to control.

“People can’t expect to see a fire truck in every driveway and an aircraft above every house.

“If you live in a bushfire prone area and you have a bushfire survival plan you should review that now.

“We will not put firefighters’ lives at risk to defend the undefendable.”

Mr Arnol said Falls Festival had well-practised emergency procedures and bushfire mitigation measures in place.

“TFS and partner agencies are at the highest level of readiness to ensure there is a multi-agency response to any fires that do start,” he said.

DUNALLEY’S SCARS RUN DEEP

Bureau of Meteorology state manager Simon McCulloch said temperatures would drop “significantly” into the low-to-mid 20s about the eastern half of Tasmania tomorrow. But scattered lightning with little rain is expected to cross the state from tonight, increasing the risk of new fire starts.

“This is very much a one-off day, we’ve been building up to this,” Mr McCulloch said.

“Cooler conditions are likely through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The next hot day on the horizon looks to be Saturday.”

Any smoke or fire sightings should be reported to TFS immediately on triple-0.