Firefighters’ top priority to protect our homes

Fire crews from across southern Tasmania swamped Geeveston to help protect the town from ember attack.

TFS district officer Stuart Males, right, during a briefing at Geeveston. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

FIRE crews from across southern Tasmania swamped Geeveston yesterday to help protect the town from ember attack.

The unpredictable day, which had several wind changes, finished with a substantial afternoon shower through a thick blanket of smoke.

Conditions looked ominous early as temperatures soared and westerly winds pushed smoke towards the town.

An emergency warning for Castle Forbes Bay, Geeveston, Port Huon, Cairns Bay and Waterloo was issued during the morning and remained in place for the rest of the day.

A watch and act alert was also issued for Surges Bay, Brooks Bay, Glendevie, Police Point, Surveyors Bay, Dover, Glaziers Bay, Wattle Grove, Petcheys Bay and Lymington.

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Smoke over Port Huon. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Tasmania Fire Service Geeveston taskforce leader Andrew Skelly said resources were pulled away from the Tahune fire front in thick bushland during the morning.

He said crews were waiting in the Geeveston area to protect lives and property.

“We’re more worried about new spot fires occurring from embers landing in and around the paddocks and closer to the township,” he said.

“If we do get a new start we’ll try and hit it with as many resources as we can, as quick as we can and hopefully put any new starts out.

“That’s why we’ve got these extra resources here.”

He said there had been no reports of embers falling in the town yet.

Firefighters recorded gusts of up to 45km/h outside the fire station. Around 3.30pm the wind changed again and pushed smoke back towards Geeveston.

Smoke clouds the sky over at Geeveston. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

TFS district officer Andrew McGuinness said people still needed to be alert to any changes that could occur.

He said the Tahune fire “behaved itself relatively well” yesterday.

He said a number of spot fires had started to the southern end, but it didn’t take a hard run.

He said the Huon Valley and Channel area would be smoke-logged for the foreseeable future.

Mr Skelly said Geeveston fire brigade had three crews on standby throughout the day and an extra eight crews had been brought in from across southern Tasmania in case spot fires flared up around the town.

Kevin and Sam Lawler joined the fight against the blaze at Geeveston. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Among those volunteering to protect Geeveston were a father and son duo from Middleton.

Ex-brigade chief and leading firefighter Kevin Lawler, and his son and current brigade chief Sam, said they were in Geeveston to help tackle anything that might start up.

There were crews from Margate, Middleton, Grove, Kingston, Dunalley, Channel and Cambridge, along with New Zealand firefighters stationed on Arve Rd.

Mr Skelly said they appreciated the help from all brigades who volunteered their time. Geeveston brigade chief Steven Franklin said his entire-18 strong brigade was ready to go at the station if needed.