Fireys on alert as bushfire smoke forces road closure

Police have closed a road in the state’s North as fire crews work to contain a bushfire.

The bushfire at Conleys Point on South Bruny Island. Picture: TASMANIA FIRE SERVICE

POLICE have closed a road in the state’s North as fire crews work to contain a bushfire at Lefroy.

Beachford Rd between Bridport Rd and Lefroy was shut by police about 6pm on Wednesday as thick smoke made driving conditions difficult.

Tasmania Fire Service reported no immediate threat to people or property but noted “fire under these conditions can be difficult to control”.

Meanwhile, the bushfire on Bruny Island has been downgraded as favourable weather conditions help firefighters to contain the blaze.

WEATHER CONDITIONS HELP BRUNY ISLAND BUSHFIRE

It is believed the fire is now being managed by local fire control only.

Firefighting efforts on Bruny Island were hampered on Tuesday by a drone being flown in the area, forcing the grounding of much-needed waterbombing aircraft.

The bushfire started about 5.30pm on Monday across 120ha near Conleys Point, South Bruny, forcing firefighters to call in extra cavalry on Wednesday morning.

Firefighters spent Christmas Day battling the ferocious fire in windy conditions with almost 100 people evacuated from Cloudy Bay on Monday night.

Conditions worsened on Tuesday with strong winds pushing the fire east towards Prices Lookout.

The fire reached an Emergency Warning Alert level but has since been downgraded to advice level.

Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Neil Brooksbank said a community meeting was held on Wednesday with local residents, travellers and campers regarding the current situation of the fire.

Mr Brooksbank said one property was lost as well as a number of sheds but the full extent of the fire damage would be assessed during the next few days.

Fifteen fire trucks and seven helicopters were deployed on Tuesday to contain the fire.