Huonville Recovery Centre offers bushfire evacuees safe haven as nightmare conditions continue

The southern centre of Huonville is looking more like a refugee camp as hundreds of people flee their homes to seek sanctuary from an out-of-control bushfire raging to the south.

THE southern centre of Huonville is looking more like a refugee camp as hundreds of people flee their homes to seek sanctuary from an out-of-control bushfire raging to the south.

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders said the work by emergency workers and community members at the Huonville evacuation centre had created a sense of “calmness”, but she said the region faced “a couple bad days ahead”.

About 160 Huon Valley residents took shelter at the Huonville PCYC on Monday night, with Cr Enders expecting more people to take refuge there as the fire, which began near the Tahune Airwalk, continues to worsen.

MORE FIRE STORIES

‘THERE’S NO RESPITE AHEAD FOR US’

AIRWALK TO BE ‘CLOSED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD’

NEW LOW? MAN ACCUSED OF LOOTING FIRE-ZONE HOMES

BBL CROWD, PLAYERS CLOAKED IN SMOKE

IMAGES FROM THE FIRE FRONT

GEEVESTON FIRE FAR FROM OVER, SAY POLICE

As of Tuesday afternoon, 78 tents were set up outside as emergency shelter for fire-affected residents while another 28 campervans also housed evacuees.

Cr Enders said while some residents camped with their dogs, there were also more than 400 animals taking shelter at the nearby Ranelagh animal evacuation centre.

Cr Enders, who spent most of Tuesday assisting at the Huonville evacuation centre while she awaited the fate of her own Franklin property, said residents were remaining calm while also showing the vigilance required.

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders at the evacuation centre in Huonville. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“An information session held next door at the primary school repeated more of what we’ve been hearing over the last few days — and that’s to stay cautious,” she said.

“The room was told if you sense a threat, leave your home without hesitation as we’re expecting a couple of bad days ahead.

“Volunteers at the evacuation centre are doing an incredible job. There’s still room for residents.

“It can hold up to 300 people and all we ask residents is, if they can, to bring their own bedding.”

Tasmania Fire Service deputy operations officer Phil Smith said 120 ground crew were working to contain the Riveaux Rd blaze which started near the Tahune Airwalk.

Mr Smith said seven aircraft were also working on the fire.

He confirmed residents of some fire-affected Huon Valley properties were being asked to leave home.

“At the moment, police are maintaining a high level of vigilance so those sorts of community engagements are occurring,” he said.