Interstate resources called in to assist with Gell River blaze as fire ban declared for state’s South

UPDATED: A total fire ban has been declared for the state’s South on Friday, with Tasmanians being urged to prepare for very high fire danger.

The fire front keeps moving in the state’s remote South-West wilderness. Picture: NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/ANDREW MACDONALD

A TOTAL fire ban has been declared for the state’s South on Friday, with Tasmanians being urged to prepare for very high fire danger.

The expected high temperatures come as more interstate resources have been called in to assist with the Gell River blaze within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Hobart is on Friday set to reach 29C, Launceston 26C and the Upper Derwent Valley 31C.

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Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol on Thursday said the warm weather would bring the potential for elevated fire danger in many parts of the state.

“Moving into Friday, we expect very high fire dangers to remain in the Midlands, Upper Derwent Valley and South-East and extend to the North-East and Central North districts on Saturday,” he said.

“People in bushfire-prone areas need to understand that under these conditions, fires can start and spread easily. Fire preparedness is a shared responsibility. It’s very important that people take heed of any warnings and proactively monitor conditions.

“TFS will pre-position crews and aircraft to allow us to respond to fires quickly in the areas most at risk.”

The fire fight is being assisted by NSW Rural Fire Service helicopter crews. Picture: NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/ANDREW MACDONALD

The total fire ban, which runs until 2am on Saturday, means that no fires can be lit in the open air, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pots and wood-fuelled barbecues.

HEATING UP Southern Tasmanians are expected to swelter though another hot day tomorrow with temperatures expected to reach more than 30C in some areas. A high moving towards New Zealand will deliver warm temperatures in the South, South-East and central regions. Hobart is forecast to hit 29C, Launceston 26C and the Upper Derwent Valley 31C. A very high fire danger are forecast today for the Midlands, Upper Derwent Valley, southeast and Central Plateau. Hot weather is also expected on Saturday, with dry thunderstorms possible in the early morning. Warm conditions are set to continue from Sunday into early next week with daytime temperatures expected to be 5-6C above average for January and overnight temperatures 3-4C above average.

The ban applies to the Brighton, Central Highlands, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Glenorchy, Hobart, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Sorell, Southern Midlands and Tasman municipalities.

Northerly winds of 25-35km/h and relative humidity down to 10 to 20 per cent is expected in those areas

There may be ash and embers falling in and around the Maydena, Tyenna, Mount Field and National Park areas from the Gell River fire. Smoke may also be visible in the greater Hobart area, Derwent Valley, Midlands and Huon Valley.

TFS and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service on Thursday night hosted another community meeting at the Maydena Hall to update nearby residents.

Someone will also remain at the hall on Friday to address questions and concerns.

The bushfire, which has burnt about 20,500ha of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, remains uncontained and continues to burn about 20km northwest of the Maydena township.

The southern fire edge is about 7km north of Adamsfield.

The Gell River bushfire. Picture: AAP/NSW Rural Fire Service

Two remote area paramedics and 12 “arduous-rated remote area firefighters” from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service will be sent to the fireground on Friday morning.

“Their skills include the ability to camp on the fire line in remote wilderness areas and carry their own firefighting equipment,” Mr Arnol said. “The crew from NSW will complement the work being done by Tasmanian remote area teams from Parks and Wildlife and Tasmania Fire Service. They will be focusing on a specific edge of the fire that suits their skills.”

Resources deployed to the fire include 10 aircraft and 70 personnel from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, TFS and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

More information can be found at www.fire.tas.gov.au.

Interstate resources called in to assist with Gell River fire. Picture: WARREN FREY/TFS

TFS has recommended Tasmanians living in areas at risk of bushfire:

— Review their bushfire survival plan and decide now what to do if a fire starts nearby

— Check the local fire danger

— Stay up to date on fires in the local area by proactively checking the TFS website and listening to ABC Local Radio www.fire.tas.gov.au

Anyone who sees a fire should call triple-0 immediately.