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Mount Field National Park, Hastings Caves and Thermal Pool, and Wellington Park to be closed on January 25

Three popular Tasmanian parks will be closed tomorrow because of prevailing fire conditions, a total fire ban, and the weather forecast.

Three popular Tasmanian parks will be closed tomorrow as a result of the current fire conditions, a total fire ban, and the weather forecast.

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service said this morning Mount Field National Park, Hastings Caves and Thermal Pool, and Wellington Park will be closed tomorrow. Pinnacle Rd will be closed late tonight.

PWS state fire manager Paul Black said the Gell River fire to the west of Mt Field and the fire burning in the Tahune area is expected to produce extreme levels of smoke and ash.

Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service state fire manager Paul Black addresses the media during a bushfire briefing at the Tasmania Fire Service headquarters in Hobart on Wednesday.
Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service state fire manager Paul Black addresses the media during a bushfire briefing at the Tasmania Fire Service headquarters in Hobart on Wednesday.

“The weather forecast for Friday is hot with high wind gusts, so the camping ground and day area walks at Mt Field will be closed all day Friday,” Mr Black said.

“Windy conditions pose additional risks of tree falls and will trigger closure of the Russell Falls circuit. The alpine area at Mt Field is already closed so these worsening conditions make the park unsafe”.

Mt Field National Park will be one of three Tasmanian parks closed tomorrow. PICTURE: Parks and Wildlife Service
Mt Field National Park will be one of three Tasmanian parks closed tomorrow. PICTURE: Parks and Wildlife Service

Mr Black said there will also be a full site closure of the Hastings Cave and Thermal Pool.

“We believe closing these sites is the most prudent course of action to ensure visitors are not put in harm’s way,” he said.

Mr Black said all other PWS sites in the South-East will remain open and will be monitored.

He said with the amount of fires burning and the potential for spotting and new starts due to the weather forecast, PWS was asking people not to venture into remote areas until the end of the long weekend.

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The Mount Wellington Park Management Trust has also decided to close Wellington Park tomorrow, and Pinnacle Rd will be closed from 10pm tonight.

The closures follow consultation with the South West Fire Response Incident Management Team and the Southern Regional Management Team.

The parks will reopen on Saturday, subject to weather and fire conditions.

A full list of track, road, and area closures (including campgrounds) is available at parks.tas.gov.au/closures.

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/mount-field-national-park-hastings-caves-and-thermal-pool-and-wellington-park-to-be-closed-on-january-25/news-story/778ff29deffa32d919b0d0e26f0aad04