Northern towns in the firing line ahead of worsening bushfire conditions on Saturday
The East Coast could be the next region in danger if a bushfire burning in the Fingal Valley is not brought under control by the weekend.
Tasmania
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FIRE crews in Tasmania’s North are scrambling to secure the towns of Fingal and Mangana ahead of worsening conditions on Friday, which are expected to make the fires extremely difficult to control.
The main fire at Fingal, east of Launceston, has now burnt about 6600ha with a perimeter of 42km. It continues to threaten nearby towns, with Mangana evacuated two days ago.
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An emergency warning has been issued for Mathinna Rd at Fingal and remains in place, following a day of gusty winds that caused the fire to become very active and unpredictable. Two fresh fires ignited south of the main blaze.
“We saw a lot of activity on the northern edge of the fire due to those winds, and the fire started spotting 2km-7km from the main fire, which is how the other two fires to the south of Fingal started,” Northern Regional Chief Ian Bounds said.
“It has been extremely challenging. A number of times we have had to pull our crews back from the fire and let aerial support come into play before we can re-engage.”
With temperatures expected to reach the high 20s on Friday — and to climb above 30C on Saturday — the race is on to contain the fire as much as possible ahead of what could be a challenging weekend, with a possibility the fire could surge towards the East Coast.
“The eastern and southern sides of the fire will be critical over the next few days to ensure Fingal and Mangana are protected,” Mr Bounds said.
“Conditions are expected to deteriorate on Friday and into Saturday, so we are asking that people stay very alert.”
Mr Bounds said news that one of the fires at Fingal had been deliberately lit had been disappointing for firefighters working to control the resulting blaze.
“It has put a lot of people and a lot of properties at risk,” he said.
In the state’s South, a watch and act warning remains in place for a fire in the Upper Derwent Valley. The areas of Pelham and surrounds, and Elderslie and Broadmarsh, are on alert.
Firefighters continued efforts to control the blaze and construct containment lines. The fire has now burnt an area of about 1800ha.
“Crews have been working mainly to secure the boundary of that fire and protect properties,” Mr Bounds said.
“Conditions have been challenging there as well, and our main focus has been on public and firefighter safety.”
Meanwhile, a fire continues to burn at Strathgordon in the South-West, with an advice message in place.
The Parks and Wildlife Service has extended campfire restrictions to parks in Tasmania’s South as a result of the current dry conditions.
Restrictions now apply to parks including Bruny Island, Cockle Creek and Mount Field National Park due to the increased risk of campfires escaping to become bushfires.
For the full list of campfire restrictions, visit the Parks website.
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