Properties feared loss as lightning strikes cause damaging bushfire in state’s Upper Derwent Valley

Properties are expected to be destroyed as major fires rage in what has been described as some of Tasmania’s worst ever summer weather conditions.

PROPERTIES are expected to be destroyed as a life-threatening fire raged in what has been described as some of Tasmania’s worst ever summer weather conditions.

Career and volunteer firefighters worked late into the night on Monday protecting homes in the Upper Derwent Valley as a damaging bushfire, caused by lightning strikes, threatened rural towns.

In what was Hobart’s hottest December day on record, fire crews were called to the blaze at Pelham about 3pm to contain a fast-moving and out-of-control bushfire that was threatening the townships of Broadmarsh and Elderslie.

The Tasmania Fire Service issued an emergency warning for the towns and the surrounding areas after conditions reached catastrophic level.

LIVE COVERAGE: HOW THE DAY UNFOLDED

A TFS emergency alert told residents “the safest way to survive is to evacuate”.

Helicopters monitor the bushfire front on Elderslie Rd. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Dozens of residents gathered at the Broadmarsh Community Hall at 7pm, with the fate of their homes resting with Mother Nature.

Smoke shrouded Elderslie Rd throughout the afternoon as the blaze tore through hectares of land on the west side of the road.

Twenty-seven TFS crews attended including multiple water bombing helicopters.

Cattle and horses appeared in distress as embers fell in paddocks along Elderslie Rd.

Livestock in a paddock as the Elderslie Rd fire draws closer. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

TFS regional chief south Dale Rayner said fire conditions were “equal to the worst” conditions seen in Tasmania since the 2013 Dunalley bushfires, which saw over 170 homes lost.

“The weather pushed into catastrophic levels for short times in the Upper Derwent Valley,” he said.

“That’s the main fire for us now – the main one we’re concerned about.

“It’s likely we’ve had property lost but we’ll confirm that going forward.”

Mr Rayner said a second band of lightning would likely cause more destruction late on Monday night. He said the large amount of smoke made it impossible to map the size of the blaze.

“We have spotter-flyers going out at first light on Tuesday to look for any fires that have started overnight. And we’ll use our weight of attack to try to suppress those very quickly,” he said.

Kempton Fire Brigade volunteer Richard Lang at the Elderslie Rd bushfire. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Rayner said while fire crews were well prepared ahead of the catastrophic conditions, it was unlikely Tasmania would receive much help from interstate.

“Monday saw the most resources we’ve ever had stand up to fight fires but one thing we’re aware of is, with conditions the way they are on the mainland, we’re unlikely to get much assistance,” he said.

“We need to consider that it’s unlikely we’ll get the same amount of assistance as we have in the past.”

TFS personnel in thick smoke at the Elderslie Rd bushfire. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A bushfire emergency warning was also issued for Fingal following a blaze at Mangana Rd.

TFS said the 5ha bushfire, which had 18 resources in attendance, would “put Fingal at severe risk”.

The fire was later downgraded to watch and act.

Smoke plumes blanketed across Hobart on Monday evening

Forty-two separate bushfires were reported on the TFS website as “going”, “under control’ or “patrol” as of 9pm.