Tasmania Fire Service crews brace for severe fire danger as watch and act alert remains in place

A watch and act alert for a bushfire near Interlaken has been downgraded to advice level. SEE THE VIDEO

A BUSHFIRE near Interlaken, Lake Crescent and Dennistoun Rd, near Serat, has been downgraded to advice level.

The Tasmania Fire Service announcement at 6pm warned residents to expect to see smoke and possible flames from the bushfire.

The TFS said there was no immediate threat to properties.

The fire had been at a watch and act alert for much of the day.

EARLIER: THE Tasmania Fire Service says crews are ready to respond to new fires and will continue to control existing blazes ahead of predicted very high and severe fire danger.

A bushfire near Bothwell in Tasmania’s Central Highlands remains at watch and act level this morning.

The alert is for the area of Interlaken and Lake Crescent, south of Interlaken Rd.

The TFS said there had been elevated fire activity at the blaze this morning.

SMALL TOWNSHIP IN FIRE DANGER ZONE

The fire is burning uncontrollably, and intelligence is being gathered this morning to assess how much it spread overnight.

Blazes at Elderslie and Glenfern, in the state’s south, are at advice level. The TFS said containment lines around the Glenfern Rd fire are being strengthened, and the fire at Bluff Rd, Elderslie is burning freely in inaccessible country. The fires are being controlled under the weather conditions this morning, but have the potential to rapidly change during the day as winds increase.

Glenfern fire near Lachlan at night with Tasmania Fire Service crew. Picture: LACHLAN FIRE BRIGADE

Fires in the north are contained and in patrol, apart from a fire at Revenue Mine Road, Mathinna which is being contained.

TFS state fire controller Shane Batt said conditions were expected to remain in the very high to severe range today for much of the south and East Coast, and any fires that start today will be difficult to control.

“Strike teams and aircraft have been positioned at strategic locations across the region to allow for a rapid response to any new fires that start,” Mr Batt said.

A total fire ban remains in place in the southern regions. The TFS said people should consider their need to use equipment such as lawnmowers, slashers and anything that may cause a spark because anyone who does start a fire — no matter if it was accidental or deliberate — will be held responsible for the blaze.

Up-to-date information is available at the TFS website.