Tasmanian bushfires could put two Central Plateau areas at high risk this afternoon, Tasmania Fire Service warns
UPDATED 10pm: Help is arriving from interstate and New Zealand as firefighters continue to battle bushfires burning across the state, including one in the Central Highlands close to the Great Lake township of Miena.
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UPDATED: Help is arriving from interstate and New Zealand as firefighters continue to battle bushfires burning across the state, including one in the Central Highlands close to the Great Lake township of Miena.
A “watch and act” message was issued for Miena today and remains in place tonight.
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People in the area were warned that embers, smoke and ash could threaten homes before the arrival of the fire, and they were advised to act on their bushfire plans.
Tasmania Fire Service district officer Brett Fazackerley said most people had left Miena after the message was issued.
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“There’s probably only 10 people left in Miena. Most people have left and the 10 people there are comfortable and equipped to deal with any situation if the fire happens to reach there,” Mr Fazackerley said.
“At this stage crews are holding the line and hopefully, if the conditions stay as they are, with air support, which has been very effective in suppressing the fire until we can get our ground crews in, we’ll be able to hold it at the line there,” Mr Fazackerley said.
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He said the fire at Great Pine Tier, which was started by lightning west of Little Pine Lagoon and Lake Fergus on Monday, had moved west and was about 4km from Miena.
He said the fire had taken a run yesterday and doubled in size.
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“This is a very large fire now. It could also be considered three or four fires due to the distance between different heads of the fire.”
Mr Fazackerley said about 75 firefighters were on the ground yesterday.
He said conditions would ease tomorrow and Monday, but a day of bad fire weather was expected on Thursday.
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“Until we get significant rain those fires are going to continue to burn,” Mr Fazackerley said.
Some roads in the area are closed, including the Marlborough Highway and Lake Augusta Rd.
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Personnel from NSW, SA, Queensland, the ACT and New Zealand are arriving in the state to help with the firefighting efforts, and include incident management teams, remote area firefighters, paramedics, air operations teams and specialist fire behaviour analysts.
An “advice” message has also been issued for a flank of the Great Pine Tier fire near Lake Fergus.
Advice messages have also been issued for Maydena, Tyenna, Mount Field and National Park near the Gell River fire, and for Tahune and surrounds for another South-West fire.
People in those areas should keep up to date with the latest information from the Tasmania Fire Service website or on ABC local radio.
EARLIER: The Tasmania Fire Service has issued two warnings for a bushfire burning on the state’s Central Plateau.
The Great Pine Tier fire burning near Miena, by the Great Lake, could put that town at high risk this afternoon and the fire service has issued a watch and act message, advising people in the area to activate their bushfire survival plan now.
“If your home is well prepared and actively defended, it should provide shelter,” the fire service says.
“If you are going to leave, make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.”
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People who do not live near Miena are asked to stay away because the roads could be very dangerous.
The fire service says winds are expected to push the fire towards Miena and surrounding areas.
“The fire may put Miena, Central Plateau at high risk this afternoon,” the fire service says.
“There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Miena, Central Plateau and threaten your home earlier than the main fire.”
The fire, that started on Tuesday has burnt about 4000ha.
Tasmania Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife firefighters are working to control the fire.
The fire service has also issued a watch and act message for a second front of the fire, burning to the northwest warning that fire could put Lake Fergus, Great Pine Tier and Little Pine Lagoon, O’Dells Lake, Lake Flora, Double Lagoon, First Lagoon, Lake Kay and the Nineteen Lagoons area at high risk this afternoon.
The fire service says forecast winds will increase fire activity this afternoon and the fire will be difficult to control.
“There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Lake Fergus, Great Pine Tier and Little Pine Lagoon, O’Dells Lake, Lake Flora, Double Lagoon, First Lagoon and Lake Kay,” the fire service says.
People in the area should activate their bushfire survival plan now.
Those who are not prepared for a bushfire should be ready to leave for a safe place, and those who do not live in the area should stay away.
People in the affected areas should stay up to date by listening to ABC local radio or checking the Tasmania Fire Service website.
Advice messages remain in place for fires in the southwest at Tahune and Gell River. People in those areas should also stay up to date.
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