Tasmanian firefighters on way to mainland as local threat eases
UPDATED, 5PM: Consolidating fire boundaries ahead of this week’s warmer weather remains a priority for firefighters today as more than 20,000 hectares of bushland has burnt across the state.
Tasmania
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5PM: CONSOLIDATING fire boundaries remains a top priority for Tasmanian firefighters today ahead of warmer weather expected to hit the state later this week.
Remote area firefighters, aircraft and machinery have been deployed in a centralised effort to ensure community safety and drop advice levels.
More than 20,000ha of bushland has burnt in Tasmania to date as a result of three main firefronts devastating the state.
At Fingal, in the state’s North, approximately 16,078ha has burnt with a perimeter of 93km from a fire which started on December 29; the Pelham Road fire, which has been burning since December 30, has destroyed 2100ha of bushland; while the Pearce Basin fire, burning since December 22, has burnt 2730ha.
The Tasmania Fire Service encourages the public in threatened areas to remain prepared and vigilant. A Bushfire Survival Plan is a must.
To find out where your nearest safe place is, go to www.fire.tas.gov.au
3.30PM: PEOPLE affected by the current bushfires across Australia and here in Tasmania are being reminded to seek help if they feel overwhelmed.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Jeremy Rockliff today said anyone who needs mental health support should contact Rural Alive and Well (1300 4357 6283), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) or Kids Helpline (1800 551 800).
“Daily images on the news and social media of catastrophic bushfires can be confronting, and a traumatic reminder for those who have lived through similar situations,” he said.
“New fire events can at times lead to people feeling overwhelmed by a range of emotions including stress, sadness and anxiety.
“These are normal reactions and there is support available.”
On behalf of our community, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds expressed sorrow at the devastation brought by fires burning around Australia.
“As a capital city in a state that is no stranger to wildfires, we know the terror and destruction they bring,” she said.
“Our community sends our deepest condolences to the families of people who have lost their lives; and our thanks to the firefighters who continue to risk theirs to help others.
“We also feel a great sadness for the huge loss of nature and wildlife in some of our country’s most beautiful places.”
Cr Reynolds said City of Hobart employees had been encouraged to donate to official bushfire appeals.
She urged residents of Hobart to take heed of the warnings, stay safe and look after their neighbourhoods.
“Our climate is changing and this summer is far from over,” Cr Reynolds said.
“The bushland in Tasmania is extraordinarily dry and we all need to prepare for a fire season that will run longer than we’re used to.
“This is no time for complacency. Our own Tasmanian Fire Service has lots of information about how to prepare your home and ensure you have a plan.
2PM: BEACONSFIELD mine collapse survivor Todd Russell was among 41 brave Tasmanian firefighters who flew to New South Wales this morning to assist with the fight against “devastating” bushfires in the region.
Mr Russell and fellow miner Brant Webb made global headlines when they miraculously survived two weeks trapped almost a kilometre underground when the mine collapsed in 2006, killing one.
Mr Russell is now the chief of Beaconsfield Fire Brigade and has had plenty of experience on the ground diverting emergencies.
He and the other Tasmanian volunteers will spend five of their seven days away defending threatened communities, protecting assets and relieving local firefighters so they can rest.
11AM: SEVEN separate alert messages remain in place this morning for the uncontrolled bushfires to the north and south of Fingal.
There is no evacuation centre open at the moment but fire information is available at Fingal Neighbourhood House from 8am-5pm or Fingal Fire Station from 5pm-8pm.
The closest nearby safer place is at St Marys.
At 10.17am, the Tasmania Fire Service said there would be increased smoke and ash around Fingal from fire activity in the vicinity of Bare Rock but residents should not be concerned.
The Tower Hill area, Valley Rd, Mangana, Fingal and surrounds remain at watch and act, while Royal George To Nowhere Else, Tyne Valley and Mathinna Rd are at advice level.
Acting northern regional fire chief Ian Bounds this morning described conditions as “benign” but said activity was expected to pick up during the day.
“Our main concentration has been around the communities of Mangana and Fingal,” he told ABC radio.
“We’re now finalising work around those areas to ensure that those communities remain safe.
“There’s been a number of containment lines put in and we’re now doing back burning operations.
“The fire activity will increase. We don’t want people to panic. It’s part of our operations as we remove the fuel from those edges, so those edges can be made safe.
“That’s our focus. We’ve got conditions worsening as we go through the week and it’s looking extremely worrying, especially on Saturday.”
The Pelham bushfire continues to burn within containment lines in the Derwent Valley.
Firefighting crews supported by heavy plant machinery and aircraft are consolidating and strengthening containment lines and blackening out edges.
FEARS OF THREE FIRES MERGING INTO ‘MEGA-BLAZE’
Mr Bounds said he was confident the state could afford to send 48 firefighters from the North West Coast and North to Nowra and Queanbeyan in New South Wales for a week.
“We’re monitoring our own risk but we’re still seeing that we’re in a position to provide some support,” he said.
“They’ll be deployed … to support local crews, hopefully giving them a rest but also providing asset protection to those communities.”
OVERNIGHT: A CREW of 41 Tasmanian firefighters are flying out to help their exhausted mainland colleagues as the local fire situation calms in the face of cooler weather conditions.
But the Tasmania Fire Service has warned this State’s bushfire emergency – which has seen two properties, along with numerous out buildings and vehicles destroyed so far – is not over.
A return to hotter weather in the middle of this week – with a top of 28C forecast for Fingal and 30C for Hobart Thursday – could see things flare up again.
FIRE STATIONS TARGETED BY THIEVES
Of particularly concern is the potential for the Fingal fire to spread into a nearby national park and down to the State’s tinder-dry east coast.
“Easing conditions across foregrounds are assisting firefighters to work to control fires burning across Tasmania today (Sunday),” the TFS said.
“Firefighters, supported by machinery and aircraft will take advantage of favourable weather conditions over the coming days to build and strengthen control lines on all fires, before the fire danger may increase later in the week.
“Conditions remain dry in Tasmania, particularly in the east.”
The bushfire which started at Fingal on December 29 has now burnt almost 15,000 ha.
On Sunday, there were 32 fire trucks, 99 personnel and seven aircraft working to bring it under control.
The TFS said the fire to the south of the town almost doubled in size on Saturday and remains of significant concern.
Work continues around Bare Rock with a particular focus on the Duncan Colliery and associated coal tailings.
On Sunday afternoon, Watch and Act level alerts were in place for Valley Road, Tower Hill, Fingal and surrounds and an Advice level alert applies to Royal George to Nowhere Else, Mangana and Mathinna Rd.
Evacuated residents are returning to Mangana but have been advised to take care due to the danger posed by burnt trees and to no “explore” burnt out areas where the ground could be unstable.
A smoke alert is in place for the north east from Binalong Bay to Beaumaris.
The Pelham Rd bushfire, near Kempton, continues to burn within containment lines.
So far one house, 11 out buildings and 13 vehicles have been damaged by the blaze.
Crews continue to black out on the northern edges and in the south eastern corner and the removal of dangerous trees continues.
The bushfire in the Pearce Basin at Strathgordon continues to burn, however conditions have eased.
Firefighters are being flown into the fireground where they are using hose lays, portable dams and water bombing aircraft to establish containment lines.
On Flinders Island, the fire in the Foochow Conservation Area has burnt out almost 3000ha.
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