Tasmania’s Riveaux Rd bushfire claims its fourth house in the Huon Valley, more still in danger

A house was lost on Sunday and a number of other properties remain at high risk of devastation, as a radical fire continues to edge closer to Geeveston and nearby communities.

A waterbombing helicopter seen from Rileys Creek Rd, Geeveston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A HOUSE was lost on Sunday and a number of other properties remain at high risk of devastation, as an erratic fire continued to edge closer to Geeveston and nearby communities.

Watch and Act alerts were upgraded to Emergency Warnings for Geeveston, Port Huon, Cairns Bay, Waterloo, Surges Bay, Brooks Bay, Glendevie and Police Point shortly before 3pm yesterday.

Earlier in the day fire crews were directed by Tasmania Fire Service deputy operations officer George Auchterlonie to respond to Triple-Zero (000) calls throughout the day after crews spent the past week undergoing backburning.

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A Tasmania Fire Service crew from Huonville arrives to conduct asset protection at a home on Rileys Creek Rd, Geeveston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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Sunday was anticipated to bring challenging weather conditions for firefighters, and conditions became troublesome midafternoon following a period of relative calm during the morning.

Residents were seen packing their cars and heading north of the town before a government text message sent to Huon Valley residents, alerting them of the warning, confirmed the threat of fire had escalated.

“It sort of all went a bit pear-shaped about 2pm,” Mr Auchterlonie said. “We had a fire break out in four different areas on the southern division of the fire. Three of those we managed to contain and one we didn’t.”

Mr Auchterlonie said an area around Tongatabu Ridge, a remote wilderness region south of Geeveston, caused most concern for firefighters.

“It broke out there and made a run towards the Surges Bay/Waterloo area but luckily didn’t have major impact on the towns,” he said.

But sadly one house couldn’t be saved. “We lost one house on the Huon Hwy near the Hermons Rd intersection, which of course is very sad,” Mr Auchterlonie said.

“The property’s residents were not home. It’s tragic the house couldn’t be saved but most importantly no one was hurt.”

He said conditions late in the afternoon became favourable for crews.

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Craig Woolford from Margate Fire Brigade at Rileys Creek Rd, Geeveston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

But after a day of devastation, Mr Auchterlonie confirmed firefighting efforts had taken a massive hit.

“We’ve gone backwards probably a couple of days, and now we’ve got to reassess and work out what we’re going to do to try and hold it again,” he said.

“It’s heading in a southerly direction but we have mitigation plans in place, but again, we’re just hoping for rain.”

Last night, fire crews from a number of stations worked tirelessly to protect an isolated Rileys Creek Rd property from the imposing fire burning from all directions, and as close as 200 metres away.

On the scene was Margate Fire Brigade fourth officer Craig Woolford, who said crews would be standing by the property throughout Sunday night and Monday morning, as clouds of smoke and emerging flames crept closer.

“We’re here watching out that embers don’t escalate. When they start to land that’s when the fire can really start up” he said.

“Helicopters came through and found two fronts coming towards us, so we were brought out. It was then found it was safe to return and we’ve since continued asset protection.”

Police closed the Huon Hwy at both ends of Geeveston yesterday. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mr Auchterlonie last night said “it’s a frustrating fire that will continue to give grief for weeks to come”.

He urged all Huon Valley residents to remain vigilant and to follow emergency advice warnings.

Yesterday’s house loss was the fourth reported since the Riveaux Rd fire started on January 16. Other losses have included a kayak shed and a shipping container.

Other confirmed property losses statewide include a shack at Skittleball Plains, a hut at Lake Laura and a shed at Waddamana shed lost to the Great Pine Tier fire, while historic Churchill’s Hut was destroyed in the Gell River fire.