Crews working to fight uncontrolled bushfire in South West
A wildfire is raging on Aboriginal land in the remote South West, with one tour guide saying the area is the driest it’s been in decades. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>
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Concern for Huon Pine reserve amid uncontrolled South West bushfire
7:00pm Thursday, February 17
A wildfire is raging on Aboriginal land in the remote South West.
Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said the fire had covered some 339ha by Thursday midmorning in the Maxwell River valley near Olegas Bluff at Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
The TFS said a satellite first picked up the fire on Tuesday, with fireys mystified over what caused it.
Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) incident controller Alex Bradley said remote crews were working close to the fireground to protect sensitive cultural heritage assets and surrounding flora.
“Fire operations are based at Strathgordon with assistance from a special intelligence gathering helicopter,” Mr Bradley said.
“Remote area firefighters from the PWS are onsite and will undertake active suppression when safe to do so.”
The fire is mainly affecting buttongrass moorland.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the “globally unique” Olegas Truchanas Huon Pine reserve was at risk of being damaged by the blaze.
“The reserve contains the largest stand of Huon Pine in Tasmania, and therefore the globe,” she said.
“These rare trees’ numbers have already been badly impacted by wildfires in 2013 and 2019.
“No fire has entered this reserve in potentially thousands of years and all efforts and resources should be dispatched to ensure this spectacular, enchanting and important forest is protected.”
The fire has affected Aboriginal Land Council Tasmania land, with Mr Bradley saying firefighters were focusing their efforts on protecting environmental and cultural assets.
Par Avion guide Greg Wells said the vast South West region was suffering.
“It’s the driest I’ve seen it in 20 years,” he said.
“All my guides have been saying it.”
Mr Wells said he had been carting water for his camp for a few weeks, but he normally wouldn’t have to do this until March.
“We’ve run out of water,” he said.
“The West’s been unusually dry, it doesn’t surprise me that there (are) bushfires starting.”
Mr Wells said the south west was rich in peat soil, which “burns beautifully” when it dries out.
“We’re hoping not to be impacted, but if the fire expands then there’ll be issues,” he said.
“We’re hoping for a bit of rain maybe overnight tomorrow.”
PWS has asked anyone visiting Gordon Dam, Strathgordon and Gordon River Rd to expect increased road traffic and aircraft activity.
Access to the Hamilton Range and Truchanas Pine Forest via the Gordon Dam is closed, as is access to the Prince of Wales Range and Pearce Basin to the Denison River.
Mount Field National Park, Strathgordon and Maydena may be experiencing smoke.
Fireys fight fire burning at Seven Mile Beach
3:00pm Thursday, February 17
A smoke alert has been issued for residents around Seven Mile Beach, Lewisham and surrounding areas as a bushfire burns along Pittwater Road.
A local at Dodges Ferry told the Mercury up to four helicopters are being used to fight the blaze from above, picking up water from Lewisham and Sorell to use for waterbombing.
Seven fire trucks and crew are currently at the scene.
Tasmania Fire Service said there is currently not threat to the public.
Drivers nabbed in police operation, Huon Valley
Wednesday, February 16
Several motorists travelling through Geeveston have been caught speeding or driving with an illicit drug, after a police traffic operation in the area on Wednesday.
Police cracked down on speeding, alcohol and drug driving, possession of illicit substances, vehicle registration and roadworthiness.
The operation also targeted honing and dangerous driving on rural roads and highways in the Huon Valley.
As a result of the operation, a 58-year-old man was slapped with a 12 month disqualification after returning a high range reading of 0.171.
Three drivers allegedly returned positive oral fluid test results for driving with an illicit drug.
Police also detected three motorists speeding 15 to 30km/h over the speed limit.
“Motorists are reminded that buying, selling, or transferring vehicles must comply with legal requirements and this process can be completed online through the State Government Transport Services website,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
“Police will continue to undertake traffic enforcement strategies at any time, at any location, and with focused resources.
The message is perfectly clear, driver behaviour, vehicle roadworthiness, and all other offences on our roads will be enforced to ensure the public travel safely.”
New owners of unroadworthy vehicles without appropriate transfers being undertaken were also detected.
Protester arrested at logging coupe, Central Highlands
Tuesday, February 15
The Bob Brown Foundation is applauding the actions of a 19 year old who was arrested at a logging coupe at Wentworth Hills, in the Central Highlands.
The South Arm woman was arrested during a protest at the site after Bob Brown Foundation demonstrators mobilised at the site this week, with one setting up a tree sit.
“I join many other Australians in saluting Ellen’s courage and commitment to Tasmania’s future,” Bob Brown said.
“The Wentworth Hills forest should be a national park showplace for Tasmania’s future, not a widening scene of logging squalor.”
The foundation said protesters haven’t been deterred, vowing to continue taking action.
“If Ellen’s arrest is a sign of toughening measures against our peaceful defenders of the forests and their wildlife, it won’t work,” Mr Brown said.
Sustainable Timbers Tasmania was contacted for comment.
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