TFS declares a total fire ban with south set for a scorcher

Soaring temperatures have prompted the TFS to declare a two-day total fire ban across much of the state.

A 48-hour total fire ban has been declared in the state’s South and East as temperatures soar into the low-30s.

The ban will run from 2am on Thursday until 2am on Saturday in the Brighton, Derwent Valley, Hobart, Sorell, Central Highlands, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Huon Valley, Southern Midlands, Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Tasman municipalities.

An increase in escaped private hazard reduction burns over the past fortnight also prompted the Tasmania Fire Service to put in place a statewide fire permit period from Thursday until the end of the bushfire season.

A blaze near Lachlan in the Derwent Valley, which was escalated to emergency level on Tuesday night, was tonight 164ha in size and remained at advice level.

GALLERY: BUSHFIRE THREATENS LACHLAN

TFS Acting Deputy Chief Officer Shane Batt said Wednesday’s “benign weather conditions” were used to put in containment lines.

“We don’t see Hobart coming under risk at the moment,” he said.

“It may suffer from some smoke and ember attacks but we don’t see the fire pushing into the into the Hobart area, but potentially it could go around the back of Mount Wellington and head towards the Mountain River area.”

Bushfires at Lefroy, in the state’s North, and Elderslie, in the South, also remained at advice level. Mr Batt said the Bluff Road blaze at Elderslie was of concern as it was burning uncontrolled in very isolated and remote areas.

A helicopter in action as heavy smoke shrouds the sun from a fire near Lachlan on Tuesday evening. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Batt said crews were feeling “comfortable” but asked people to be vigilant.

“We’ve got enough fires in the landscape already,” Mr Batt said.

“Our resources are stretched. We’re controlling what we’ve got at the moment, we do not need any new starts.

“The declaration of the fire permit period is not designed to discourage people from burning, but it is a way of reducing the likelihood of escaped fires because people will be burning when the conditions are right.”

TFS permit officers issue permits with clear conditions that will ensure any burn is conducted as safely as possible.

Campfires and barbecues do not require a permit. However, people must remain in attendance at all times while any fires remain alight and ensure they are completely extinguished before being left unattended. If a fire does escape, call triple-0 immediately.

Check with your local council for additional burning restrictions. For information on how to obtain a fire permit, call 1800 000 699 or visit www.fire.tas.gov.au