Total bushfire ban declared for Tasmania on February 23
Tired firefighters are bracing for more dangerous fire conditions after a total bushfire ban has been announced for Tasmania.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sunday’s forecast of gusty winds up to 80km/h has prompted a total fire ban across Tasmania.
The state wide ban will start at 2am Sunday morning and be in effect for 24 hours.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Alex Melitsis said increased wind across the state’s west on Saturday night would heighten fire danger ratings before a cool change on Sunday morning.
The change is expected to bring 5-15mm of rain across the northern and western parts of the state with chance of scattered lightening, which Mr Melitsis said was “always concerning in the middle of summer”.
Dry conditions are forecasted for the rest of the state.
Mr Melitsis said Saturday would be the warmest day of the weekend, with temperatures in the low 30s recorded across eastern, southern and inland areas.
But Sunday’s weather change will see temperatures moderate to the mid-20s in the east of the state.
“So (Sunday) we’re in for a pretty warm and gusty day, not as warm as (Saturday), but we start to see cooler weather on Monday,” he said.
Tasmanian Fire Service deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said there had not been any reported growth of fires in the state, but remained concerned about increased fire behaviour.
He said the TFS had prepared throughout the week with increased standby crews leading up to the weather.
“We still have a lot of aircraft and firefighters … working on these fires, particularly the edges that have potential to break out under these strong winds,” he said.
“There is potential that our aircraft will not be able to fly in the predicted winds, and with the predicted cloud cover on the west coast on (Sunday), there’s a high chance that aircraft won’t be able to get into the air.
“This will impact our ability to hit fires fast.”
Watch and Act alert was declared for Pieman Heads, Conicol Rocks and surrounds.
The announcement of a total fire ban comes as the fire danger rating was raised to a Watch and Act for Pieman Heads, Conicol Rocks and surrounds due to an uncontrollable bushfire at Tikkawoppa Plateau.
Residents were urged to monitor conditions, either through the Tas Alerts website.
Residents without a fire plan would have to leave early in the event of fire danger, Mr Lowe said.
Step back in time with modern comforts at hidden New Norfolk gem
Marking the 200th anniversary of its construction, the Woodbridge property has been restored into a small luxury hotel offering a five-star experience that cannot be missed.
Gun held to head: Schoolgirl’s bullying torment takes toll
The mother of a girl who had a gun pointed at her head and was stabbed with a pencil at two Hobart private schools has broken her silence on the incidents. Read why she wants changes to help victims.