Relief as cool change arrives but Tasmania Fire Service warns bushfire risk remains
The TFS has welcomed easing weather conditions – which saw temperatures drop 11C in 15 minutes – but warns the worst might not yet be over. Meanwhile a hotel will provide free lodging and food for those who have had to evacuate because of the fires.
Tasmania
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UPDATED: TASMANIA Fire Service chief Chris Arnol has welcomed easing weather conditions but warned the worst might not yet be over for firefighters in the north and southwest of the state.
“The total fire ban does remain in play until 2am and I’d like also to remind people we are not out of the woods,” Mr Arnol said.
“There is still significant fire risk in Tasmania ... We do have volunteer and career crews on standby in prescribed locations and we also have 17 aircraft ready to go and respond.
“The day is not over and neither is our fire season. We have another two months to go and this could be the prelude to a much busier time.”
Of the 17 blazes around the state, the biggest fire was around Gell River in the remote Wilderness World Heritage Area about 90km northwest of Hobart.
The TFS issued watch and act warnings for Maydena, Tyenna, Mount Field, National Park, Bushy Park, Ellendale, Westerway and Fentonbury, and Mount Field National Park was closed to visitors and walkers.
All air operations were suspended for a period during the day due to poor visibility and wind, and an evacuation centre was established at New Norfolk.
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Deputy Incident Controller Dale Rayner said the Gell River fire was the biggest concern for the TFS.
“That’s burning in remote country, predominantly in buttongrass,” he said.
“Fire activity has increased today and that has put a considerable amount of smoke into the southern region in and around Hobart.”
State Parks Manager Paul Black said the wind change and cold front had helped firefighters battling the Gell River fire, which had burnt through 14,700 hectares and would likely threaten high value areas in coming days.
“Conditions have moderated quite signigicantly there and we are expecting the fire behaviour to subside quite significantly overnight,” he said.
The fire area is known for its highly valued buttongrass and alpine areas including coniferous forests, which have not yet been affected.
“We expect the fire may potentially [approach that area] in the next couple of days but if it does it’s a site that’s well protected,” Mr Black said.
He said walking tracks in the area would remain closed for the foreseeable future.
The heavy smoke over Hobart would likely lift overnight, he said.
“In terms of the smoke in the actual fire area, we will have signicant smoke over the next week or so. But in terms of the impact further south, say for example in Hobart, we would expect that to clear up in the next couple of hours,” he said.
EARLIER: The Star and Garter Hotel in New Norfolk has opened its doors and will provide free accommodation and food to those who had to evacuate their homes because of the fires.
Licensee Emma Pearce said she had experienced the Dunalley bushfire six years ago so she knew what it was like.
The Derwent Valley Salvation Army Corps had also opened the doors of its Hamilton Rd centre for anyone fleeing Friday’s fire.
Tasmanian Salvation Army Divisional Programs secretary Stuart Foster said they could sleep up to 20 people and feed up to 500 if required.
“We’re ready to do whatever the community needs us to do,” he said.
Two people had checked into the centre by 5pm.
EARLIER: A COOL change has moved through Hobart and will slowly travel up the East Coast for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Luke Johnston said Hobart Airport reached 36C at 12.30pm, then dropped to 25C within 15 minutes.
Temperatures hit the the high 30s at Bushy Park, Ouse and Fingal shortly after noon but fell to about 30C by 5pm.
“The cool change arrived probably an hour earlier than we were expecting in Hobart – it was ... a southerly surge that pushed right up the Derwent just a little bit faster than we were expecting,” Mr Johnston said.
“The cool change coming in an hour earlier meant Hobart only reached 34 degrees which would have been a relief for some people.”
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of extreme fire danger – the second-highest rating – in the Midlands, upper Derwent Valley and South-East for the rest of Friday. The East Coast has a fire danger rating of severe – the third-highest rating – and the Furneaux Islands, Central North, North East and Central Plateau are rated as having very high fire danger.
EARLIER: A MOUNT Field cafe owner says up to 600 people have been advised to leave Mt Field National Park as an uncontrolled bushfire burns through the state’s Southwest wilderness about 90km northwest of Hobart.
Derwent Valley councillor and Mt Field’s Waterfalls Café owner Rachel Power said smoke engulfed the entire sky at Mt Field within half an hour, which sent a clear message that the area was under threat from the blaze at Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Ms Power said park staff were patrolling the area advising residents and visitors, including campers, to leave the area.
A police spokeswoman said no evacuations had been actioned by police at this stage.
“The whole Park appears emptied. All the campers look to have left and the tracks have been cleared,” Ms Power said.
“Park staff are monitoring to make sure all people are out. The campground was full, to overflowing, overnight.”
Ms Power said she feared for her home and business.
“Obviously I do [hold fears],” she said.
“I want to think all will be fine but even if it isn’t this will still be our home.”
Tasmania Police advised Maydena motorists that Gordon River Rd at Westerway is closed to all West-Bound traffic on the advice of the TFS due to fire, embers, and ash in the area.
For more information, listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au
Meanwhile, smoke from the fire is dominating the skyline over greater Hobart prompting the Tasmanian Fire Service to issue a smoke alert.
Satellite pic clearly showing the smoke plume over Hobart and surrounds from the fire in the southwest.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) January 4, 2019
See for yourself at: https://t.co/sE8cPnCNXP pic.twitter.com/rIpts56r29
The road to summit of Mt Wellington has been closed because of the fire weather warnings.
In a Facebook post New Norfolk’s St Brigid’s Catholic School offered refuge to any evacuated families.
The post said the school would be opened following contact made to its Facebook page by any impacted families.
A number of dramatic photos have been posted on social media.
EARLIER: The TFS has issued a smoke alert for the Greater Hobart, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and D’Entrecasteaux Channel as social media users share gripping photos of smoke engulfing Hobart.
A bushfire watch and act alert has been issued for Maydena, Tyenna and National Park, with the TFS saying the uncontrolled bushfire may put the area at high risk within the next two to three hours.
The TFS advised of possible embers, smoke and ash falling on Maydena, Tyenna and National Park which could threaten homes.
The TFS advice is:
If your home is well prepared and actively defended, it should provide shelter.
If you are going to leave, make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.
If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, use it now.
If you don’t live near Maydena, Tyenna and National Park, stay away. The roads could be very dangerous.
EARLIER: TASMANIANS are being urged to take care through sweltering weather conditions today as temperatures climb to an expected top of 39C in some parts of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns of extreme fire dangers in some areas of the Upper Derwent Valley and Midlands today, with severe fire dangers expected in parts of the East Coast forecast district.
At 11am an uncontrolled bushfire burning 20km North-West of Maydena may put Maydena, Tyenna an Mount Field National Park at high risk, as embers, smoke and falling ash threaten homes.
Tasmania Fire Service has advised Gordon River Rd at Maydena remains closed to west-bound motorists due to fire embers and ash falling through Mount Field National Park.
The bureau reports of temperatures in these areas reaching the mid to high 30s with north-westerly winds of up to 40km/h.
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Hobart’s temperature stood at 29C as of 10am this morning and could reach an expected top of 36C by this afternoon.
A total fire ban remains in place in the North and South of the state today.
Premier Will Hodgman has called on Tasmanians to exercise caution through today’s heat.
“With a total fire ban in place, I ask all Tasmanians to be vigilant, remain aware of local conditions and follow the advice of the Tasmanian Fire Service,” he said.
The TFS is currently responding to 17 reports of fires across the state, with career and volunteer firefighters on standby for any more fire outbreaks.
The hard work of the TFS and its volunteers has been praised by the Premier.
“Our hardworking career and volunteer firefighters do an incredible job keeping Tasmanian communities safe,” Mr Hodgman said.
Kingborough Council have confirmed Bruny Island’s Alonnah Hall will be open today for residents and visitors to relocate if required, as fire crews continue to battle the Christmas Eve Bushfire at Bruny Island’s Conleys Point.
EARLIER: SIX years on from the bushfire that devastated Dunalley and surrounding communities, Tasmania is preparing for a day of very high to severe fire danger in the eastern half of the state.
The Tasmania Fire Service has declared a total fire ban for Friday for districts in the North and South, excluding Flinders Island, meaning no fire can be lit in the open.
Southern municipalities affected will be: Brighton, Central Highlands, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Glenorchy, Hobart, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Sorell,
Southern Midlands and Tasman.
In the north, the total fire ban will apply in the municipalities of: Meander Valley, West Tamar, Break O’Day, Northern Midlands, George Town, Dorset and Launceston.
All outdoor fire, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pots and wood-fuelled barbecues will be banned.
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Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Alex Melitsis said the conditions expected would create significant fire danger.
“We’re looking at a really hot day for the eastern and southern half of Tasmania … with severe fire dangers in some areas,” Mr Melitsis said.
“Essentially it’s going to be a sunny day with a strong or strengthening hot northwesterly airstream and a cool change crossing the state during the afternoon.”
Mr Melitsis said the highest temperatures were expected about 2pm before the cool change reaches Hobart then slowly makes its way up the East Coast.
Hobart’s maximum is expected to be 36C, with temperatures approaching 40C in Campania and Richmond. Mr Melitsis said maximum temperatures of 38-39C were expected in the upper Derwent Valley.
Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Bruce Byatt said a number of the fires that started over the Christmas and New Year period were difficult to control, and fires that start tomorrow could be even more difficult to control.
“It is vital that as a community we recognise the risks we face from bushfire, especially on days where the forecast fire danger will make conditions challenging,” Mr Byatt said.
“People can assist with these challenges by promptly reporting fires via triple 0, preparing their properties, reviewing their bushfire survival plans and keeping up-to-date on changing conditions.”
Mr Byatt said of the fires already burning in the state, seven were active fires.
He said crews would patrol all existing fires on Friday so any flare ups could be dealt with quickly.
Extra firefighting aircraft and ground crews will also be on standby.
“Even with our firefighting aircraft and our additional resources on the ground they can only do so much and in these fire conditions, any fire will be difficult to control,” Mr Byatt said.
He urged people to promptly report fires to triple 0, review their bushfire survival plans, and keep up to date with fire conditions by checking the Tasmania Fire Service website or listening to ABC local radio.
Mr Byatt said people should also decide early whether they will stay or leave their property if a fire breaks out in their area.
The fire service warns staying to defend a well-prepared property during a bushfire always carries a risk of injury or death, but it is a reasonable choice if your home is well prepared, you are physically fit and emotionally prepared and fire conditions are less than extreme, which is the second-highest fire danger rating, above very high and severe.
The 24-hour total fire ban comes into effect at 2am on Friday.
On days of total fire ban, all outdoor fires are banned except electric stoves and barbecues.
Gas stoves and barbecues can be used provided they have been cleared of flammable material for at least one metre.
Barbecues and portable stoves using wood, charcoal or other solid or liquid fuel are banned.
Grinding, welding and cutting metal in the open are also banned, and the use of machinery, such as harvesters, may be subject to restrictions or banned.
The Tasmania Fire Service has urged all landowners who have recently had fires on their property to ensure those fires have been extinguished.
Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Ian Barnes-Keoghan said Friday’s predicted temperatures would be 10-15C warmer than would normally be expected at this time of year.
“These temperatures although very high don’t look like they’re going to break any records,” Mr Barnes-Keoghan said.
He said the outlook was for a warmer than average summer.
“Tasmania tends to have its warmest days late January into early February … as we head through the next couple of months, [it is] most likely to be warmer than average, so not just the warmest time of year but warmer on top of that.”
The Parks and Wildlife Service has banned campfires statewide on Friday and a number of walking tracks and campgrounds are closed because of the high fire risk.
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