Volunteer firefighters on the front line protecting Tasmanian communities for bushfire threat
Geeveston volunteer firefighters remain on the front line, protecting their community from the imminent bushfire threat. WATCH EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF CREWS BATTLING A 3AM SPOT FIRE.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HUNDREDS of volunteer firefighters remain on the front line protecting Tasmanian communities from the imminent bushfire threat.
It’s estimated more than 70,000 man hours have been dedicated to fighting the fires raging across the state.
About 370 personnel are still battling 52 fires along 950km of active fire edge, which have burnt through almost 100,000ha of bushland.
MORE FIRE NEWS:
MERCURY’S ROLLING COVERAGE OF TASMANIA’S BUSHFIRES
RUSH FOR RESIDENTS TO LEAVE TOWN
Geeveston volunteers encountered a tough Friday night as the out-of-control Tahune blaze burned closer to town.
Exclusive footage obtained by the Mercury shows the moment Tom Shepperd and Zak Nichols were called out to a large spot fire on Oigles Rd off Arve Rd at 3am.
They encountered a ferocious blaze with flames seen climbing tree trunks.
REX GARDNER: SCORCHING SUMMER A FICKLE FRIEND
GALLERY: STATE ON ALERT AS BUSHFIRES RAGE
“It’s on the roadside burning well into treetops,” Shepperd can be heard saying.
“Fire speed would be slow to moderate, but I don’t reckon we’ll be able to get on top of this.
“We can’t penetrate far enough to really do anything at this stage to be honest... we just want to watch this tree in the middle.”
Fire crews were also called to check on the sawmill on Southwood Rd and patrolled the town every two hours.
The volunteers have also been monitoring Costains and Arve roads.
Community members and the State Government today donated food to the dedicated brigade, while one of the volunteer’s mums baked scones.
BUILDING LOSS A STARK REMINDER OF FIRE’S REACH
STATE AVOIDS DISASTER BUT THREAT REMAINS
The emergency alert for the Tahune fire has been downgraded to a watch and act message for Castle Forbes Bay, Geeveston, Port Huon, Cairns Bay and Waterloo.
Geeveston brigade chief Steven Franklin said they were hoping to put in a containment line around the eastern edge of the fire.
“We’ll have one truck and a crew of four out patrolling that, we’re hoping it doesn’t jump it,” he said.
SIMON BEVILACQUA: LESSONS FORGED IN FIRE
LIVE COVERAGE: FRIDAY’S DIRE CONDITIONS
“Thank you to our volunteers for their dedication, and their workplaces for allowing them days off to protect their community.”
He said the fires were not finished yet and the community still needed to be on high alert.
Fourfoot Rd homeowner Anthony Burgess said he was ready to defend his property if need be.
He has stationed a water tanker in his driveway to put out grass fires and help out friends if needed.
“We’re concerned, you can’t be naive in these situations,” he said.
“We’re prepared to stay and do what we need to do.
“We’ve got the gutters blocked and a sprinkler going on the roof.”
Mr Burgess said they were getting their information straight from the local fire station and were prepared to stay until they were told to go.
SOME CAMPGROUNDS, TRACKS RE-OPENED
ROOM FOR A PONY? FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP STATE’S ANIMALS
Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders said 260 people were still registered at the Huonville PCYC evacuation centre tonight, with many choosing to stay because of the poor air quality, even though the emergency warning had been lifted.
She said they would keep the centre open for as long as people needed it.
About 120 people attended a community briefing at Geeveston hall this afternoon, where they were told to remain vigilant.
Tasmania Fire Service Geeveston taskforce leader Andrew Skelly said there was no need for alarm or panic as the fire still had to travel a fair distance to affect residents.
He said a couple of dozers were creating control lines around the fire.
jack.paynter@news.com.au
Kangaroo Bay Hotel gets ‘major project’ status
After a big red light from the council, the Kangaroo Bay Hotel has been thrown a lifeline: now granted ‘major project’ status. But it’s no guarantee the project will go ahead. Read what’s next.
Plibersek plays straight bat on salmon decision
The future of the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour has been in limbo for the last 12 months after a request for a review into the industry. Here’s what the Federal Minister had to say.