Warning for Tasmania after California, Victoria blazes

‘Conditions can change quickly with high winds fuelling fast moving fires’: Despite a so-far quiet bushfire season in Tasmania, the experts warn that could change.

Firefighters douse hot spots from a house reduced to ashes in the Palisades Fire, along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. Picture: Cecilia Sanchez / AFP

In the wake of fires in Victoria and California, the Tasmania Fire Service has warned Tasmanians to be prepared for bushfires.

TFS deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said while the forecast for summer was for a “normal” fire season meaning some bushfires may burn for several days and days of total fire ban could be expected.

“However, even with a normal fire risk, significant bushfires can occur in our landscape,” Mr Lowe said.

“So far this season there haven’t been any concerning fires in Tasmania, but as we have seen in recent weeks in Victoria and recent days in California conditions can change quickly with high winds fuelling fast moving fires that can impact communities.

Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Matt Lowe. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“TFS and our partner agencies, Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania have been working hard to ensure we are prepared for bushfire season.

“Just as we are prepared, we need the community to be prepared for bushfires anywhere in the state this summer.”

Mr Lowe said people living near forest, bush, grasslands or the coast should prepare their property for bushfire.

He also encouraged Tasmanians to complete and practice a Bushfire Plan, for their own property and for anywhere they travel to over summer.

Information on preparing can be found on the TFS website: Bushfire: Why risk it? | Tasmania Fire Service

Mr Lowe said fire permits were now required for people wishing to conduct burns larger than 1 cubic metre in size on their property.

Tasmanians are urged to listen to ABC radio for the latest bushfire warnings and alerts, visit TasALERT.com for updates, check weather forecasts at bom.gov.au, visit fire.tas.gov.au for Fire Danger Ratings or follow Tasmania Fire Service and TasALERT on social media for real-time updates.