Waterbombing aircraft sent to tackle bushfire at Dolphin Sands on Tasmania’s East Coast
UPDATED, 6PM: Authorities say two sheds, a caravan and machinery have been lost in a bushfire that ripped through the holiday hamlet of Dolphin Sands on Tasmania’s East Coast.SEE THE VIDEO
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UPDATED, 6PM: AUTHORITIES say two sheds, a caravan and machinery have been lost in a bushfire that ripped through the holiday hamlet of Dolphin Sands on Tasmania’s East Coast.
The Tasmania Fire Service said investigators had determined the cause of the blaze was an escaped hazard reduction burn being conducted by a landowner on private property.
TFS regional fire investigator Adam Doran said anyone conducting such a burn needed to be prepared for the risk of fire escaping.
“Even though the temperatures are cooler, this is not the only factor to consider when planning to burn,” he said.
“Vegetation remains extremely dry in some areas, and there is a real risk of burns escaping and threatening properties such as what occurred last night.
“In this instance, the property owner was burning vegetation in a pile less than a cubic metre, therefore a permit was not required.
“However, this type of burn still requires adequate preparation such as a 3m mineral earth break, an accessible water supply and fire equipment that is in good working order.”
A fire permit period still applies statewide for anyone planning to conduct a burn greater than a cubic metre.
The TFS said reports of damage from the fire included two sheds, a caravan and machinery.
The fire remains on a “watch and act” level, with crews completing a back burn to contain the blaze.
Crews will remain on scene tonight and tomorrow, supported by machinery and helicopters.
UPDATED, 2.50PM: Back burning has started at Dolphin Sands in an attempt to contain the uncontrolled bushfire on the state’s East Coast.
The Tasmania Fire Service warns there will be increased smoke in the area, and the fire is burning within containment lines.
UPDATED, 11AM: THE Tasmania Fire Service has made headway on controlling a fire blazing on the state’s East Coast. The emergency warning for Dolphin Sands has been downgraded to watch and act.
Changing winds overnight made extinguishing the fire very difficult.
Tasmania Fire Service crews were forced to defend properties from embers, and have so far managed to protect a number of properties threatened by the fire.
The fire has been traced to a registered burn that escaped from a property late yesterday afternoon.
A number of fire crews remain on the scene today, with waterbombing aircraft and fire trucks working to contain and extinguish the blaze.
UPDATED, 8.26AM: A FIREFIGHTER has been injured, and a shed lost in an uncontrollable East Coast bushfire that’s forced residents to flee Dolphin Sands.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Debbie Wisby said the 56ha fire at Dolphin Sands, which broke out yesterday afternoon, had claimed a shed on a coastal property while a firefighter had been hurt during the blaze.
“I am told one shed has been confirmed lost and a firefighter has been transported to seek medical care following an injury sustained,” Cr Wisby said.
She said aerial support was being deployed to water bomb the blaze this morning in addition to the seven tankers in attendance.
There are about 340 properties in the Dolphin Sands region and the Tasmania Fire Service has urged residents to flee the area.
Cr Wisby said the Swansea Backpackers accommodation was used as an evacuation centre on Tuesday night to welcome those residents who fled their homes.
“It’s quite a scary situation for us at the moment,” Cr Wisby said.
“But it’s also quite heartening to see how the community has pulled together to help one another – that’s what makes this municipality so special.
“Shops have opened up their doors for people who need food, as have residents in safe areas. It makes it special living here when you see people so committed to helping out.
“We are very pleased with the efforts by all volunteer and career firefighters, but it’s obviously a very concerning time for us. ”
Cr Wisby said she would visit Dolphin Sands with TFS officers this morning to offer support to affected residents.
She said the Council would continue to work alongside the TFS to give assistance to the Dolphin Sands community.
“We have an emergency management plan in place and the Council will follow advice from the TFS as to when to open a formal evacuation centre if required,” Cr Wisby said.
Cr Wisby said the region’s drought was causing concern to a number of East Coast community members.
“It’s so dry up there, where it’s right in the drought area, which is always a concern during a fire,” she said.
“The drought is probably worse than normal.”
FOR THE LATEST FIRE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE
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UPDATED: A Bushfire Emergency Warning remains current for Dolphins Sands, with the town under severe risk as residents are urged to flee.
Six tankers are this morning attending the uncontrollable East Coast blaze which started shortly after 2pm yesterday.
So far crews have been able to protect properties from the fire threat but the Tasmania Fire Service has urged residents to leave if they are in a position to do so.
The safest thing to do is leave well before the fire hits,” TFS said in a statement said.
“If you are going to leave, make sure there is a clear road to a safer place.
“There is no Evacuation Centre activated. Residents that are unable to leave are to seek a large area, clear of any vegetation.”
The TFS has warned anyone trying to visit the area to stay away.
“Do not try to travel to the area as the roads could be highly dangerous.”
A smoke alert has been issued for Swanwick Drive, Hazards View Rd and Coles Bay.
EARLIER: Dolphin Sands residents have been forced to flee as a bushfire threatens the small East Coast community. An emergency alert was in place late on Tuesday for a fast-moving 56ha fire burning at Dolphin Sands Rd towards the eastern end of Dolphin Sands.
FOR THE LATEST FIRE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE
The fire was first reported shortly before 2.30pm and reached emergency level about 6.30pm.
Tasmania Fire Service said the fire danger was severe, and advised the safest thing to do was for residents to leave well before the fire hit.
There was no evacuation centre activated.
@ABCemergency more pics of the Dolphin Sands fire as sun sets. pic.twitter.com/mUXihC7IGA
— JJohnson (@Drjjohnson76) April 9, 2019
A TFS spokeswoman said most people who needed to be evacuated had left and were being accommodated in the Swansea area.
The spokeswoman said it was hoped easing wind conditions would help fire crews battle the fire overnight.
There was no information available from the TFS last night on potential property losses.
Dolphin Sands Ratepayers’ Association secretary Robyn Moore said the community was pulling together to provide shelter from people who had left their homes.
“There’s been really good support from emergency services, they are evacuating a lot of people from the end of the peninsula. They are evacuating people to Swansea and there’s been lots of offers of accommodation, including from the Swansea backpackers and the fish and chip shop,” she said.
Ms Moore estimated about one third of properties at Dolphin Sands were occupied by permanent residents.
She said bushfires posed a significant risk to the community given its unique geography and the dryness of surrounding vegetation.
“One of the problems we have here is there is only one road in and out. It is a constant concern to us and the TFS,” she said.
She said it was possible shacks at been lost.
Shack owner Liz Selkirk said the local community Facebook page had been invaluable in keeping people up to date.
“I think some people are worried, particularly those that have shacks and holiday homes, (who) aren’t there and can’t see what’s going on,” Ms Selkirk said.
In an interview with the Mercury last week, TFS chief officer Chris Arnol said the East Coast was the TFS’s main area of concern in terms of future bushfires due to extreme dry conditions in the region.
UPDATE 7pm: AN emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire at Dolphin Sands.
The warning issued at 6.39pm said the fire at Dolphin Sands Rd was expected to put Dolphin Sands at risk in 20 minutes,
The Tasmania Fire Service says the fire danger will be severe.
Fire under these conditions will be uncontrollable and fast moving.
Embers, smoke and ash falling on Dolphin Sands East could threaten homes earlier than the main fire.
The TFS has advised residents to keep up to date by listening to ABC local radio and checking the TFS website.
Absent property owners from Dolphin Sands’ significant shack community have been nervously seeking local updates on a bushfire burning near the East Coast community.
Shack owner Liz Selkirk said the local community Facebook page had been invaluable in keeping people up to date about the conditions on the ground.
“I think some people are worried, particularly those that have shacks and holiday homes, (who) aren't there and can’t see what’s going on. It sounds like the fire has been contained to once section . My understanding is it’s around 1km down Dolphin Sands Rd, so there would certainly be properties around that area,” Ms Selkirk said.
UPDATE 5pm: A WATCH and act alert has been issued for a bushfire at Dolphin Sands on the state’s East Coast.
The alert, issued by Tasmania Fire Service at 4.14pm today, says the uncontrolled bushfire fire may put Dolphin Sands at high risk now.
There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Dolphin Sands that could threaten homes ahead of the main fire.
The TFS says residents should activate their bushfire plans.
Well-prepared homes should provide shelter but people planning to leave should make sure they have a clear path to a safer place.
People who do not live in Dolphin Sands are being asked to stay away from the area.
EARLIER: WATERBOMBING aircraft have been called to a bushfire at Dolphin Sands on the state’s East Coast.
The Tasmania Fire Service said the fire on Dolphin Sands Rd was moving quickly in a north-easterly direction but was no immediate threat to properties in the area.
A smoke alert has also been issued, with smoke and fire from the blaze likely to be visible around Dolphin Sands, Swanwick and Coles Bay.
Fire crews from Cranbrook, Triabunna, Bicheno and Mayfield were at the scene this afternoon.
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