Wooden Boat festival pre-events cancelled due to bushfires

An event scheduled to be a precursor of next month’s Wooden Boat Festival has been cancelled due to the looming fire threat to the Huon Valley.

Dennis Muscovich Glen Huon resident and member of The Living Boat Trust at Franklin. Bushfires continue to burn around the Huon Valley area. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A 10-DAY small boat expedition has been cancelled because of the Huon Valley bushfire threat.

The tawe nunnugah Raid, from the edge of the southwest wilderness to the Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, was called off this morning due to the threat on organisers’ homes in Franklin and surrounds.

Co-ordinator Martin Riddle posted on their website they had no other option but to call off the event.

“It is not reasonable to ask our local support volunteers to leave their families and properties vulnerable at this time,” he said.

“We realise this is both disappointing and disruptive, particularly for people travelling from interstate and overseas.

“However, we have been heartened by the many understanding and supportive messages we have received.”

He said they were looking at alternative activities for the boats.

Living Boat Trust member Dennis Muscovich was busy packing up the boat shed after the cancellation this morning.

His own home in Glen Huon is under threat with fire on the ridge line behind his property.