Bushfire Emergency Warning Message
Meadowbank Rd, Meadowbank - current from 12.39pm, February 26, 2012, until further notice
There is a large bushfire at Meadowbank Rd, Meadowbank. The fire danger rating in this area is severe. Fire under these conditions can be uncontrollable and unpredictable .
The fire is expected to put the area of Meadowbank Rd, Glenora residents, and Karanja and Uxbridge at direct risk from the fire front within 30 minutes.
This bushfire is currently not controlled. This bushfire is currently creating spot-fires up to 1km ahead. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.
There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on residents of Meadowbank Rd, Glenora residents, and Karanja and Uxbridge.
Reported road closures: Meadowbank Dam Rd, Meadowbank Rd and Rockmount Rd.
What to do:
- Activate your bushfire plan now
- It is likely to be too late to leave the area. If your home is well constructed, prepared and actively defended, it may provide shelter
- If you don’t have a plan or your plan is to leave – leave now, only if the path is clear
- This may include a neighbouring property or other cleared area close by that is not at risk from fire
- There is a nearby safer place at Bushy Park Oval
- If you are away from home: Do not try to return to your home as the roads in this area could be highly dangerous
- Non-residents should stay away from the affected areas
- Monitor ABC Local Radio and www.fire.tas.gov.au for further instructions
Community Information:
- Residents who are at home and defending their property must protect themselves from the effect of the fire by wearing the right clothing. Sturdy boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, a P2 dust mask, eye protection and a broad brimmed hat are a minimum. On no account should synthetic material be worn
- Visibilty may be affected when travelling on the Lyell Highway and other roads in the area due to smoke. Tasmania Police will be patrolling roads in the area
- If there is any fire activity causing you concern please report it by calling 000.
Tasmania Fire Service resources in attendance:
4 x LIGHT TANKER
5 x HEAVY TANKER
2 x MEDIUM TANKER
1 x CAR
6 x PERSONNEL CARRIER
1 x ROTARY WING: MEDIUM
1 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT
Earlier statement regarding the fire
There is a large bushfire at Meadowbank Road, MEADOWBANK of approximately 800ha burning to the southwest of the Meadowbank dam. Two spot fires that started earlier are now controlled. Overnight conditions have been calm so crews were able to establish containment lines to the south of the main fire and commence back-burning operations. Back-burning will continue today on the western flank of the fire to strengthen current containment lines. Sixteen units with about 50 personnel have been deployed to the fire along with heavy machinery and helicopters for water-bombing. The fire is burning in open grassland and light bush and there is no immediate risk to communities. However, hot conditions are expected later today with a fire danger rating of very high. The bushfire is currently not controlled. Fire under forecasted conditions may be difficult to control. Smoke may affect communities from Meadowbank to Hobart due to fire activity and back-burning operations. This smoke may be visible as far as the Huon Valley area. The fire has been investigated by Tasmanian Fire Service and the cause was found to be accidental. Reported road closures are: Rockmount Road, Meadowbank Dam Road and Meadowbank Road. Lyell Highway, Gordon River Road to Mount Field National Park and Ellendale Roads remain open. Tasmania Police will be patrolling the Lyell Highway between Hamilton and Gretna. The public are asked to remain vigilant and report any new fires or suspicious activity to 000. A Watch and Act Alert remains in place, and the communities of Ellendale, Meadowbank, Fentonbury, Westerway, Glenora, Bushy Park, National Park and Gretna have been urged to activate their bushfire plans. If your home is well constructed, prepared and actively defended, it may provide shelter. If you do not have a plan or your plan is to leave, prepare to leave for a safer place such as a friends or relatives place away from the fire. If you are away from home, don’t try to return to your home as the roads in this area could be highly dangerous. Non-residents should stay away from affected areas. There is a total fire ban across the state today. Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further instructions.
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