Ellendale bushfire emergency warning

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Tasmania Fire Service
Bushfire Emergency Warning Message UPDATE

Dawson Road, LAKE REPULSE 

Current from: 4/01/2013 5:14PM until: 4/01/2013 8:00PM or further notice

The fire has crossed Ellendale Rd and is moving rapidly in a south-easterly direction. Houses are likely to be impacted in the Meadowbank Lake area. The fire is predicted to reach Rockmount Rd within 2 to 4 hours under the current conditions.


Current from: 4/01/2013 2:30PM  until: 4/01/2013 5:00PM or further notice

The fire is predicted to reach Rockmount Rd, Ellendale, within 4 to 6 hours under the current conditions.


Current from:  4/01/2013 1:28PM until: 4/01/2013 5:00PM or further notice

There is a large bushfire at Dawson Rd, LAKE REPULSE .

The fire danger rating in this area is extreme. Fire under these conditions will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.

The fire is expected to put the area of Ellendale at direct extreme risk from the fire front within 2 to 4 hours.

This bushfire is currently not controlled. The area will be affected by smoke and ash.

Spot fires will move quickly and come from many directions. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.

This bushfire is currently creating small fires ahead of the main fire front.

There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Meadowbank, Ouse, Hamilton, Fentonbury, National Park and Westerway.

Reported Road Closures: Ellendale Rd is NOW closed. Dawson Rd from the intersection with Ellendale Rd, Lake Repulse Rd near Ouse is closed from the intersection with the Lyell Highway and Pillies Rd is closed from the intersection with Ellendale Rd.

ACTION:

• Activate your bushfire plan now; Leaving is the SAFEST option for your survival. If you don’t have a bushfire plan or your plan is to leave, leave now only if the path is clear.
• There is a Community fire refuge at the Ouse Hall, 6955 Lyell Highway, OUSE 
• Stay informed in case conditions change
• 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 & http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/ for further instructions.

Community Information:
People living in the Lake Repulse area including Broad River, Jones River and Ellendale Rd down as far as Ellendale should have left now. The safest option is to leave and go to a relative or friend's house away from the affected areas.

Even well prepared properties may not be defendable under the forcast weather conditions. Given the conditions firefighters may not be able to control fires.

People who relocate need to be self-sufficient. Community fire refuges are open at the Ouse Hall, 6955 Lyell Highway, OUSE, and Carinya Education Park (former Derwent Valley Business Enterprise Centre) at 103 Blair St, NEW NORFOLK, past New Norfolk High School.

If you choose not to leave and the fire impacts on you, you may be able to travel to a nearby safer place otherwise you should prepare to shelter in your home. Leaving at the last minutes can be extremely dangerous.

Mt Field National Park is closed.