Ellendale, Gretna, Hamilton, Ouse, Meadowbank

Tasmania Fire Service
Bushfire Watch & Act Message

Dawson Road, LAKE REPULSE

Current from: 4/01/2013 8:24PM until: 6/01/2013 8:20PM 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 can be  uncontrollable and unpredictable.

Persons at the Meadowbank Ski Club and shacks in the surrounding area need to be aware that fire will impact on them immediately.

This fire may affect the communities of Ellendale, Gretna, Hamilton, Ouse and Meadowbank within the next 1 hour.

This bushfire is currently not controlled. Spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.

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

Reported Road Closures: Ellendale Rd is 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.   

What to do:

• Activate your bushfire plan now
• 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.
• There is a Community fire refuge at Ouse Hall 6955 Lyell Highway, OUSE and Carinya Education Park, 103 Blair St, NEW NORFOLK
• 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 friends house away from the affected areas.

People living in the following areas should leave NOW only if the path is clear:

•     Gretna
•     Hamilton
•     Meadowbank
•     Ouse

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 located behind the New Norfolk High School, 103 Blair Street, NEW NORFOLK.

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.