Hamilton, Fentonbury, National Park on alert

THE Tasmania Fire Service "watch and act" alert connected with the Lake Repulse bushfire has been extended to include Hamilton, Fentonbury and National Park in addition to Westerway, Ellendale, Meadowbank and Ouse. This fire may affect those communities within the next four hours.

This bushfire extends over 454 hectares and is currently not controlled. Spot fires will move quickly and come from many directions. There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Ellendale, Meadowbank, Ouse, Hamilton, Fentonbury, National Park and Westerway.

Local temperatures have already reached and in some cases exceeded the forecast maximum of 39 degrees. Bushy Park reached 39.2 at 12.30pm and Ouse was at 38.7 at the same time. At 1pm it was just over 39 degrees at New Norfolk (unofficial).

Fire danger in the Derwent Valley is rated at extreme today, and a total fire ban is in place throughout Tasmania.

At  1pm the following TFS resources were attending to the fire:

6 x LIGHT TANKER

2 x MEDIUM TANKER  

1 x HEAVY TANKER

1 x TFS

1 x CAR

6 x PERSONNEL CARRIER

1 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT

What to do if you are in the area: Click here for the latest update from the Tasmanian Fire Service.