Saturday bushfire situation

Tasmania Fire Service Bushfire Watch & Act Message Glen Dhu Road, MOLESWORTH Current from:09/02/2013 11:37 AM    until: 09/02/2013 10:00 PM   or further notice  There is a large bushfire at Glen Dhu Road, MOLESWORTH. The fire danger rating in this area is  high. Fire under these conditions can be  uncontrollable and unpredictable. This fire may affect the communities of  Ringwood Rd, Mount Hull Rd, Collins Cap Rd, Suhrs Road, Valley Rd, Myrtle Forest Rd, Fehlbergs Rd, Old Springdale Rd, Springdale Rd and Fairy Glen Rd. This bushfire is currently not controlled. This bushfire may create spot-fires ahead of the main fire. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front. There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Ringwood Rd, Ironstone Gully, Suhrs Rd, Molesworth, Glenlusk and Collinsvale. There may be smoke and ash being carried considerable distances from the Molesworth fire and falling in the Mt Wellington, Kingborough and Huon Valley areas.  Roads may be affected by smoke and motorists are advised to drive carefully and turn on headlights. Reported Road Closures:  Pinnacle Rd is now closed from Bracken Lane due to heavy smoke. Mount Hull Rd at the junction of Collins Cap Rd is closed to the public (excepting residents). Collins Cap Rd from the junction of Tubbs Rd to the junction of Springdale Rd is closed to all traffic. Glen Dhu Rd, Molesworth Rd, Tubbs Rd and Wyre Forest Rd are closed to the public (excepting residents). For up to date information on road closures for this fire refer to Tasmania Police website at Road and Park Closures - Collinsvale Area. What to do: Activate your Bushfire Suvival Plan now. If your home is well constructed, prepared and actively defended, it may provide shelter. If you don’t have a Bushfire Survival Plan or your plan is to leave - leave now only if the path is clear. There is a Community Fire Refuge at Carinya Educartion Park next to New Norfolk High School, 103 Blair St. The Derwent Entertainment Centre is no longer a Community Fire Refuge centre. There are also Nearby Safer Places identified at Collinsvale War Memorial Hall at 14 Halls Rd and Malbina Cemetery at 100 Molesworth Rd. If you are away from home: Do not try to return as the roads in this area could be highly dangerous. Non-residents should stay away from the affected areas. Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further instructions.

Community Information:

Smoke is impacting on Hobart City and outer suburbs including areas around Mt Wellington, Kingborough, and Huon Valley. Residents who may have respiratory concerns are advised to remain indoors where practical, close windows and doors, or relocate to an area not affected by smoke. Schools closed due to bushfire risk: Collinsvale Primary School and Molesworth Primary Schools are expected to re-open on Tuesday (February 12). Closure of Wellington Park walking tracks and trails: The Wellington Park Management Trust has closed all tracks and trails leading to the Mount Wellington summit including  Collins Cap fire trail, Collins Cap Track, East-West fire trail, Montrose fire trail, Myrtle Forest Track, Collins Bonnet Track, Jefferys Track, Mountain River Trail, Big Bend fire trail, Old Montagu fire trail, Thark Ridge Route, Myrtle Forest picnic area, Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park and North-South Track (the sections north of the junction with Old Hobartians Track). For up-to-date information on track and trail closures refer to Wellington Park website.