Friday night fire update

THE bushfire situation in Tasmania continues to cause concern to firefighting agencies and today has proved a challenge, the Tasmania Fire Service said tonight. Fire activity has been erratic and severe conditions are expected to remain well into the night on the east coast.

Fire weather conditions reached severe in some parts of the state and several fires broke their containment lines as predicted, including the Great Pine Tier fire which is suspected to have doubled in size to around 40,000 hectares.

The Gell River fire also broke its containment lines and crossed the Gordon Gorge. There is no threat to populated communities from this fire at this point in time and the priority is on protecting the Tim Shea communications tower, and the cultural heritage of the Adamsfield area.

Click image to enlarge.

Three fires of concern continue to put communities at risk. Those fires are Riveaux Road/Tahnune, Great Pine Tier in the Central Highlands and Western Hills on the West Coast. Several warnings remain in place for communities at risk of impact from that fire and will remain in place until the threat eases.

Ten new fires started today. Four of those are still going, with the cause of those fires to be determined by a fire investigator. None of those fires are endangering communities at this point in time.

The Tasmania Fire Service continues to recommend people in bushfire-affected areas leave early to an evacuation centre where there is one. People who are planning bush camping trips and day trips this Australia Day long weekend should cancel. In these fire danger conditions, it is not safe to camp in areas surrounded by bush.

The community is also reminded that there is a Total Fire Ban in place for all of the state across the weekend.

The TFS advises the community to:

• Heed the total fire ban;
• Review your bushfire survival plan now;
• If you don't have a bushfire survival plan, decide now what you and your family will do if a fire breaks out in your area;
• If you decide to stay and defend your property, make sure you are physically and mentally prepared for this and be aware that in the predicted conditions, even properties you think you can defend will be undefendable
• Continue to report unlisted fires to TFS by calling Triple Zero (000);
• Listen to ABC Local Radio and visit www.fire.tas.gov.au for the latest bushfire information and advice.

Statistics:

• Fireline - 969kms (Hobart to Newcastle equivalent)
• Area burnt: 82,585 hectares
• Property losses to date:
• a homestead near Miena (Skittle Ball Plains), a kayak shed at Tahune and a 3x3m fishers hut at Lake Laura