Where is all the smoke coming from?

Map showing the location of the fire in the top left
corner and Maydena in the bottom right corner.
Click image to enlarge.

SEVEN Upper Derwent Valley communities are under threat from a bushfire the size of Lake Gordon, burning in buttongrass vegetation at Gell River about 20km northwest of Maydena.

The Tasmania Fire Service says the fire may Maydena, Tyenna, Mt Field and National Park at very high risk within the next two to three hours. The same fire may also put Bushy Park, Ellendale, Westerway and Fentonbury at high risk in the same period.

Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe. Burning embers, smoke and ash may be falling on all those communities and a Bushfire Watch and Act Message is in place for the area.

Maydena/Tyenna/National Park WATCH AND ACT ALERT:  Click for updates.

Bushy Park/Ellendale/Westerway/Fentonbury WATCH AND ACT ALERT:  Click for updates.

Derwent Valley, Greater Hobart, Huon Valley, Channel SMOKE ALERT: Click for updates.

There are no evacuation orders in place, but anyone in Maydena feeling unsafe at home can go to the designated Nearby Safer Place at the former Maydena Primary School on Kallista Rd.

Advice from the Tasmania Fire Service:

• If your home is well prepared for high risk fires and you can actively defend it, it should provide shelter.
• If you are going to leave, make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.
• If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, use it now.
• If you don't live near Maydena, Tyenna, Mt Field, National Park, Bushy Park, Ellendale, Westerway and Fentonbury, stay away. The roads could become highly dangerous.
• Listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au for more information.

Fire crews have been stationed in the areas at risk and visitors have been evacuated from Mt Field National Park and the Maydena Bike Park. Gordon River Rd has been closed at Westerway since late this morning, with only essential vehicles being permitted to enter the area beyond.

For more information visit www.fire.tas.gov.au and listen to ABC Local Radio.

The Tasmania Fire Service's Google Map showing the bushfire area shaded
in grey, above Lake Gordon. Click image to enlarge.