Monday bushfire update

 TASMANIA FIRE SERVICE

IT has been a busy day for firefighters, with significant fire activity in the Upper Midlands and Huon areas. There are 44 fires listed, with 21 of those considered going.

The fire danger rating exceeded forecast conditions today, with some areas reaching 'severe'. Tuesday and Wednesday will be warm days, with Wednesday bringing the most concerning conditions. A total fire ban will be declared for Wednesday in the south and parts of the north - details will be confirmed on Tuesday.

Emergency Warnings have been issued for several communities in the Huon Valley. Emergency Alert phone messages have been issued for specific locations within the Riveaux Road warning area.

People in the warning areas have been advised to consider leaving their property to a nearby safer place, or an evacuation centre.

Firefighting is currently taking place at the Southwood Wood Processing Plant after embers burned through skylights. Crews are working to minimise damage to the plant.

A 737 'bomber' aircraft is en-route from NSW this evening to the Huon Valley to assist by dropping a load of gel, and will return to NSW once that task is complete.

There are unconfirmed reports of property losses and it is unlikely this information will be verified today.

Emergency warnings are also in place for communities at the southern end of the Great Pine Tier fire. All crews and aircraft assigned to that fire are protecting assets in the Hermitage and Jean Banks Road areas and attempting to keep the fire to the west of Highland Lakes Road.

Firefighting strategies in the Wadammana area have successfully minimised impact to critical transmission power lines.

In the south-west, sprinklers are being installed around Lake Judd in the Mt Anne area to protect sensitive vegetation.

Advice from Tasmania Fire Service remains as follows:

• 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;
• Continue to report unlisted fires to TFS by calling Triple Zero;
• Listen to ABC Local Radio for rolling coverage of the bushfire situation and visit fire.tas.gov.au for the latest bushfire information and advice.