Holiday fun continues at Mt Field

THE Discovery Ranger Summer Program continues at many national parks, including Mt Field National Park in the Derwent Valley. Several parks including Mt Field also have Mandarin-speaking rangers to highlight the wonders of national parks to Chinese visitors.

Skilled and experienced rangers offer visitors to our national parks the chance to join in a wide range of activities such as guided walks, evening talks, childrens' activities and more. At Mt Field, Discovery Ranger Karina will offer free fun and educational activities at the following dates and times:

Wednesday, January 1
10am - Discovery and wonder display (2hrs): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and special plants. Find out everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing National Park.
1.30pm - Who is eating who at Mt Field? (1hr): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Short easy, nearby nature walk with some fun surprises on the way.
3pm - Chat with a Ranger (1hr): Meet at the Russell Falls track. Discover the best places to find platypus and glow worms along the track.

Thursday, January 2
10am - Discovery and wonder display (2hrs): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and special plants. Find out everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing National Park.
1pm - Looking at nature from a different perspective (1hr): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Bring your camera and learn how to take amazing photographs.
3pm - Chat with a Ranger (1hr): Campground area. Find out how to make the most of your Mt Field experience.

Friday, January 3
11am - Chat with a Ranger (1hr): Meet at the Russell Falls track. Discover the best places to find platypus and glow worms along the track.
2pm - Discover the hidden world under Mt Field (1hr): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Learn how to become a caver with Discovery Ranger Karina.
8.30pm - Creatures of the night (1.5hrs): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Short and easy night walk.  Add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Visitor Centre to ensure your place.

Saturday, January 4
10am - Fun guys and ferns! (1hr): Meet at Tall Trees car park. A short guided walk with Discovery Ranger Karina.
1pm - Discovery and wonder display (2hrs): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and special plants.  Find out everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing National Park.
4pm - Chat with a Ranger (1hr): At the Russell Falls track. Discover the best places to find platypus and glow worms along the track.

Sunday, January 5
10am - Discovery and wonder display (2hrs): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and special plants. Find out everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing National Park.
1pm - Which trees love fire? (1hr): Meet at Mt Field Visitor Centre. Join a Discovery Ranger and find out about the battle of the trees.
3pm - Chat with a Ranger (1hr): At the Russell Falls track. Discover the best places to find platypus and glow worms along the track.

All activities are free, but normal park entry fees apply. Remember to bring sun and rain protection, sturdy shoes and a hat for all daytime activities. Programmed activities may be cancelled in bad weather or unsafe conditions - check with the Mt Field Visitor Centre for updates. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Pelham fire still active, Strathgordon downgraded

TWO bushfire incidents in the Derwent Valley remain at Watch and Act level while the bushfire in the Strathgordon area has been downgraded to Advice level.

The Tasmania Fire Service says the bushfire that started near Pelham, east of Gretna yesterday afternoon, may still put Pelham, Elderslie and Broadmarsh under threat.

"Those in the area are asked to remain vigiliant and those who do not live in the area are advised to still stay away," a TFS spokesman said. "Some roads are blocked by fallen trees and powerlines, so access cannot be guaranteed. TFS are currently working to clear these roads and make the areas safe for people to return to their properties."

Some rain fell on the fireground overnight and the weather conditions are favourable at present, but the TFS says fire behaviour is still unpredictable and fire under these conditions can still be difficult to control.

Firefighters are working to control the fire and construct containment lines. The fire is still very active and remains uncontrolled. Pelham, Elderslie and Broadmarsh may still be threatened with ember attack and residents are asked to be mindful of changing wind conditions. Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe.

BUSHFIRE WATCH AND ACT MESSAGE FOR PELHAM & SURROUNDING AREAS
BUSHFIRE WATCH AND ACT MESSAGE FOR ELDERSLIE AND BROADMARSH

What to do:

• 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 there is a clear road to a safer place.
• If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, use it now.
• If you don't live in the area, stay away. The roads could become highly dangerous.
• Listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au for more information.

Community Information:

• For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/
• People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. More advice is available from the Department of Health dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke or Asthma Australia asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/bushfires-and-smoke/

BUSHFIRE ADVICE FOR STRATHGORDON/SOUTHWEST

The bushfire at Pearce Basin, north of Strathgordon, remains active and is not currently under control. There is no immediate threat from the fire however conditions can change quickly. Although weather conditions have abated, fire under these conditions can still be difficult to control.

Gordon River Rd re-opened this morning but smoke from the fire may still impact the road. - For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website.

What to do:

* People in the Southwest should keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au.

*Well-prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.

* If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.

*If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.

Incident number: 19038838. Community Information:

*Smoke from the fire may impact Gordon River Road - For information on current road closures, please visit the *Tasmania Police website: police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

* People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan to manage the risks of smoky days. Advice is available from the Department of Health dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke or Asthma Australia asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/bushfires-and-smoke/

Pelham bushfire status downgraded

Tasmania Fire Service Google Map showing the area affected
by the Pelham bushfire. Click image to enlarge.

THE status of the bushfire at Pelham, east of Gretna, has been downgraded from an Emergency Warning to a Watch and Act Message.

The Tasmania Fire Service says the fire may continue to put Pelham and surrounding areas at risk throughout the night. Those in the area are asked to remain vigiliant and those who have left the area, or do not live in the area are advised to stay away.

"Although weather conditons have eased and some rain has fallen on the fireground which has assisted firefighters, fire behaviour is still unpredicatable and fire under these conditions can still be difficult to control," a spokesman said.

"This fire is burning in a south-easterly direction towards Honners Rd, Bluff Rd, Elderslie and Broadmarsh, and west towards Clifton Vale Rd and Cockatoo Gully Rd."

The fire blanketed much of the Derwent Valley in smoke for several hours on Monday night, including New Norfolk, until cleared by several showers of rain late at night.

BUSHFIRE WATCH AND ACT MESSAGE FOR PELHAM & SURROUNDING AREAS
BUSHFIRE WATCH AND ACT MESSAGE FOR ELDERSLIE AND BROADMARSH

Burning embers from the Pelham fire, falling on Elderslie and Broadmarsh, may still threaten homes. Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe. An evacuation centre has opened at the Brighton Civic Centre, 25 Green Point Rd, Bridgewater.

What to do:

• 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 there is a clear road to a safer place. There is an evacuation centre at the Brighton Civic Centre at 25 Green Point Rd, Bridgewater.
• If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, use it now.
• If you don't live near in the area, stay away. The roads could become highly dangerous.
• Listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au for more information.

Incident number: 19039680. Community Information:

• For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/
• People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. For advice is available from the Department of Health www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke or Asthma Australia https://asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/bushfires-and-smoke/

Bushfire reported at Mt Lloyd

UPDATE: The Mt Lloyd fire has been reported as a false callout and the incident is closed.

EARLIER: FIVE units from local fire brigades are responding to reports of a vegetation fire at Mt Lloyd, outside New Norfolk.

Two heavy tankers, two light tankers and one medium tanker are on the way to the fire at Mt Lloyd Rd, which was reported just after 6pm.

Click here for updates on the Mt Lloyd fire.

Elsewhere in the Derwent Valley, Bushfire Emergency Warnings have been issued for Pelham, Elderslie and Broadmarsh due to an uncontrolled bushfire at Pelham, east of Gretna.

The Tasmania Fire Service says this fire will put lives in danger and may destroy homes now in Pelham as well as areas including Pelham Rd and Honners Rd. The fast-moving fire is burning in a south-easterly direction towards Honners Rd, Bluff Rd and Elderslie. It is expected to put Elderslie and Broadmarsh at high risk this evening. This includes Bluff Road, Grahams Creek Rd and Storeys Rd.

An evacuation centre will open at 6.30pm at the Brighton Civic Centre at 25 Green Point Rd, Bridgewater, for people evacuating from Pelham, Elderslie or Broadmarsh.

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY WARNING FOR PELHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS
BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY WARNING FOR ELDERSLIE AND BROADMARSH

Bushfire emergency warning: Elderslie, Broadmarsh

Tasmania Fire Service Google Map showing the areas likely to
be threatened by the Pelham bushfire. Click image to enlarge.

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY WARNING FOR ELDERSLIE AND BROADMARSH

Issued At: 30/12/2019 5:58pm
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION

There is an uncontrolled bushfire which started near Pelham Rd, Pelham.

The fire is expected to put Elderslie and Broadmarsh at high risk this afternoon and this evening. This includes Bluff Rd, Grahams Creek Road and Storeys Rd.

The fire danger will be severe. Fire under these conditions will be uncontrollable and fast moving.

Embers, smoke and ash falling on Elderslie and Broadmarsh could threaten your home earlier than the main fire.

What to do:

• The SAFEST thing to do is go to a safer location now well before the fire hits.
• If you are going to leave, make sure there is a clear road to a safer place. There is an evacuation centre opening at 6.30pm at Brighton Civic Centre at 25 Green Point Rd, Bridgewater.
• Only strongly defended homes, made to be bushfire proof in severe conditions, can protect your life.
• Do not try to travel to the area as the roads could be highly dangerous.
• Listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au for more information.

Incident number: 19039680. Community Information:

• For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/
• People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. For advice is available from the Department of Health www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke or Asthma Australia https://asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/bushfires-and-smoke/

Alert Level: EMERGENCY WARNING
Type: Vegetation Fire
Last Updated: 30-Dec-2019 05:58 PM
First Reported: 30-Dec-2019 02:55 PM
Location: Pelham Rd, Pelham
Status: Going
Agency: Tasmania Fire Service
Size: Not reported
Attending Resources:
Tasmania Fire Service Resources Arrived:
  1 x OTHER
  1 x TFS
  1 x ROTARY WING: MEDIUM
  4 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT
  1 x CAR
  1 x PERSONNEL CARRIER

Tasmania Fire Service Resources Mobilised:
  1 x LIGHT TANKER
  1 x HEAVY TANKER
  1 x OTHER
  1 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT
  1 x PERSONNEL CARRIER

Parks and Wildlife Resources Mobilised:
  3 x LIGHT TANKER

Bushfire emergency warning for Pelham

Updated Tasmania Fire Service Google Map showing the area
of the Pelham bushfire near Gretna. Click image to enlarge.

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY WARNING FOR PELHAM TIER RD AND HONNERS RD

Issued at: 30/12/2019 4:22pm
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION

An uncontrolled bushfire at Pelham will put lives in danger and may destroy homes now.

This fire is moving south- easterly towards Bluff Rd and Elderslie.

The fire is creating dangerous spot fires ahead of the main fire front. Thick smoke and thousands of embers will cause fires all around you. Fires will move quickly and may come from many directions.

What to do:

• The SAFEST way to survive is to evacuate NOW for a safer place. Safer places include Brighton and Hamilton.
• If you don't have safe route to a safer place, shelter inside your home until the fire passes.
• Do not try to return if you are out of the area.
• Listen to ABC Local Radio or look at www.fire.tas.gov.au for more information.

Incident number: 19039680. Community Information:

• For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/
• People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. For advice is available from the Department of Health www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke or Asthma Australia https://asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/bushfires-and-smoke/

Alert Level: EMERGENCY WARNING

Type: Vegetation Fire

Last Updated: 30-Dec-2019 04:22 PM

First Reported: 30-Dec-2019 02:55 PM

Location: Pelham Rd, Pelham

Status: Going

Agency: Tasmania Fire Service

Size: Not reported

Attending Resources:

Tasmania Fire Service Resources Arrived:
  1 x TFS
  3 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT
  1 x CAR

Tasmania Fire Service Resources Mobilised:
  1 x LIGHT TANKER
  2 x HEAVY TANKER
  1 x OTHER
  1 x ROTARY WING: MEDIUM
  1 x PERSONNEL CARRIER

Parks and Wildlife Resources Mobilised:
  3 x LIGHT TANKER

Thunderstorm warning cancelled

Bureau of Meteorology

Cancellation Severe Thunderstorm Warning

For people in Western, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, East Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:11 pm Monday, 30 December 2019.

Weather Situation:
Scattered, gusty thunderstorms cross parts of Tasmania as a cold front approaches the west.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in Tasmania.

The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but further severe thunderstorms are expected to redevelop across parts of Tasmania this evening. Further thunderstorm warning will be issued if necessary.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should: 
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters. 
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500. 

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210.