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/