Strathgordon and Pelham bushfire updates

UPDATE: The Pelham and Strathgordon fires have been downgraded to "No Alert" level this afternoon. See the Tasmania Fire Service "current bushfires" page for updates.

EARLIER: FIREFIGHTERS are working hard to consolidate bushfire boundaries ahead of warmer weather predicted towards the end of this week. Aircraft, machinery and remote area firefighters are all working to ensure community safety across the state.

The Tasmania Fire Service encourages the public to be prepared, remain vigilant and to have a Bushfire Survival Plan, as well as becoming familiar with nearby safer places and other information at www.fire.tas.gov.au

Pelham Rd: The fire that started on December 30 has burnt 2100 hectares of bushland. Final boundary consolidation is occurring for Joes Gully and areas of the southeastern corner of the fire. Boundaries between Honners Rd and Beamish Rd are being patrolled. Hotspots are being identified and extinguished on the southeastern corner. Remote area crews have been positioned on the northern edge and at Joes Gully to extinguish any harder-to-reach hot spots. Dangerous trees in Pelham Rd, Honners Rd, Horners Rd and Bluff Rd have been made safe and the roads have been re-opened with adjusted speed limits. This fire remains at Advice level. Click here for updates.

Pearce Basin, Strathgordon: This fire started on December 22 and has burnt 2730 hectares. Its spread has moved in a southeasterly direction. Crews are working to fully extinguish four main areas of this fire that have been identified as hot spots. Aircraft are supporting ground crews through waterbombing, as well as airlifting firefighters to areas with difficult access. An infrared scan flight will take place today to detect any further hotspots.  This fire remains at Advice level. Click here for updates.

Norske Skog and Lachlan Fire Brigade vehicles on duty at
Pelham on January 3.

UPDATES TO OTHER LOCAL FIRE INCIDENTS

Mill Rd, Collinsvale: A vegetation fire in Mill Lane, Collinsvale, has been contained after being reported at 2.22pm today.

Glenlusk: This fire started in the Collinsvale Rd area on January 2, covering an area of 3.6 hectares. It is under control and being patrolled at regular intervals. There may be visible smoke and fire activity within the burnt area for some time. Investigators determined that this fire started accidentally when hot coals were discarded from a fire pot on a total fire ban day.

Ellendale Rd, Ellendale: First reported on January 2, this fire has been controlled and is being patrolled at regular intervals.

Jefferys Track, Lachlan: The fire has been contained since first breaking out on December 20, and is being patrolled. There may be visible smoke and fire activity within the burnt area.

A temporary halt as dangerous trees are removed ahead of this
convoy into the Pelham fire area on January 3.

Sentinel Range, South-West: Aerial inspection has been completed and no signs of fire found. An infrared scan will be conducted. This fire was first reported on December 30 and is being patrolled by the Parks and Wildlife Service. There may be visible smoke and fire activity within the burnt area for some time.

Innes High Rocky, South-West: There may be visible smoke and fire activity within the burnt area for some time. This fire covered 12 hectares and was reported on December 22. It is now being patrolled by the Parks and Wildlife Service. Bushwalkers planning to walk in the South-West and West need to be vigilant for fires and smoke from lightning strikes that occurred on December 21. Lightning fires can lay dormant in the ground for several days prior to detection.

The Tasmania Fire Service says there is potential for another spike in weather conditions later in the week. If there is any fire activity causing you concern, report it to the TFS by calling Triple Zero (000).

Keep up-to-date by monitoring the TFS website and listening to ABC local radio.