Local juniors in cricket challenge

Captain Jack

THE inaugural Southern Country Challenge was held in Hobart on the Queens Walk, Cornelian Bay and Bell St ovals on January 14-15. Six teams competed in six matches each, including two from the Derwent Valley. These were the Gretna Grizzlies, made up of players from the Gretna juniors, and the Derwent Valley/West Coast Warriors which had players Molesworth, New Norfolk and the West Coast.

Both teams did very well, with the Grizzlies finishing fourth and the Warriors sixth. The other teams were Channel Cavaliers who defeated Brighton/Southern Midlands Magic in the final, along with Huon Hornets who finished third and Tasman Trailblazers who finished fifth.

A big thank you must go to all coaches assisting the teams. I believe many games left parents and spectators on the edge of their seats, in particular Kylie Booth who just couldn't seem to sit down at all. Congratulations to all players that participated.

Jack Stevenson, Ryan Banks-Smith, Nathan Rice and Ryan Emery went on to represent the Northern Hobart Country Region in the Statewide Country Challenge. Congratulations to Jack Stevenson who was appointed captain of the team. The matches were played over two days in Hobart with the team doing very well and finishing second. Well done boys.

WADE GLEESON

Back from left: Ryan Emery, Sam Booth, Jack Stevenson, Grant Booth, Blake Eyles and Adam Bartels. Front: Blake Mayne, Jack Hills, Josh Eyles, Ryan Banks-Smith and Ryan Browning. Photo: Tania Stevenson

Conditions easing at Molesworth

Tasmania Fire Service
Bushfire Advice Message

MOLESWORTH  
 
Current from:11/02/2013 06:20 PM    until:  13/02/2013 09:59 AM   or further notice

There is a large bushfire in the MOLESWORTH area.

The fire danger rating in this area tonight is low-moderate. Due to the terrain and local weather, fire under these conditions can be difficult to control .

Smoke from this fire may affect the communities of New Norfolk, Molesworth, Collinsvale, the northern suburbs and Mount Wellington.

There is no immediate threat to communities. This bushfire is currently not controlled.

Reported Road Closures:  Nil. For up-to-date information on road closures for this fire refer to the Tasmania Police website.

The Community Fire Refuge at Carinya Education Park, New Norfolk, is now closed.

Operations:

• Crews may continue backburning operations around Haney Rd tonight. Tomorrow crews will with the assistance of machinery, will be working on the fire edge around the Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd and Ringwood Trail area.
• The main fire activity continues on the western edge of the fire just south of Ringwood Rd. There is also activity on the south-eastern edge to the north of the East-West Trail through to Collins Bonnet in very steep and inaccessible terrain.

What to do:

• Check your bushfire plan now; well constructed and prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.
• If you don’t have a bushfire plan or your plan is to leave, consider leaving the affected area for a relative or friends place if conditions worsen, only if the path is clear.
• Unless you are a resident or have urgent business, consider avoiding travel in this area.
• Stay informed in case conditions change.
• Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further information.

Community Information:

• Schools opening: Collinsvale and Molesworth primary schools will re-open as normal tomorrow, Tuesday, February 12. School bus services will also be operating as usual. 
• Safety: Roads may be affected by smoke. Please drive carefully and turn on headlights.
• Wellington Park walking tracks and trails: For up-to-date information on track and trail closures refer to Wellington Park website.

Attending Resources:
TFS Resources Arrived:
  8 x MEDIUM TANKER
  7 x LIGHT TANKER
  3 x HEAVY TANKER
  3 x TFS
  2 x CAR
  5 x PERSONNEL CARRIER
  2 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT

TFS Resources Mobilised:
  1 x LIGHT TANKER
  2 x MEDIUM TANKER
  1 x MECH SERVICE VAN
  1 x ROTARY WING: MEDIUM

Non-TFS Attending Resources:
  6 x Parks and Wildlife crews
  6 x Forestry Tasmania crews
  New South Wales Rural Fire Service remote area team

Molesworth, Lachlan, Collinsvale: remain vigilant

DUE to more favourable weather conditions overnight, the Molesworth fire was downgraded to "Advice" level. Residents in the area still need to remain vigilant as weather conditions may change in coming days.

The main fire activity continues on the western edge of the fire just south of Ringwood Rd, Lachlan. There is also activity on the south-eastern edge to the north of the East-West Trail through to Collins Bonnet in very steep and inaccessible terrain. 

Crews today, with the assistance of machinery, will be working on the fire edge around the Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd and Ringwood Trail area. Crews will also be undertaking backburning operations around Haney Rd.

The fire in this area is producing a considerable amount of smoke which will be visible from and may fall on the northern suburbs, Collinsvale, Molesworth. People in New Norfolk may also see an increase in smoke.

Tasmania Fire Service advice

The fire danger rating in this area is high. Fire under these conditions can be  uncontrollable and unpredictable.

Smoke from this fire may affect the communities of  Suhrs Rd, Myrtle Forest Rd, Springdale Rd, Old Springdale Rd, Fehlbergs Rd, Valley Rd, Fairy Glen Rd, Mount Hull Rd, Collins Cap Rd, Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd, Molesworth, Collinsvale, northern suburbs and Mt Wellington.

There is no immediate threat to communities. Parts of this bushfire are currently not controlled.

Reported Road Closures: Ringwood Rd is closed to the public (except residents). Roads may be affected by smoke. Motorists are advised to drive carefully and turn on headlights. For up to date information on road closures for this fire refer to the Tasmania Police website.

What to do:

• Check your bushfire plan now; well constructed and prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.
• If you don’t have a bushfire plan or your plan is to leave, consider leaving the affected area for a relative or friends place if conditions worsen, only if the path is clear.

• The Community Fire Refuge at Carinya Education Park, New Norfolk, is now closed.
• Unless you are a resident or have urgent business, consider avoiding travel in this area.
• Stay informed in case conditions change.
• Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further information.

Molesworth fire status downgraded

Tasmania Fire Service
Bushfire Advice Message

Glen Dhu Rd, MOLESWORTH  

Current from:10/02/2013 09:55 PM    until:  11/02/2013 09:59 AM   or further notice

There is a large bushfire at Glen Dhu Rd, MOLESWORTH.

The fire danger rating in this area is high. Fire under these conditions can be uncontrollable and unpredictable.

This fire may affect the communities of Suhrs Rd, Myrtle Forest Rd, Springdale Rd, Old Springdale Rd, Fehlbergs Rd, Valley Rd, Fairy Glen Rd, Mount Hull Rd, Collins Cap Rd, Ironstone Gully, and Ringwood Rd.

There is no immediate threat to communities. This bushfire is currently not controlled.

There may be smoke and ash falling on communities to the north-west of the fire at Ringwood Rd, and Ironstone Gully Rd. There may also be smoke and ash falling on communities from the south-east edge of the fire including Suhrs Road, Glenlusk, Collinsvale. 

Reported Road Closures:  Ringwood Road is closed to the public (excepting residents). Roads may be affected by smoke. Motorists are advised to drive carefully and turn on headlights. For up-to-date information on road closures for this fire refer to the Tasmania Police website.

What to do:

• Check your bushfire plan now; well constructed and prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.
• If you don’t have a bushfire plan or your plan is to leave, consider leaving the affected area for a relative or friends place if conditions worsen, only if the path is clear.
• Unless you are a resident or have urgent business, consider avoiding travel in this area.
• Stay informed in case conditions change.
• Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further information.

Community Information:

• The main fire activity is on the western edge of the fire just south of Ringwood Rd. There is also activity on the south-eastern edge to the north of the East-West Trail through to Collins Bonnet in very steep and inaccessible terrain.
• Communities will be affected by variable smoke conditions overnight due to expected wind changes of approximately 360 degrees with speeds of 5km/h and gusts up to 10km/h.
• During the evening smoke may impact on Lachlan and New Norfolk with winds out of the south-east and a change around 1am to the north-north-east driving smoke to the Huon Valley. Winds are then expected to change again around 4am to north-westerlies with smoke and ash falling on the Northern Suburbs and Mount Wellington. Winds will change once more around 7am to west with smoke and ash falling on Collinsvale and Glenlusk. Winds are expected to stay out of the west and west-north-west for the remainder of the morning which will have smoke over Mt Wellington and the Hobart City area.
• Crews tomorrow, with the assistance of machinery, will be working on the fire edge around the Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd and Ringwood Trail area. Crews are also undertaking property protection at the bottom of Ringwood Trail.
• The fire in this area is producing a considerable amount of smoke which will be visible from and may fall on the Northern Suburbs, Collinsvale, Molesworth. People in New Norfolk may also see an increase in smoke.
• Crews conducted backburning operations south of Ringwood Rd area which produced significant amounts of smoke around midday today. Crews will continue to monitor this area overnight.

Closure of Wellington Park walking tracks and trails
For up to date information on track and trail closures refer to Wellington Park website.

TFS Attending Resources:
Resources Arrived:
  12 x LIGHT TANKER
  4 x MEDIUM TANKER
  1 x HEAVY TANKER
  3 x TFS
  4 x PERSONNEL CARRIER
  1 x CAR

Resources Mobilised:
  1 x MEDIUM TANKER

Non-TFS Attending Resources:
  6 x Parks and Wildlife crews

6 x Forestry Tasmania crews

Molesworth bushfire update

THE main fire activity today is in the south-west to southern area around Ringwood Trail to East-West Trail through to Collins Bonnet in very steep and inaccessible terrain. Crews with the assistance of machinery are working on the fire edge around the Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd and Ringwood Trail area. Crews are also undertaking property protection at the bottom of Ringwood Trail.

There is active fire around Collins Cap Rd with the junction of Suhrs Rd. This is not causing any immediate threat to residents, but residents need to remain vigilant.

The fire in this area is producing a considerable amount of smoke and may be causing smoke and ash to be falling in many areas including the northern suburbs, Collinsvale, Molesworth and Mt Wellington. People in New Norfolk may also see an increse in smoke.

Bushfire briefing

MOLESWORTH residents have been urged to remain vigilant over the next few days while fire crews continue to tackle the large bushfire that has been burning uncontrolled since Wednesday afternoon. Addressing a community meeting at New Norfolk earlier today, Tasmania Fire Service senior station officer Phil Douglas said authorities know "to within one metre" of where the fire started on Glen Dhu Rd and its cause is under investigation.

Mr Douglas said cooler conditions today and tomorrow would allow more direct fire suppression to be carried out. The western side of the fire is of most concern to the fire service and while it did not pose an immediate threat to Lachlan Mr Douglas urged people in that area not to drop their guard.

The fire service is also keeping a watchful eye on the Malbina area, where the fire has reached about 500m the Transend power lines that supply Hobart, but there is no immediate threat to that infrastructure, Mr Douglas said.

Mr Douglas said the Molesworth fire was behaving unpredictably and in some cases was going against the wind. He said early morning and mid-afternoon were the main periods of concern each day and he urged anyone seeing a new fire start to call Triple Zero.

Molesworth bushfire update

Tasmania Fire Service
Bushfire Watch & Act Message

Glen Dhu Road, MOLESWORTH

Current from:10/02/2013 11:19 AM    until:  12/02/2013 02:59 AM   or further notice

There is a large bushfire at Glen Dhu Road, MOLESWORTH.

The fire danger rating in this area is high. Fire under these conditions can be  uncontrollable and unpredictable  .

This fire may affect the communities of Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Rd, Mount Hull Rd, Collins Cap Rd, Suhrs Road, Valley Rd, Myrtle Forest Rd, Fehlbergs Rd, Old Springdale Rd, Springdale Road and Fairy Glen Rd. 

This bushfire is currently not controlled. This bushfire may create spot-fires ahead of the main fire. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.

There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Ringwood Rd, Ironstone Gully, Suhrs Rd, Glenlusk, Collinsvale and Mount Wellington areas.

Roads may be affected by smoke and motorists are advised to drive carefully and turn on headlights.

Reported Road Closures:

• Glen Dhu Road and Ringwood Road are closed to the public (excepting residents)
• For up-to-date information on road closures for this fire refer to Tasmania Police website

What to do:

• Activate your Bushfire Survival Plan now
• If your home is well constructed, prepared and actively defended, it may provide shelter.
• If you don’t have a Bushfire Suvival Plan or your plan is to leave – leave now only if the path is clear.
• There is a Community Fire Refuge at Carinya Education Park next to 'New Norfolk High School, 103 Blair St.
• There are also Nearby Safer Places identified at Collinsvale War Memorial Hall at 14 Hall Rd and Malbina Cemetery at 100 Molesworth Rd.
• If you are away from home: Do not try to return to your home as the roads in this area could be highly dangerous.
• Non-residents should stay away from the affected areas.
• Monitor ABC Local Radio & TFS Website – www.fire.tas.gov.au for further instructions

 Community Information:

• The main fire activity is in the south west to southern area around Ringwood Trail to East-West Trail through to Collins Bonnet in very steep and inaccessible terrain.
• Crews with the assistance of machinery are working on the fire edge around the Ironstone Gully, Ringwood Road and Ringwood Trail area. Crews are also undertaking property protection at the bottom of Ringwood Trail.
• There is active fire around Collins Cap Rd with the junction of Suhrs Rd. This is not causing any immediate threat to residents, but residents need to remain vigilant.
• The fire in this area is producing a considerable amount of smoke and may be causing smoke and ash to be falling in many areas including the Northern Suburbs, Collinsvale, Molesworth and Mt Wellington.

Community Meetings

• Molesworth: Derwent Valley Sports Centre, Derwent Terrace, New Norfolk (near Boyer Oval), 1pm today (Sunday, February 10)
• Mountain River: Mountain River Community Hall, 263 Mountain River Rd, 3pm today (Sunday, February 10)

Advice to Glen Dhu Road residents
Glen Dhu Rd is open to residents, but closed to the public. Residents who are within this area need to be cautious of falling trees and branches and Aurora crews who are working within this area. There is still fire activity in this area with crews deployed to continue extinguishing and blackening out any fire edges. If there is any fire activity causing concern to these residents call Triple Zero.

Closure of Wellington Park walking tracks and trails
For up-to-date information on track and trail closures refer to Wellington Park website.

TFS Attending Resources:
Resources Arrived:
  6 x LIGHT TANKER
  5 x MEDIUM TANKER
  2 x HEAVY TANKER
  2 x TFS
  6 x PERSONNEL CARRIER
  1 x CAR

Resources Mobilised:
  1 x HEAVY TANKER
  1 x CAR
  2 x ROTARY WING: MEDIUM
  1 x PERSONNEL CARRIER
  1 x ROTARY WING: LIGHT