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Tasmania communities on alert after high winds fan bushfires Tasmania firefighters get upper hand but warn hot conditions may return
(about 7 hours later)
Cooler weather has helped Tasmanian firefighters get the upper hand in a series of bushfires in the state’s south, but a fresh burst of unseasonal spring heat looms this week.
The Tasmania Fire Service acting deputy regional chief, Mark Klop, said a weaker southerly airflow allowed fire-bombing aircraft to re-enter the battle and helped firefighters and Parks & Wildlife ground crews to bolster containment lines.
“We’re going to have very high temperatures in the southern region tomorrow, with severe fire conditions through to extreme fire conditions on Tuesday,” he said in Cambridge on Sunday.
Related: Firestorm: The story of the bushfire at Dunalley
High winds and hot weather have triggered a rash of bushfires across central and southeastern Tasmania where communities have been put on alert.High winds and hot weather have triggered a rash of bushfires across central and southeastern Tasmania where communities have been put on alert.
TFS Advice at #Orford. More info at https://t.co/bPzTRMUmXj
A fire at Lower Marshes, near Oatlands, was burning uncontrolled late on Saturday and could shower homes on Rotherwood Road with ash and embers.A fire at Lower Marshes, near Oatlands, was burning uncontrolled late on Saturday and could shower homes on Rotherwood Road with ash and embers.
Related: Firestorm: The story of the bushfire at Dunalley Residents in Orford, Spring Beach and Rheban on the east coast have also been advised to keep watch for a bushfire that started in Buckland. Two roads have been closed to all but emergency vehicles in central Tasmania.
Fires were also burning on Plenty Valley Road in Glenfern, near Hobart, and north at Osterly and Penstock Lagoon, though there was no immediate threat to homes.Fires were also burning on Plenty Valley Road in Glenfern, near Hobart, and north at Osterly and Penstock Lagoon, though there was no immediate threat to homes.
Two roads have been closed to all but emergency vehicles in central Tasmania. Klop said total fire ban may be declared on Tuesday as heat and high winds threaten to again flare fires in the region, particularly around Orford, Osterley and Glenfern.
Residents in Orford, Spring Beach and Rheban on the east coast have also been advised to keep watch for a bushfire that started in Buckland. Fire crews are monitoring the blaze though high winds have hampered firefighting efforts. Winds gusted up to 100km/h on Saturday, grounding firefighting helicopters and causing smoke and ash to billow.
Fire crews are monitoring the blaze though high winds have hampered firefighting efforts. “Fires under these conditions can be difficult to control,” TFS said.
“Fires under these conditions can be difficult to control,” Tasmania Fire Service said.
People near these bushfires are being urged to keep abreast of conditions by listening to local ABC radio and checking the TFS website.People near these bushfires are being urged to keep abreast of conditions by listening to local ABC radio and checking the TFS website.
Clear skies over #Tassie today, with temps in the low 20°s.  High 20°s in the south tomorrow, around 30° on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/P8jagg9Bi7
Klop urged landowners not to begin any new burn-offs until Wednesday, and to carefully monitor any existing burn-offs. He urged them to ensure everything, including stumps and logs, were extinguished.
“We have had some very dry conditions in the south, leading to the ground being very dry and fires will burn underground,” he said.
TFS advises people who have not prepared for bushfires to consider leaving for a safe place should things escalate.TFS advises people who have not prepared for bushfires to consider leaving for a safe place should things escalate.
There is a total fire ban in place for Tasmania’s central and southeast on Sunday, with permits required for the remainder of the state.
High-risk bushfire conditions are forecast to continue well into the week.High-risk bushfire conditions are forecast to continue well into the week.