Tas crews focus on protecting property
18 years, 3 months ago

Tas crews focus on protecting property

ABC  

Firefighters in Tasmania are continuing back-burning and property protection in the north-west of the state. Fire service spokesman Jeff Knight says the fire has burnt out almost 19,000 hectares and the fire perimeter is around 100 kilometres. "A lot of work has been done between the main fire that went down through Four Mile Creek and Elephant Pass road," he said. "They're still working in the Nugent area where we had some problems late last week and they're still working on patrolling in an around the northern end," he said. "They've got crews moving through the built-up areas, just checking on those areas as well as strenghtening control lines and doing some back-burning and mopping up."

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Bushfires threatening communities on Tasmania's west coast as rain relief nowhere in sight
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Bushfires threatening communities on Tasmania's west coast as rain relief nowhere in sight

ABC  

Shack owners on Tasmania's west coast are banding together as authorities urge them to "take shelter now" from bushfires. 'Very challenging' conditions for firefighters Nic Deka, incident controller for the Parks and Wildlife Service, said authorities had been battling "very challenging" bushfire conditions overnight including 70kph north easterly winds and high temperatures. 'Mini-city' built for firefighting base-camp Inspector Brendan Doyle, …

Firefighting effort on Tasmania's west coast continues as wilderness areas burn
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Firefighting effort on Tasmania's west coast continues as wilderness areas burn

ABC  

The Tasmania Fire Service is planning for a "longer-duration fire event" as they fight several bushfires with "challenging" weather conditions, including hot weather and little rainfall, forecast in the coming days. Firefighters urging those who can leave to do so Speaking to ABC Northern Tasmania on Tuesday afternoon, incident controller Steven Richardson said two people remained in Corinna. Mr Smith …

Firefighting efforts ramp up in Tasmania ahead of high danger days
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Firefighting efforts ramp up in Tasmania ahead of high danger days

ABC  

Firefighters are preparing for increased fire danger as they battle 16 blazes in Tasmania's remote west, including one that has "impacted" a 1.6-kilometre section of the popular Overland Track. State Fire Commander Matt Lowe said the three fires of most concern were the Canning Peak fire, which has affected the Overland Track, and the Yellowband Plain and Mount Donaldson fires …

Heat wave leads to warnings of potentially devastating wildfires in southern Australia
3 months ago

Heat wave leads to warnings of potentially devastating wildfires in southern Australia

Associated Press  

NEWCASTLE, Australia — Communities and firefighters across Australia’s second-most populous state were preparing Thursday for potentially devastating wild fires as a heat wave fanned by erratic winds presented the worst fire conditions in several years. “Firefighters, I can say, are doing everything possible to protect life and protect property.” An emergency warning was issued by fire authorities for the small …

Bushfires could break containment lines amid extreme heat and strong winds, CFS warns
5 years, 2 months ago

Bushfires could break containment lines amid extreme heat and strong winds, CFS warns

ABC  

Bushfires currently burning in South Australia could break containment lines, putting residents at higher risk, during another wave of extreme heat which will cross the state on Friday. Key points: The CFS says it is particularly concerned about the fire situation on Kangaroo Island Fires could break containment lines as winds strengthen and temperatures rise above 40C The CFS has …

Firefighters battle to save residents and properties from NSW South Coast bushfire
5 years, 3 months ago

Firefighters battle to save residents and properties from NSW South Coast bushfire

ABC  

Firefighters and aircraft have spent the night attacking a massive, fast-moving bushfire threatening six beach communities on the New South Wales South Coast. Key points: The fire reached the coast on Tuesday and spread quickly towards Kioloa, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach and Durras North Residents in those areas, as well as Termeil and Flat Rock, are urged to shelter and …

NSW fires destroy homes, leave people trapped as RFS fights 15 emergency blazes
5 years, 4 months ago

NSW fires destroy homes, leave people trapped as RFS fights 15 emergency blazes

ABC  

The NSW Rural Fire Service says two houses have been destroyed and people are trapped in their homes, as an unprecedented bushfire emergency grips the state. The RFS said firefighters were in "uncharted territory" and at the peak of the crisis, a record 17 blazes burned simultaneously at emergency level. RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said parts of the M1 motorway …

Tasmania fire crisis has seen almost 200,000 hectares of land burnt out since it started, TFS estimates
6 years, 1 month ago

Tasmania fire crisis has seen almost 200,000 hectares of land burnt out since it started, TFS estimates

ABC  

Hundreds of local, interstate and overseas firefighters are still battling blazes in Tasmania as the state's bushfire crisis enters its sixth week. The Tasmania Fire Service said a total of 24 fires were still burning across the state, with an estimated 195,000 hectares burnt out since the first fire at Gell River was reported after Christmas. Firefighters plan attack in …

Backburning underway as Tasmanian fire crews prepare for dangerous conditions
6 years, 1 month ago

Backburning underway as Tasmanian fire crews prepare for dangerous conditions

ABC  

Fire crews in Tasmania are gearing up for a potentially dangerous Sunday, with backburning operations underway around communities in the Huon Valley on Saturday. Key points: Fire crews are preparing for dangerous fire conditions escalating on Sunday No rain is forecast for fire-ravaged areas in February Fire incident information is on the Tasmania Fire Service website About half of the …

Tasmania's bushfires threat 'volatile' despite weather reprieve, third worker injured
6 years, 1 month ago

Tasmania's bushfires threat 'volatile' despite weather reprieve, third worker injured

ABC  

A third firefighter has been injured during Tasmania's ongoing bushfire threat. Key points: The temperature has dropped but threat to the Huon Valley remains high Watch and act alerts remain in place Details on the TFS fire alerts list Emergency information on ABC Local Radio The Sustainable Timbers employee was struck by a tree limb while fighting a blaze in …

Tasmania Fire Service not expecting reprieve despite predicted cool change
6 years, 2 months ago

Tasmania Fire Service not expecting reprieve despite predicted cool change

ABC  

Residents of Tasmania's Huon Valley face another anxious night with warnings towns could come under threat of ember attacks. What you need to know now: There are 12 emergency warnings across the state: nine in the south and three for the Central Plateau For the latest fire updates listen to ABC Local Radio or visit the TFS website Check the …

Emergency warnings issued for Huon Valley in Tasmania as bushfire threatens townships
6 years, 2 months ago

Emergency warnings issued for Huon Valley in Tasmania as bushfire threatens townships

ABC  

Relentless, out-of-control bushfires burning across Tasmania had firefighters working around the clock on Sunday, with no reprieve in sight. Key points: Authorities said next week would be challenging, with some rainfall but also continued hot weather predicted Several fires were still threatening communities in the south-west, Central Plateau, south and north-west The fire in the Central Plateau doubled in size …

Fire damage in Tasmania's south-west wilderness revealed in new photos
6 years, 2 months ago

Fire damage in Tasmania's south-west wilderness revealed in new photos

ABC  

New photos have revealed the extent of the damage by a large fire burning in national park in Tasmania's south-west wilderness. Firefighters brace for warm weather The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a "very high" fire danger until Friday, as hot to very hot conditions are expected in parts of Tasmania. Tourists fined, thrown out of park for lighting fire …

NSW crews fly in to back up Tasmanian firefighters on massive Gell River blaze
6 years, 2 months ago

NSW crews fly in to back up Tasmanian firefighters on massive Gell River blaze

ABC  

Fire crews are bracing for difficult conditions over the next 48 hours at the Gell River blaze in south-west Tasmania, as reinforcements arrive from New South Wales. Key points: There is a high fire danger and total fire ban in southern Tasmania Specialist firefighters from NSW will be dropped in by helicopter today at the northern edge of the blaze …

Specialist fire teams and tools used to fight blaze still burning in south-west Tasmania
6 years, 2 months ago

Specialist fire teams and tools used to fight blaze still burning in south-west Tasmania

ABC  

Fire crews are using planes and infrared technology and trialling new methods to fight a bushfire in Tasmania's south-west that is expected to burn for weeks. Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Rod Sherrin said the favourable conditions overnight had limited the fire's progress. Sprinklers on frontline but rain the key Despite the favourable weather forecast, Mr Sherrin said the fire …

An area larger than Perth torched by out-of-control bushfire in WA
6 years, 5 months ago

An area larger than Perth torched by out-of-control bushfire in WA

ABC  

An area larger than Perth has been torched as an out-of-control bushfire burns in the country's north-west. Fighting fire with fire Emergency services use control lines, also known as firebreaks, with strategic backburning to contain fires this size. "You can't put water on a fire that big because it is ineffective," Mr Mueller said. "It's one hour to fly the …

Tathra bushfire: RFS rejected help from Fire and Rescue saying it would have been 'dangerous'
7 years ago

Tathra bushfire: RFS rejected help from Fire and Rescue saying it would have been 'dangerous'

ABC  

The NSW Rural Fire Service has defended its decision to reject help from Fire and Rescue NSW, which offered to send its urban firefighting trucks twice during the early stages of Sunday's Tathra bushfire. Key points: Sunday's fire ravaged the town of Tathra, destroying at least 69 homes and damaging 39; no lives were lost The fire jumped the river …

Tasmanian bushfires: Firefighters gear up for at least four more weeks battling blazes
9 years, 1 month ago

Tasmanian bushfires: Firefighters gear up for at least four more weeks battling blazes

ABC  

The Tasmania Fire Service has planned for another month of bushfire operations, but is expecting blazes to continue burning in remote areas for weeks after. Regional Fire Chief Jeremy Smith said there was still a significant number of fires burning. "There isn't any long-term forecast for rain, so we're putting plans in place for four weeks to ensure that we …

Tasmania's wilderness the battleground for remote area firefighting crews
9 years, 1 month ago

Tasmania's wilderness the battleground for remote area firefighting crews

ABC  

Remote area firefighters have been working in Tasmania's World Heritage-listed wilderness since fires ignited several weeks ago. Remote Area Teams, known as RATs, consist of specially-trained career firefighters from the Tasmania Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife. "The last two days we've cut our way into this area, we've run a hose lay to get water supply to this area," …

Tasmanian bushfires: Damage to Wilderness World Heritage Area to be assessed by specialists
9 years, 1 month ago

Tasmanian bushfires: Damage to Wilderness World Heritage Area to be assessed by specialists

ABC  

Two teams of scientists and bushfire experts are due to start investigating the extent of damage fires have wrought on Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area on Wednesday. Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Gavin Freeman said the teams would be partly made of experts from interstate, who are from a variety of fields. An estimated 2 per cent of the …

Tasmanian bushfires: 'Downpour' need to extinguish remote blazes, Tasmania Fire Service says
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian bushfires: 'Downpour' need to extinguish remote blazes, Tasmania Fire Service says

ABC  

Fire authorities have warned significant rainfall is needed to extinguish dozens of blazes burning out of control in remote areas of Tasmania's west and north. Key points: Dozens of remote fires started in early January from lightening strikes Firefighters suspect arson in other fires close to towns Remote area specialists are being dropped into difficult terrain A total fire ban …

Tasmanian bushfires: NSW, ACT send firefighters to help as state battles dozens of bushfires
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian bushfires: NSW, ACT send firefighters to help as state battles dozens of bushfires

ABC  

NSW and ACT emergency services agencies are sending 140 people to assist in the bushfire emergency in Tasmania. no significant rainfall on the horizon, local resources are understandably stretched," NSW Rural Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. The remote area specialists being sent are made up of 60 NSW RFS firefighters, 20 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters, and 20 …

Tasmanian bushfires: Fire service will 'investigate and prosecute' if fires deliberately lit
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian bushfires: Fire service will 'investigate and prosecute' if fires deliberately lit

ABC  

Fire crews will investigate whether an out-of-control bushfire in Tasmania's north was deliberately lit. A total fire ban remains in place across Tasmania until midnight on Tuesday, and another 16 areas have bushfire advice level warnings Extra resources considered if TFS asks: Treasurer The Tasmanian Government would provide more resources for the state's firefighters if needed, Treasurer Peter Gutwein said. …

Tasmania bushfires: Mawbanna fire upgraded to watch and act, amid four-day fire ban
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmania bushfires: Mawbanna fire upgraded to watch and act, amid four-day fire ban

ABC  

A bushfire warning for an uncontrolled fire near Mawbanna in Tasmania's north-west has been upgraded to watch and act. Key points: Total fire ban across state until midnight Tuesday More than 41,000 hectares burnt out 140 firefighters coming from interstate Weather conditions easing but TFS warns against complacency The Tasmania Fire Service said firefighters were unable to determine the front …

Tasmanian fires burning out of control prompt residents to evacuate
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian fires burning out of control prompt residents to evacuate

ABC  

Out-of-control bushfires are still raging in Tasmania's north-west, with several communities at risk from falling embers. Key points: Fires have burnt through 36,000 hectares Teenagers questioned about deliberately lit fire at Black River Watch and act alert issued for Liena and Lorinna More than a dozen small communities issued advice warnings Marshmelody music festival cancelled Watch and act alerts have …

Total fire ban for Tasmania's north as 80 blazes stretch resources and tax crews
9 years, 2 months ago

Total fire ban for Tasmania's north as 80 blazes stretch resources and tax crews

ABC  

There will be a total fire ban in the north and north-west of Tasmania today, as 80 fires burn across the state. Key points: Total fire ban declares for north and north-west on Tuesday 80 fires burning across Tasmania, highest number since Dunalley fires 2013 Backup firefighters may be called from interstate It is the highest number since firefighters battling …

Tasmanian firefighters tackle west coast bushfires amid fears of worsening conditions
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian firefighters tackle west coast bushfires amid fears of worsening conditions

ABC  

Health officials are warning of high smoke levels as firefighters try to make inroads on more than 40 bushfires burning in remote areas on Tasmania's west coast. Key points: More than 40 fires burn in the north west and west coast regions People advised against travelling to affected areas Management centres set up in Burnie and Zeehan Smoke plume can …

Tasmanian firefighters work to contain lightning strike blazes
9 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian firefighters work to contain lightning strike blazes

ABC  

Lightning strikes overnight have sparked nearly 50 fires in Tasmania, mostly on the West Coast and in the Derwent Valley. The Tasmania Fire Service said about 20 fires were still burning, with some on the West Coast being monitored on the ground. "It seems to have gone up along the West Coast and then we've got them through the Derwent …

Esperance bushfire: Fire burning near Mullet Lakes downgraded to watch and act; homes may still be threatened
9 years, 4 months ago

Esperance bushfire: Fire burning near Mullet Lakes downgraded to watch and act; homes may still be threatened

ABC  

Fire authorities in Western Australia have downgraded the threat level of a fire burning to the east of Esperance to watch and act. The fire broke containment lines near Mullet Lakes, east of Esperance, earlier on Saturday. "This fire got away a little bit this afternoon with the strong south-easterly winds and the fire intensity increased and the fire front …

Live: Fire threat eases across southern Australia
12 years, 2 months ago

Live: Fire threat eases across southern Australia

ABC  

Cooler weather across New South Wales and Victoria has given fire crews a chance to get on top of about a dozen fires still burning across the south-east of the country. The NSW Rural Fire Service says of the 84 fires burning across the state, the blaze causing the most concern is near Coonabarabran in the north-west, which covers 53,000 …

Fierce bushfires remain fatality free
12 years, 2 months ago

Fierce bushfires remain fatality free

ABC  

Hopes are rising that there may not have been any lives lost despite the ferocity of Tasmania's devastating bushfires. Firefighters are still trying to contain bushfires at Curries River in the state's north and Montumana in the far north west. The Tourism Industry Council's Luke Martin says the Tasman Peninsula has been hardest hit, but Bicheno and Coles Bay are …

Tasmanian fire threats downgraded but alerts remain
12 years, 2 months ago

Tasmanian fire threats downgraded but alerts remain

ABC  

Tasmanian fire crews are working overnight to control dozens of bushfires, but the immediate threat to some communities has passed. The Tasman Peninsula fire that has already destroyed 100 properties in the state's south-east has moved in two directions - to the south towards Eaglehawk Neck and to the east towards Marion Bay. The strong winds earlier forced police to …

Gillard visits Tasmania as bushfires burn
12 years, 2 months ago

Gillard visits Tasmania as bushfires burn

ABC  

Prime Minister Julia Gillard hailed "great mateship at a difficult time" during a visit to bushfire-hit Tasmania today, as a makeshift flotilla ferried supplies into the cut-off Tasman Peninsula. "I've come to Tasmania today for one purpose, and that's to say to the people of Tasmania that the nation is standing with them at this very, very difficult time," she …

Conditions ease as Tasmanian crews battle bushfires
12 years, 2 months ago

Conditions ease as Tasmanian crews battle bushfires

ABC  

Easing conditions have offered some much-needed respite to crews fighting more than 40 bushfires around Tasmania. Loading Backburning is continuing around fires in other parts of the state, including Epping Forest in the Northern Midlands, Lake Repulse in the Derwent Valley, and on the Tasman Peninsula. On Monday police started escorting about 100 car loads of people who have been …

Fears for missing residents as fire fighting continues
12 years, 2 months ago

Fears for missing residents as fire fighting continues

ABC  

Tasmanian police say about 100 people are missing and several hundred have been displaced by bushfires that have ravaged the state over the past three days. "That's not to say that those people necessarily have come to any harm, but obviously we can't totally eliminate that until we've had confirmed contact with those individuals," he said. "Those people will be …

Stories of survival emerge from Tas inferno
12 years, 2 months ago

Stories of survival emerge from Tas inferno

ABC  

Stories of survival and courage are emerging from the bushfires which have devastated entire communities across parts of Tasmania. "They hopped in the car and went further along, nearly to Connelly's Marsh, and they ended up on a point and as the fires got nearer, they were in the water and just walked out further and further," he said. "When …

Thousands stranded as fires devastate Tasmania
12 years, 2 months ago

Thousands stranded as fires devastate Tasmania

ABC  

At least 100 properties have been destroyed and thousands of people have been left stranded by bushfires that are continuing to rage out of control in Tasmania. "The breeze is still up, not quite as bad as it was for us yesterday, of course, but we are expecting still to be chasing uncontained fire, fire crews reacting to that and …

More homes destroyed as fires downgraded
12 years, 2 months ago

More homes destroyed as fires downgraded

ABC  

Two major bushfires in Tasmania which had forced hundreds of residents to evacuate have been downgraded but authorities say some homes have been lost. The Forcett fire, east of Hobart, has spread and is still active at Taranna and near the larger communities of Forcett, Eaglehawk Neck and Dodges Ferry. Chief fire officer Mike Brown says the fire has been …

Tragic scenes as fires destroy homes across Tas
12 years, 2 months ago

Tragic scenes as fires destroy homes across Tas

ABC  

Thousands of residents and tourists are stranded across parts of Tasmania after bushfires destroyed more than 100 properties and cut off communities. Bushfire updates: Tasmania Fire Service website Listen to ABC936 Hobart For information on friends or relatives affected by the Tasmanian bushfires call 1800 727 077 Hundreds of people have been stranded on the Tasman Peninsula for two days …

Fires rage across Tasmania
12 years, 2 months ago

Fires rage across Tasmania

ABC  

There are unconfirmed reports that one person has died as out of control bushfires rage across parts of Tasmania destroying homes and businesses. 11:13pm: WARNING UPDATE FOR FORCETT FIRE: The Tasmanian Fire Service says The communities of Bream Creek, Copping and Boomer Bay are being impacted by fire now and it is now too late to leave. 9:37pm: WARNING UPDATE: …

Fire crews contain mid-north SA bushfire
13 years, 4 months ago

Fire crews contain mid-north SA bushfire

ABC  

Firefighters in South Australia's mid-north have battled a bushfire through the night, but are confident they have it contained. The Country Fire Service says the threat from a grass fire near Gladstone has reduced and roads in the area are being reopened. "We've got a mixture of cropping country, grassland and also some heavily vegetated timbering areas and some acacia …

Midlands fire emergency over
16 years, 2 months ago

Midlands fire emergency over

ABC  

Police expect to re-open Tasmania's Midland Highway soon after a fire burnt both sides of the road. Heavy rain in the northern midlands has helped fire fighters control a fire which has burnt paddocks on either side of the highway between Powranna and Epping Forest. The fire burnt quickly along the highway fanned by strong winds and reached the fence …

Fire threat continues in north-east Tas
16 years, 2 months ago

Fire threat continues in north-east Tas

ABC  

Firefighters in Tasmania are preparing for another day of high fire danger. Crews hope to contain a fire in the Northern Midlands which burnt about 650-hectares of property yesterday, destroying crops, killing sheep and threatening homes. But the Fire Service says a fire at Rossarden in the Fingal Valley is the main focus, as worsening winds later in the week …

Tas bushfire jumps highway
17 years, 2 months ago

Tas bushfire jumps highway

ABC  

A bushfire in Tasmania's north-east has crossed the Tasman Highway in several places, and it is feared may threaten St Helens if not controlled. The Tasmanian Fire Service's acting chief officer, Mike Brown, says the steep, heavily forested terrain is difficult for fire crews to work in. "There's several properties around the eastern and south eastern ends, scattered farm properties …

Crews plan back-burning through night
18 years, 2 months ago

Crews plan back-burning through night

ABC  

Victoria's fire authorities are hoping to complete a 30-kilometre back-burn overnight around a fire burning in Victoria's north-east. A separate fire at Hermit Mountain in the remote north-east of Victoria, near the New South Wales border, is burning out of control near Tom Groggin station. "New South Wales were assisting Victoria yesterday, we had something like 11 aircraft working on …

Crews move to contain new fire
18 years, 3 months ago

Crews move to contain new fire

ABC  

Tasmanian fire crews are dealing with another outbreak near residential areas, this time in the north of the state. The rain around Scamander and Fingal has done little to dampen the flames but it has affected back-burning attempts on the north-western front of the fire which has now burnt more than 28,000 hectares. The fire is blowing smoke and ash …

Tas crews monitor Four Mile Creek blaze
18 years, 3 months ago

Tas crews monitor Four Mile Creek blaze

ABC  

Fire crews are continuing to monitor the eastern coastal area of Four Mile Creek in Tasmania after fire burnt to the sea yesterday. Blackened bushland stretches from high up in the hills behind Four Mile Creek and down to the water's edge. "Things have quietened down considerably since in that hectic flurry of fire activity around Four Mile Creek yesterday …

Fire crews focus on protecting homes
18 years, 3 months ago

Fire crews focus on protecting homes

ABC  

The Tasmanian Fire Service says efforts will focus on property protection after homes were lost in a bushfire on Tasmania's east coast. The fire jumped containment lines this afternoon and burned through the holiday town of Four Mile Creek, south of Falmouth. Two houses have been destroyed and there is concern for two others at Davis Gully south and inland …

Crews battle Scamander blaze
18 years, 3 months ago

Crews battle Scamander blaze

ABC  

Tasmanian firefighters are still battling to control a big fire burning on the state's east coast. Tasmania Fire Service spokesman Danny Reid says houses in that area could be threatened today. Mr Reid says the southern end of the fire near St Marys is also of concern if the weather forecast for this afternoon eventuates. "The fire has covered over …

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