2.30PM UPDATE:
COLES Bay Road south of Apsley River and the Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill are at very high risk from the East Coast fire front this afternoon.
The bushfire is not controlled.There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Bicheno, Friendly Beaches, Coles Bay Road south of Apsley River and Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill .
The following roads are closed: Friendly Beaches Road, Courland Bay Road, Tower Hill Fire Trail, Harvey's Farm Road, Coles Bay Road for inward traffic and Tasman Highway from the Coles Bay turnoff to Bicheno.
10.30AM UPDATE: An uncontrolled fire is burning across 2500 hectares on the East Coast. The Tasmania Fire Service says the bushfire is burning at the Tasman Highway, Bicheno.Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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COLES Bay Road south of Apsley River and the Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill are at very high risk from the East Coast fire front this afternoon.
There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Bicheno, Friendly Beaches, Coles Bay Road south of Apsley River and Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill .
The following roads are closed: Friendly Beaches Road, Courland Bay Road, Tower Hill Fire Trail, Harvey's Farm Road, Coles Bay Road for inward traffic and Tasman Highway from the Coles Bay turnoff to Bicheno.
COLES Bay Road south of Apsley River and the Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill are at very high risk from the East Coast fire front this afternoon.
There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Bicheno, Friendly Beaches, Coles Bay Road south of Apsley River and Tasman Highway south of Tower Hill .
The following roads are closed: Friendly Beaches Road, Courland Bay Road, Tower Hill Fire Trail, Harvey's Farm Road, Coles Bay Road for inward traffic and Tasman Highway from the Coles Bay turnoff to Bicheno.
The fire danger rating is very high and fire under these conditions can be unpredictable and may not be controlled.
During the morning, the fire may affect communities at Butlers Point, Courland Bay, Friendly Beaches and Harvey's Farm Road.
Friendly Beaches Road, Courland Bay Road, Tar Hill fire trail and Harvey's Farm Road are closed.
The Tasmania Fire Service says it is likely too late for residents to leave the area, with residents told to activate their bushfire plans or leave, if the path is clear
EARLIER: Glamorgan-Spring Bay Mayor Bertrand Cadart was among the Bicheno residents preparing to evacuate their homes yesterday afternoon as a result of the 30-hectare uncontrolled bushfire that threatened the region.
Yesterday's fires on the East Coast threatened properties and forced road closures throughout the Bicheno and Coles Bay region, with the danger at its greatest near the Apsley River and at Friendly Beaches.
The bushfire near the Tasman Highway south of Bicheno closed Harveys Farm Road, Friendly Beaches Road, Courland Bay Road and Tar Hill Fire Trail.
Properties at Butlers Point and Courland Bay were also threatened.
The Tasmania Fire Service said the fire was expected to swing south and reach Friendly Beaches late last night.
A safer place was identified at Courland Bay Beach, while the Swansea Sports Oval was set up as an evacuation checkpoint.
Cr Cadart said his home was not in immediate danger, but added he was prepared to leave if necessary.
"I've got my precious things packed up in my in my car and I'm ready to leave just in case," Cr Cadart said.
"So far I have not needed to flee, but I am praying that the wind does not make a severe change."
A second fire in the region also closed Friendly Beaches Road, Cape Tourville Road and affected properties at Freshwater Lagoon near Coles Bay.
The White Water Wall and South Friendly Beach campgrounds were closed and campers in Freycinet National Park were advised to leave the area.
