Fire incident divisional commander Craig Perry, of Forestry Tasmania, monitors the fire at Montumana in the North-West.
STRONG winds forced the Tasmania Fire Service to issue an emergency warning yesterday afternoon for the fire that originated at Montumana on Saturday.
This forced some residents of Hellyer Beach, Edgcumbe Beach, Crayfish Creek and Rocky Cape to evacuate their homes and find safety at refuge centres.
Weather conditions resulted in the potential for the fire to threaten the Bass Highway and several communities from Crayfish Creek to Sisters Beach, but firefighters were able to avert that possibility.
At 9.15 last night, the TFS downgraded the alert level for the fire to a "watch and act" status, with the fire danger rating still forecast as being high.
A red-tinged setting sun created an eerie backdrop for those travelling along the Bass Highway, while a plume of thick, billowing smoke blanketed much of the region around Montumana and Rocky Cape.
The TFS reported there may still be embers, smoke and ash falling on the areas of Hellyer Beach, Edgcumbe Beach, Crayfish Creek, Sisters Beach and Montumana.
Rocky Cape Road, Montumana Road, Newhaven Road and Yanns Road all remained closed as at this time last night.
The TFS urged residents to ensure that their bushfire plan was in residents, and called for non-residents to stay aware from the affected areas.
Fire crews would remain on site throughout the night monitoring hotspots and continuing to strengthen control lines.
The fire has burnt through 3097 hectares to date since a lightning strike started it on Saturday morning.