The fire was reported just after 2pm today and has already burnt through at least 71 hectares.

It is being pushed east and properties on the Bridport Road south-east of Lefroy are expected to come under threat this afternoon.

Smoke and ash has been reported as falling on Lefroy and Lefroy Road, Bridport Road and Pipers River Road are closed.

A spokeswoman for the Tasmania Fire Service said hot and windy conditions made the fire difficult to control.

``The fire is moving fairly fast and it's in an area where there is dispersed property through the bush,'' the spokeswoman said.

Twelve fire trucks and two water-bombing planes are working to contain the blaze.

A fire at Glen Dhu Road at Molesworth in the Derwent Valley is at an emergency alert level, and residents on Glen Dhu Road are being told to evacuate now.

For updates, see fires.tas.gov.au