FIRE crews successfully defended homes from an uncontrolled bushfire burning in steep grassland north-east of Hobart yesterday.
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More than 20 crews and four helicopter water-bombers tried to control the Risdon Vale blaze, which started about 2pm.
Downhams Road, Kings Road, Flagstaff Gully Road and some Tasman Highway residents were placed on watch-and-act alert and were told to activate their bushfire plans.
The Tasmania Fire Service cut power to 17,000 homes about 4.30pm because of the danger that it posed to crews. Power was reportedly restored by 7pm and senior station officer Phil Douglas did not expect communities to be affected overnight as the threat was downgraded to advice level.
"When the fire first started, there were some homes which required direct fire suppression around them to protect them," he said. "That was successful because at that early stage the fire hadn't grown to a larger size.
"I don't believe that communities at this stage, the way the weather's going, will be impacted on overnight. But that's something I can't guarantee."
Hobart's temperature reached 34.7 degrees yesterday, with Tasmania's horror bushfire season showing no sign of slowing down.
Although a total fire ban has not been implemented for the state today, the Fire Service will not issue permits.
Also yesterday, Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters managed to contain two fires on Hunter Island in the far North-West that was first reported on Sunday afternoon .
No buildings were threatened by the fires, and two helicopters and 14 firefighters remained on the island yesterday.