UPDATE SUNDAY 10.55AM
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Tasmania Police advise the public to take appropriate precautions when travelling near St Helens due to a bushfire southwest of the town.
Smoke has reduced visibility on the Tasman Highway south of St Helens.
“Motorists should be mindful of appropriate speed and stopping distances given the challenging visibility of the area,” Tasmania Police says.
UPDATE SATURDAY 7.50PM:
Tasmania Police Service advise that there is no immediate threat to St Helens residents, but that fire under these conditions can be difficult to control.
The fire has burned 36 hectares of bushland.
For updates, listen to ABC local radio or check the TFS website at www.fire.gov.au.
UPDATE 5.57PM:
Tasmania Fire Service have issued a Watch and Act message for Flagstaff Hill, south of St Helens.
Flagstaff Hill may be at high risk within the next hour, as the fire will be difficult to control.
The size of the bushfire is currently at four hectares.
There may be embers, smoke, and ash in the area.
Tasmania Fire Service urge those in the area to start taking action to protect their families and their homes, and if families are not prepared for a bushfire, to be ready to leave for a safer place.
UPDATE 4.58PM:
Tasmania Police are advising the public avoid the Trafalgar Track area at St Helens due to the bush fire burning in the area.
Roads around Argonaut Road are closed due to the fire.
EARLIER:
Tasmania Fire Service are responding to a vegetation fire at Brooks Road in St Helens.
The three hectare fire has entered bushland and is travelling towards Flagstaff Lookout.
A spokesperson from Tasmania Fire Service said “quite a few” resources are attending the scene.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.