UPDATE TUESDAY:
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Police are continuing to hunt for those responsible for a bushfire at Rocherlea that spread across more than 59 hectares.
The deliberately-lit blaze started on Monday afternoon and saw more than 60 career and volunteer firefighters working together to protect nearby buildings.
Crews continued to fight the fire overnight Monday and throughout Tuesday.
Tasmania Fire Service officer Steven Richardson said about 12 crews were on the ground as well as three helicopters and two fixed-wing planes in the air.
They were fighting tough terrain and winds up to 45km/h, he said.
“The fire was growing quite rapidly … it wasn’t just the size of it, it was the terrain that it was in.
“It was a mix of vegetation … the fire moved quite quickly across the grass, which then allowed it to get into the thicker vegetation and the trees.”
Firefighters remained at the scene on Tuesday afternoon and with temperatures in the 30s predicted for the North later in the week, Mr Richardson said TFS had started rostering on crews for the rest of the week.
While two teenagers were charged over seven fires in the same area on Sunday night, Launceston Inspector Darren Hopkins said Monday’s blaze was still being investigated.
Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which can be done anonymously.
EARLIER:
Youths are believed to be behind a bushfire that spread across several Launceston suburbs on Monday afternoon.
Multiple Tasmania Fire Service crews, including a water bombing aircraft, were fighting the blaze from about 3pm.
About 60 career and volunteer firefighters were involved in the battle.
The fire started at the back of Reservoir Road at Rocherlea, but smoke travelled across Mayfield, Mowbray and Ravenswood, sparking an advice warning from Tasmania Fire Service.
Police were forced to direct traffic on Vermont Road at Mowbray as the fire travelled close to the RSPCA’s animal care centre on Cavalry Road.
But RSPCA Tasmania reassured the public the “animals were all fine”.
“There is lots of smoke, but at the moment, no flames visible … the dogs have a sprinkler system along the top of the kennels, and all the doors and windows in the other areas are closed, so the animals are quite safe,” they said on Monday night.
It was the second deliberately lit blaze at Rocherlea in less than 24 hours, with two 15-year-olds expected to be summoned to court over a fire in the area on Sunday night.
Police allege the youths lit seven separate fires, causing one large blaze.
Launceston Inspector Darren Hopkins said officers were patrolling Rocherlea about 5pm when they noticed the fires and then found the teenagers nearby.
“This is an excellent example of the proactive approach Tasmania Police is taking to prevent and detect bushfire offenders during peak times of fire risk,” he said.
Inspector Hopkins said nobody had been charged over Monday’s bushfire, but police suspected youths were behind the incident.
“Some information has already been received, but anyone who might know who was responsible should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
TFS crews were expected to continue working on the Reservoir Road blaze overnight with firefighters still at the scene at 7pm.
The incident comes ahead of extreme temperatures predicted in the North later this week and the possibility of a total fire ban.
EARLIER:
Rocherlea residents are being warned about a bushfire in the area.
While there is no immediate threat to homes, Tasmania Fire Service said the fire on Reservoir Road may be difficult to control.
Traffic is also being diverted at the Remount Road and Vermont Road intersection at Mowbray with smoke visible behind the racecourse.
Two heavy tankers, three light tankers, two medium tankers and two aircrafts are attending the blaze.
Tasmania Police is also at the scene.
A Rocherlea resident said he was at a friends place when he saw the fire and realised it was behind his house.
The man said "you could see smoke right across Mayfield towards the back of Rocherlea ... and flames"
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
What to do:
- People in Rocherlea should keep up to date online at www.fire.tas.gov.au.
- Well prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.
- If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.
- If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.