TASMANIANS in the North-East are urged to be vigilant against the use of fire today with warm temperatures and dry conditions combining for a “very high” fire danger rating, peaking in the afternoon.
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Temperatures will be in the high 20s from Launceston to St Helens and across the North-East and will not begin to drop until a sea breeze crosses the state in the late afternoon.
Tasmania Fire Service is asking landowners to avoid grass slashing or mowing.
Regional fire controller Danny Richardson said the community needed to look out for one another and avoid the use of fire in the open.
“This includes fires under a cubic metre which don't need a permits,” he said.
“We are also asking landowners to reconsider the need for grass slashing or mowing, just one spark from a rock or the heat from a hot exhaust can start a fire which will spread quickly in (Saturday’s) forecast conditions.
“TFS is well prepared for (Saturday) but the community plays a big part in reducing the risk of uncontrolled fire in the landscape by exercising caution on days of high fire danger and by reporting fires they see by calling Triple Zero.”
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Matthew Thomas said high temperatures, dryness and low humidity would combine today to create dangerous fire conditions.
“The maximum fire danger is in the North-East, central north, midlands and parts of the east coast,” he said.
“The humidity is getting down to around 15 to 20 per cent for these regions, and higher on the east coast where they get the sea breeze.
“There could be showers developing in the afternoon, but there won’t be any more than one millimetre.”
Northern Tasmania could see higher danger ratings on Tuesday as temperatures reach the high 20s again, before some relief next weekend.