As it braces for lightning strikes combined with a heatwave, the TFS is asking Tasmanians not to take any chances and adhere to the total fire ban.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is already responding to a new fire at Bicheno first reported at 12.16pm on Saturday, with six vehicles and multiple aircraft attending the blaze.
There is no alert level on the fire.
A total fire ban is in place for all North and South municipalities until 2am Tuesday morning, and permits are required in the West.
Bureau of Meteorologist Tasmania severe weather manager Alex Melitsis said temperatures of up to 35 degrees were predicted for inland areas like Launceston and the Midlands on Saturday.
"On Sunday the temperatures will be a little cooler - but still into the low thirties," he said.
"But the hottest day for most of the state will be Monday, when we're expecting temperatures of mid to high thirties."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Parts of the South-East, including Hobart and the Derwent Valley will reach above 40 degrees on Monday.
"We rarely see temperatures getting to 40 in Hobart," Mr Melitsis said.
"All the hot air that's been sitting on the mainland will move over Tasmania, along with really strong north-westerly winds and low humidity. Add to that, most of the eastern parts of Tasmania and parts of the North are very dry.
"That's all going to combine to create a severe fire danger."
A "very active" band of lightning will cross the state on Monday night, starting in the West Coast and crossing the state by Tuesday morning.
"There will be some rainfall - about one to five millimeters - but that's not much, so there could be some new fire starts, especially where fuels are really dry," Mr Melitsis said.
Winds of up to 80 to 90 km/hr are possible on Monday night.
Mr Melitsis said there were not strong winds predicted for Saturday or Sunday.
From Tuesday onward there will be lower temperatures of the low to mid twenties but fresh westerly winds.
State Fire Controller Leon Smith said the community could not be too careful when it comes to the bushfire risk over the next three days.
"The fire danger rating [will be] Very High in some areas, and Severe to Extreme on Monday, particularly along the East Coast where a lot of holidaymakers will spend this weekend," he said.
Holidaymakers and residents are not allowed to light fires of any description, including campfires.
Gas stoves and gas or electric barbecues may be used provided they are clear of flammable material for a distance of one metre.
Mr Smith said a number of Tasmania's larger fires in recent years have been caused by campfires that were not been properly extinguished.
"We need to eliminate that risk given the conditions we are expecting," he said.
Mr Smith said any smoke seen should be treated as a bushfire during the ban, and the TFS should be notified immediately.
"The Tasmania Fire Service have increased aircraft and ground crew resources in strategic locations ready to respond quickly to any fire that breaks out," he said.
A 4913 hectare bushfire that was burning at Swansea for most of December is under control.
A number of fires throughout the state are not at any warning level, including near Bicheno; Springfield in the North-East; three in the South-West National Park; and Gretna, Tunbridge, Grove, Woodbury, and Gardners Bay in the South.
Mr Smith said people need to ensure they are aware of their local surroundings, including reviewing the local community bushfire protection plan and their Nearby Safer Place in the event of a bushfire in the area.
If they live in a high risk area and have a Bushfire Survival Plan they should review that now.
The total fire ban applies from 2am Saturday, December 28 until 2am Tuesday, December 31 and is in force in the following municipalities: Brighton, Central Highlands, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Glenorchy, Hobart, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Sorell, Southern Midlands, Tasman, Break'O'Day, Dorset, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, West Tamar, Flinders.
Information about current incidents, the fire danger rating, community protection plans and bushfire survival plans can be found at www.fire.tas.gov.au
Get the news in your inbox with our newsletters:
Frances Vinall
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
