A series of fortunate events prevented disaster at Rupertswood Farm in Hagley when a fire broke out on Monday evening.
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The blaze hit a paddock earmarked to be used as parking for visitors expected to flock to the maze, while the farm is weeks out from opening to visitors.
Anna Clark, who owns the property with her husband Rowan, said they had made a plan the night before to disc up the field next week.
"We knew it was vulnerable ... and had noted the risk and knew to be careful," Mrs Clark said.
The Clark family had sat down for dinner on Monday evening, when they got the call from a neighbour about smoke coming from the paddock.
"Rowan had raced off, then I raced off with the kids and as we drew closer we could see it," Mrs Clark said.
"Our next door neighbour, Greg Gibson, was ploughing in his paddock.
"He packed up and started ploughing around the fire - the gate was even locked - but he was madly racing around by the time we had got there.
"The Westbury Fire Brigade had a fire practice night going, so all of them were there and everyone got here quickly. Really it was only a minute or two from reaching the trees."
Even Mrs Clark's 10-year-old daughter was on hand to assist, helping to race sheep to another paddock.
She said the maze catching fire was never a worry.
"The maze is fine, it's a tropical jungle in there," she said.
"We make sure to moderate the risks with our maze, it's why we open for a shorter period than others."
The Tasmania Fire Service was called out at about 8pm to the vegetation fire on Hagley Station Lane.
Three units from the Westbury Fire Station attended.
"The premises was handed back to the land owner, and no investigation was required," a Tasmania Fire Service spokesperson said.
Mrs Clark counted her fortunes that the fire was quickly extinguished.
"It's incredible how quickly everyone was there," she said.
"If it had happened tonight [Tuesday] we wouldn't have all been there."
The design of this year's maze will be reveal on Wednesday. The public will be able to visit from March 4 and a gala day is being held on March 5.
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Molly Appleton
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
