Multiple aircraft will be dispatched to scan for potential fires across Tasmania today after a severe storm and thousands of lightning strikes smashed the state overnight.
The State Emergency Service say crews have responded to 12 storm-related incidents in the past 24 hours, with many occurring in the north and north-west of Tasmania.
Most of the calls were related to “heavy rainfall associated with thunderstorm activity” across Latrobe, Upper Burnie, Dunalley, Kings Meadows, Devonport and Hellyer on Wednesday.
Around 8,000 ground lightning strikes were recorded in the same 24-hour period, which the SES believe may have caused multiple fires in potentially remote locations.
A vegetation fire on Mannings Jetty Road in North Motton, southwest of Ulverstone, is believed to have been started by a lightning strike and is currently being monitored by the Tasmania Fire Service.
Another fire is burning in a plantation area on Mount Hicks Road, south of Wynyard, with a cause that is unknown at this stage.
“Further high fire danger is expected on Saturday across most of the state,” the SES say.
“High Fire Danger ratings are in place across Furneaux Islands, Central North, North East, East Coast, Midlands and the South East.”
Nearly 1,000 people remain without power due to severe weather conditions and overhead line damage, which TasNetworks say crews are working quickly to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so.
READ MORE: ‘We’re underwater’: Tasmanian school flooded after torrential downpour
Heavy rain in the north-west of the state also led to a vehicle becoming stuck in mud on Castra Road in Abbotsham earlier this morning.
Police say approximately 100 millimetres of mud covered an area near the intersection of Bellingers Road.
