Campfire bans will be enforced across several national parks and reserves in Tasmania from Tuesday as dry conditions increase the risk of bushfires.
The ban will apply to campgrounds in King Island, Flinders, Dorset, Break O’Day, Glamorgan/Spring Bay, Sorell and Narawntapu National Park.
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said the restrictions are necessary to protect visitors and communities.
“Our priority is community and visitor safety and preventing bushfires from starting. Eliminating abandoned, escaped or poorly constructed campfires is part of our community and visitor safety strategy,” she said.
“We want to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable camping experience and appreciate assistance from visitors and the community in complying with fire restrictions.”
The ban prohibits campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel stoves, but gas stoves and barbecues are still permitted.
Upper soil layers are particularly dry in parts of the east and south-east, where several uncontrolled private fires have already occurred.
Last year, there were 285 reports of unattended or illegal campfires on PWS-managed land.
