An additional 1200 hectares of national park and 700 hectares of private land will be deliberately burned this weekend in a bid to contain a bushfire near Coles Bay.
The east coast blaze, which started on Tuesday afternoon, prompted the evacuation of residents in Friendly Beaches and burned an estimated 750 hectares land.
TFS Deputy Chief Matt Lowe said with favourable weather conditions forecast from now until mid-next week, the necessary burn will “provide future protection” for the Coles Bay community and protection of critical infrastructure including road and power services as well as the national park.
“People are advised that there will be smoke highly visible in the area as the burn takes place but we will actively plan and monitor conditions to ensure this is minimised as much as possible,” Lowe said.
Around 60 firefighters, 20 fire appliances, 3 aircraft and heavy machinery will be used to control the fire.
“This burn will create a large, strategic area of fuel reduced vegetation in a fire prone environment, which will also complement future planned fuel reduction burns on reserved land and private tenure in the vicinity of the current fire,” he said.
“These activities will consolidate the fire in its entirety to natural fire breaks and the sea, which is inaccessible at this stage.”
“Coles Bay, Swanwick and the whole of the Peninsula are recognised as being at high risk from bushfire and by including the area north of the fire into the fire fighting activities, this will consolidate the fire and provide long term protection for the Coles Bay community and local tourism operators.”
PWS State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said it was important people near the fire zone stay informed about conditions in the area, including after the fire is under control.
“Part of keeping people safe means some areas of our parks and reserves may be closed to the public during and after fire,” Edwards said.
“At present, the Friendly Beaches campground and other nearby areas are closed and will remain closed until a comprehensive assessment of the area can be completed.”
Fire investigators are continuing to work to determine the cause of the fire, which remains at ‘Advice level – Monitor Conditions’ in the areas of Swanwick, Coles Bay and Friendly Beaches.
