A major bushfire that cut off Coles Bay on Tuesday afternoon remained uncontained and was still being battled by fire crews on Thursday evening.
The fire spread rapidly on Tuesday due to strong winds, prompting a ‘severe danger’ warning and evacuation notices to locals in the area.
TFS Incident Controller Scott Vinen said that while the fire was currently considered uncontained, there was limited fire activity and small-scale burns are underway to consolidate boundaries near Friendly Beaches Road and Airfield.
Vinen said some of the northern areas of the fire were still burning on Thursday night, with 35 personnel working on consolidating fire edges and opening tracks to limit fire progression.
“While the fire remains at Advice level – Monitor Conditions, smoke is highly visible in the area. Please obey reduced speed limits along the Coles Bay Road and drive with caution if the smoke is impacting on your journey,” Vinen said.
“Some damage to Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and private assets have been observed within the fire impacted area. SES personnel are currently undertaking assessments to determine the extent of the damage.”
Vinen believes the fire has now burnt an estimated 750 hectares of both private and national park land.
“Over the course of the next few days, planning to consolidate the northern boundary of the fire will take place, which is expected to require significant work including the burning of inaccessible terrain.”
Fire investigators are continuing to work to determine the cause of the blaze.
