Dry conditions across eastern Tasmania have prompted a warning of increased bushfire risk this spring, with fire authorities urging Tasmanians to prepare early.
The Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) has identified north-eastern Tasmania as an area of increased fire potential, with below-average rainfall contributing to the risk.
Tasmania Fire Service Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said Tasmania had experienced a mild winter, continuing a trend seen over the past five years.
“Western Tasmania received higher rainfall and moisture levels throughout the winter period whilst the eastern areas remain relatively dry,” he said.
“Strong spring vegetation growth in central regions will increase fuel loads and in turn increase the risk for fires early in the fire season.”
Lowe said Tasmania’s overall spring bushfire potential remained “normal”.
“Overall Tasmania spring bushfire potential is assessed at normal but there are areas of concern in the north and the northeast and east coast of Tasmania,” he said.
AFAC’s outlook also warns that bushfires can still occur in areas with a normal seasonal outlook.
Lowe said there were signs Tasmania could also see an early start to the fire season.
“We could end up with an early start to the season it all depends on what wind events eventuate,” he said.
“It’s also important to note that last year whilst Tasmania was set for a normal fire season we did see fires particularly in the north-east and the east coast that did impact communities and we did have significant loss of structures although those fires were quite small in area the impact on the communities was great.”
The government has started its fuel reduction program.
“We will push the limits of what we can burn moving in through spring and into summer to prepare the community as best we can,” Lowe said.
He said preparation was a shared responsibility between authorities and the community.
Tasmanians and visitors are being urged to download the TasAlert app and become familiar with their local community protection plan.
“We have over 170 community protection plans across communities across the islands,” Lowe said.
“We encourage residents to become familiar with those plans and plan their own bushfire plan with how it relates to those plans.”
