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Forecast 90km/h wind gusts a ‘red flag’ for West Coast firefighting efforts

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A helicopter flies overhead to assist with firefighting efforts. Image / Tasmania Fire Service

Damaging winds forecast for Tasmania’s west and north-west have raised concerns among firefighting authorities.

Gusts of up to 90km/h are expected to impact the area where multiple active bushfires are currently burning.

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The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, predicting strong northeasterly winds will develop tonight and persist through Thursday morning.

Senior Meteorologist Simon Lewis said it will be very warm across Tasmania tonight ahead of temperatures in the thirties and strong winds on Thursday.

Severe weather warnings are a ‘red flag’ for firefighting operations. Image / TasAlert

“We have issued a severe weather warning for the potential for some gusts up to around 80-90km/h in the west of the state starting from overnight tonight and through into tomorrow,” he said.

“That increase in winds is ahead of a cold front that’s expected to reach the state tomorrow night.”

Remote area firefighting team on Wednesday. Image / Tasmania Fire Service

“We do expect some thunderstorm activity with the change on Thursday night, so there is some potential for some isolated lightning.”

The warning covers several western towns including Strahan, Queenstown, Zeehan, Waratah, Rosebery and Lake St Clair.

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State Fire Commander Jeremy Smith said the forecast conditions present significant challenges for firefighting efforts.

“Anytime when we get a severe weather warning it’s a red flag to our firefighting operations,” he said.

Senior Meteorologist Simon Lewis. Image / Pulse

“These winds will not only impact on the fire grounds but the aerial assets and their ability to fly and fly safely and effectively.”

“There’s no point putting these aircraft up when they’ve got water dropping and bombing to complete and the water doesn’t actually hit the areas where we need it to.”

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