Firefighters are concentrating their efforts on containing more than a dozen bushfires burning on Tasmania’s West Coast.
17 fires are currently active across the region, many sparked by lightning earlier in the week, Tasmania Fire Service Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said.
Overnight weather conditions helped prevent a fire near the Overland Track, which prompted evacuations and a total closure on Wednesday, from spreading “significantly”.
“The fire remains almost 5km from the track,” Lowe said. “We are working closely with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to plan for further containment works today using both aerial and ground assets.”
“These containment works will include back-burning operations and community members should expect to see more smoke in the air as a result.”
A watch and act warning is in place for the Overland Track, while six advice warnings remain active for Zeehan, Corinna, Savage River, Pieman Head and Rosebery.
A prepare to leave warning is in effect for the remote Sandy Cape area.
“These fires have burnt through an estimated 10,800 hectares and while there is no threat to communities at the moment, containing them is our priority,” Lowe said.
“Encouragingly, the fire on the outskirts of Zeehan is expected to be contained today.”
Three additional aircraft are being flown in from interstate to assist the 15 already deployed.
They will be used for spotter flights, mapping and water bombing.
“Our thanks and appreciation go to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, who are providing two of those aircraft to support our efforts,” Lowe said.
