Last summer’s bushfire season was rated normal. Buildings still burned at Dolphin Sands and St Helens.
This spring, north-east Tasmania’s risk is rated higher than normal and fire agencies are urging residents to prepare now.
Below-average rainfall is forecast across the north-east, the Furneaux Group and the east coast over the coming months, which the agencies say lifts the risk above the rest of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology delivered its seasonal outlook in Launceston today alongside the Tasmania Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife and Sustainable Timber Tasmania to assess spring preparations.
Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said the rest of the state was rated normal, but that did not mean the risk was low.
“Bushfires will occur and we must be prepared,” Lowe said.
“The season was rated as normal last year and that resulted in significant fires in Dolphin Sands and St Helens that impacted communities significantly and resulted in the loss of many structures.”
“Those fires, while small in size, moved quickly and caused significant damage and there is potential for those areas of the east coast to be affected again.”
Lowe said spring rain needed to be significant to stop widespread dryness taking hold.
“If we don’t get that rainfall to return moisture to the environment and to the soil layers, then it certainly raises the potential of above-normal bushfire activity for spring and early summer,” he said.
The agencies say they are ready for the season.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania fire manager Dean Sheehan said the organisation had about 200 firefighters rostered from October 1 to April 30.
Sheehan said this was backed by more than 100 appliances and 24/7 AI-enabled cameras that pick up smoke early.
Parks and Wildlife state fire manager Katy Edwards said the agency had more than 160 fire personnel, including 18 seasonal recruits, plus more than 50 people trained for incident management.
Fuel reduction burns are moving into the spring program, with councils and land managers preparing to burn when conditions allow.
Lowe urged residents to act now rather than wait.
“Know your risk, develop and practice bushfire plans, clean up yards and paddocks, clear roof gutters and remove flammable waste from around the home,” he said.
Residents can get alerts and warnings through the TasALERT website or app.
