Updated 8:30pm, Thursday February 13: The Tasmania Fire Service is continuing to ask people on the West Coast to monitor conditions as several alert-level bushfires continue to burn.
An earlier evacuation warning for Zeehan now advises people it is “not safe to return”.
“There is an uncontrollable bushfire at Yellowband Plain. This fire is expected to put Zeehan and surrounds at high risk overnight,” authorities say.
“The fire is travelling towards Zeehan. Conditions are expected to be changeable.”
Earlier: Authorities have told people in and around the West Coast town of Zeehan to evacuate now if it is safe to do.
“An uncontrolled bushfire … is expected to put lives in danger and may destroy unprepared homes on the outskirts of Zeehan in the next one to two hours,” the Tasmania Fire Service warned bust before 6pm on Thursday.
“Fire conditions are expected to be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.”
The fire, which started at Yellowband Plain, is currently travelling south towards Zeehan.
“There is expected to be thick smoke and showers of embers which may cause fires all around you,” the fire service said. “Fires will move quickly and may come from many directions.”
A safe location has been setup at the Queenstown Sports Stadium, while a “place of last resort” is open at Zeehan Primary School on Belstead Street.
“If you are out of the area do not try to return,” authorities said. “Only travel if it is safe for you to do so.”
“If you don’t have a safe route to a safer place, shelter inside the nearest building, regularly checking your surroundings and putting out any fires near the building until the fire passes.”
Follow the latest fire warnings on TasAlert.
