A hut on Tasmania’s renowned Overland Track has been destroyed by fire.
Aerial images taken on Wednesday afternoon confirmed the Pine Forest Moor Hut had been claimed by a bushfire burning in the area.
Parks and Wildlife Liaison Officer Brendon Clark said the first reported loss of a structure came as a blow.
“While this outcome is not what we had hoped for, it reiterates that we are in a dynamic and challenging situation with these fires,” he said.
“Our efforts to protect high value natural and cultural assets, including sensitive alpine vegetation are at this stage looking positive, however weather conditions continue to present challenges.”
Clark yesterday said infrastructure at Sandy Cape remained intact, with authorities expected to release an update this afternoon.
The West Coast is currently under a severe weather warning, with forecasts predicting destructive winds reaching speeds of 90km/h today.
The bushfires have now consumed more than 50,000 hectares of remote wilderness, according to the most recent assessment.
