A vegetation fire that closed part of Tasmania’s main highway was sparked when slashing equipment struck a rock, investigators have found.
The fire broke out near Cleveland Lagoon in the Northern Midlands on Tuesday afternoon, sending thick smoke across the Midland Highway and forcing police to put traffic diversions in place.
Tasmania Fire Service acting regional chief Steve Richardson confirmed the blaze was accidental.
He said a landowner had been operating slashing equipment when the blades hit a rock, producing a spark that ignited dry vegetation.
The fire spread towards Nile Road, prompting authorities to issue a bushfire advice warning for the area.
Firefighting aircraft carried out water-bombing operations as ground crews worked to contain the blaze.
TFS crews remain on the scene today, supported by machinery, as they work to fully contain the fire.
The fire service said the incident was a timely reminder for landowners to take extra care when operating machinery capable of producing sparks in dry conditions.
“Just one spark from a rock or the heat from a hot exhaust can start a fire which may spread quickly in high fire danger weather,” a spokesperson said.
A similar fire also broke out near Scottsdale yesterday and is believed to have been caused by slashing equipment.
The incidents come just weeks after a destructive blaze on the east coast, where a fire sparked by an escaped fire pit destroyed two houses at Stieglitz and burned about 1,200 hectares.
TFS fire investigator Tim McKay previously said the December fire was caused by burning material escaping while a property owner disposed of household waste.
“Tasmania, while beautiful, is fire-prone,” he said. “One spark in the wrong place at the wrong time is all it takes to put lives and property at risk.”
