A bushfire burning near Swansea on Tasmania’s east coast has forced authorities to issue a ‘Watch and Act’ alert.
The Tasmania Fire Service said the fire on McNeills Road was travelling east towards Dolphin Sands and was “expected to impact the area by 12:40pm” on Sunday.
Pulse understands the fire first broke out on Thursday afternoon and had been patrolled by crews since Thursday evening before flaring up again on Sunday morning.
“The fire is … not expected to cross the highway at this stage,” the fire service said on Sunday afternoon.
“The fire is expected to be difficult to control.” Tasmania Police have closed McNeills Road.
The fire service warned residents to expect dangerous conditions ahead of the main fire front.
“Embers, smoke and ash may threaten you and your home before the main fire,” it said. “It may become difficult to see and breathe.”
A separate ‘monitor conditions’ alert is in place for Swansea, where the fire service says there is “no immediate threat”.
The fire service urged anyone with a bushfire plan to check it immediately.
For fire updates, visit tasalert.com.
