Focus shifts to recovery
BOTH rebuilding and firefighting efforts were under way in Tasmania’s Central Highlands yesterday as burnt power poles were replaced while water bombers flew overhead to control the ragged edges of the still-burning Great Pine Tier fire.
On Lake Augusta Rd, sprinklers were used to protect Marcos Ambrose’s Thousand Lakes Lodge fishing lodge.
“The sprinklers, owned by Parks and Wildlife Service, proved very successful, while backburning has protected heritage huts and other properties around Brandum, Liawenee and Reynold’s Neck,” Chris Ems from the PWS said at Miena yesterday.
The fire has burnt 55,000ha and there were active blazes on 40 per cent of its perimeter yesterday, much in remote and difficult terrain. Eighty firefighters were on the ground.
“We are focused on tidying up the ragged edges from the fire’s run on Sunday,” Mr Ems said.
“The forecast rains won’t put the fires out but will make inroads, especially in remote areas.
“The crews are fatigued but committed to doing what is needed to pull it up.”
The Great Pine Tier fire was one of 15 bushfires still burning around Tasmania yesterday. It, the Riveaux Rd blaze in the Huon Valley and the Gell River fire in the southwest wilderness were keeping firefighters the most busy.
Fires in inaccessible areas near Glen Huon were water bombed yesterday.
Tasmania Fire Service Station Officer Darren Gye said crews tried to tie in the fire edge with back burning in places from Glendevie to Geeveston, however prevailing winds yesterday pushed the fire towards the Arthur Ranges.
There were also bushfires in the far North-West around Britton’s Swamp and on the West Coast near Zeehan.
Rain started falling in the North yesterday and widespread thunderstorms were expected around the state today.
Police and Emergency Minister Michael Ferguson said while firefighters continued their efforts, the State Government had also moved into recovery mode, setting up a Bushfire Recovery Taskforce.
He praised the efforts of all involved in the state’s six-week firefighting effort.
“I am optimist about the prospect of rain on Thursday and showers into Friday. But we cannot be complacent. A watch and act message can soon become an emergency.”
The TFS echoed that message.
“These fires will continue to remain a risk to communities for some time yet,” it said.
Meanwhile, Tasmania Police issued a fresh warning about the use of drones after they received a report of one flying in the area of the Great Pine Tier fire.
The drone was allegedly seen flying near Poatina Road in the Central Highlands yesterday but it did not affect air operations.
The report came less than a week after police were called to investigate a drone sighting in a bushfire-affected area near Arve Rd at Geeveston.
Tasmania Police also interviewed and referred a 37-yearold Howrah drone pilot to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority after an incident on Christmas Day.
Also yesterday, authorities said it was important to remember that even when an environment appeared safe there could be other risks to be considered such as electrical and infrastructure damage, trees which had the potential to fall and escaping animals.