Early start to danger season is ‘new normal’

AN early start to the fire season is the new norm, the Tasmania Fire Service has said, as firefighters continue to control blazes in the state’s South.

Although no new fires of significance were started yesterday, firefighters worked to contain uncontrolled blazes at Interlaken, Lake Crescent and Dennistoun Rd in Bothwell, as well as in Broadmarsh and in Lachlan.

This followed a day of fighting 20 active blazes statewide on Thursday. The fires were all at advice level about 7pm last night.

TFS District Officer Mark Dobson said bushfires that span days are unusual for October.

“Unfortunately I think it’s our new normal,” Mr Dobson said.

“If we look at what’s happening with bushfire seasons in southern Queensland and northern NSW particularly this year, they’re starting earlier and they’re extending longer and that naturally extends down to Tasmania.

“So it’s not unusual to have fires in October but to have campaign fires which go days and days is quite unusual.

“It means that we’re realistically looking at a five to six month bushfire season when it’s usually about six to eight weeks, so that’s the reality this year.”

He said conditions for today were looking less risky.

“We’ll still have elevated fire danger in some areas, it’ll still be in the high range.”

“We’re expecting temperatures to be in the mid 20s but the wind speeds should be fairly moderate.”

Those in fire-affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant.

Lightning was forecast for the West and South-West today — and rain for most of the state.