OUR RED OCTOBER

FIREYS SCRAMBLE AS SEASON STARTS EARLY

FIREFIGHTERS and homeowners are on high alert after more than 20 fires flared around the state. The most serious was at Lachlan in the Derwent Valley, where firey Les Horsey, below, and his colleagues were called into action after an emergency alert.

LACHLAN residents remained on high alert last night after an early season bushfire threatened the small Derwent Valley town.

An emergency alert was issued for the town about 5pm, as firefighters responded to more than 20 fires fanned by high winds and fuelled by tinder-dry vegetation, in what has marked an early start to the bushfire season.

There also was a watch and act alert in place for a fire at Bluff Rd, Elderslie, and three advice alerts for fires in Lefroy, Scamander and Electrona.

The threat at Lachlan eased as night fell and winds dropped. About a dozen firefighters remained on-site at the Lachlan fire station about 8pm, as crews took turns patrolling and extinguishing spot fires at Moss Bed and Top Swamp roads. Three water-bearing helicopters had helped to extinguish the blaze, which began at Glenfern Rd.

The fire had picked up quickly with wind changes, and had put parts of the Lachlan township at “very high risk” for several hours.

Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Peter Tavasz said the blaze had taken a “massive run” over the hills from the steep and rugged terrain behind the town.

He said although the fires came close to a few properties, fire crews had worked closely to extinguish spot fires putting homes at risk.

He said crews still had “no idea” what sparked the fire, which burned out of control for several hours.

“The residents of Lachlan were given emergency warnings to be vigilant and be prepared for the fire coming over the area,” he said.

“It put a lot of spot fires in and around the area among the houses. A lot of residents did stay with their properties and I was quite happy for them to do that because they

did have adequate resources and water.”

Mr Tavasz said conditions were looking favourable for controlling any spot fires today, but temperature rises tomorrow and Friday were of concern.

However, he said residents were currently “quite safe”, adding firefighters would continue patrolling the area throughout the night before fresh crews took over in the morning. Access to the township was blocked to all traffic apart from residents for several hours, with warnings that smoke, ash and embers could make the roads “very dangerous”.

Resident Jordan Ferguson said the area had been “pretty thick” with smoke on lower Swamp Road. “I was choking,” she said. “It was really smoky up near my sister’s house, it was really bad.”

A smoke alert was also issued yesterday for greater Hobart. Acting Deputy Chief Officer Shane Batt said the TFS was considering declaring a Total Fire Ban for tomorrow and Friday for the southern region.

“In addition, TFS will declare the fire permit period for the whole state from 2am Thursday. However, between now and then we discourage landowners from starting fires on their property,” Acting Deputy Chief Officer Batt said.

“What we have seen today is fires that start easily in dry vegetation and develop quickly. The last thing we need is more fire in the landscape ahead of Thursday and Friday.

“The threat of fire will remain over the coming days and the bushfire season is now here.

“We need people to stay alert and report all fires straight away to triple-0.”

Hobart temperatures for both tomorrow and Friday have been forecast to reach 30C.

The first warning of the day came at 12.08pm when a watch and act alert was issued for the fire at Scamander.

Break O’Day Mayor Mick Tucker said the fire was burning in scrub and moving away from houses.

Cr Tucker said Parks and Wildlife had conducted burnoff leading up to the fire season, and fires in recent years had reduced some of the fuel loads in the bush.

Break O’Day community services manager Chris Hughes said the bushfire came a day before two East Coast community pre-fire season briefings scheduled for today, one at St Marys at 5pm at the St Marys Hall, and the other at 7.30pm at the Portland Hall in St Helens.

“It’s really important that people start getting ready for the fire season,” she said.