Media release – DPFEM, 7 February 2025 

Firefighting efforts continuing to focus on containment in state’s west coast

Tasmania’s firefighting agencies are continuing to respond to bushfires in the state’s west coast today, with firefighters focusing on containment.

Tasmania Fire Service Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said there are currently 19 incidents in the region, with some of the warnings for the area downgraded today.

“The Corinna, Sandy Cape and Pieman Head warnings are now all under one Advice warning for Arthur Pieman Conservation Area. This includes the Mount Donaldson fire,” he said.

“The Yellow Band Plains fire remains under the Savage River and surrounds warning.”

“The fires have burnt through an estimated 16,000 hectares and while there is no threat to communities at the moment, containing them is our priority.”

“We are continuing to conduct containment works, including mechanical, backburning and aerial operations, and community members should continue to expect to see smoke in the air.”

“This smoke may reach as far as Devonport depending on the wind conditions.”

“I want to thank each and every one of our firefighters for their ongoing efforts, as well as those behind the scenes who are working diligently to support our people in the field.”

“Our Remote Area Teams have been incredibly successful in their winching operations, getting us access to locations we would not otherwise be able to reach.”

“I also want to thank the community for their ongoing support and understanding as we work to bring these fires under control.”

Featured image above courtesy TFS. 

Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Police, Fire, and Emergency Management spokesperson, 7 February 2025

Statement on West Coast Fires

The Greens are deeply grateful for the ongoing tireless efforts of our extraordinary emergency response personnel to help protect communities and our irreplaceable environmental assets on the west coast. A huge number of resources, both mechanical and personnel, have been deployed and thankfully the fires have so far not posed an immediate threat to any communities.

We understand crews have been winched into the Huon pine stands in takayna, and will assess any damage. Many Tasmanians are anxiously waiting for news from our brave fire crews on the impacts. Of particular note is a Huon pine, HAR09, which is estimated to be one of the oldest trees on the planet.

Crews have also done tremendous work ensuring Overland Track walkers have been turned around to safety and that asset protection back burning is underway.

Mount Proteus, the Windermere plateau and Pine Forest Moor, are exceptionally special places of cultural and natural heritage values, home to ancient pencil pine groves and towering King Billy pines. The fire in this part of the Wilderness World Heritage Area will remind people of the devastation caused in 2016 and in 2019. Many Tasmanians are awaiting confirmation that the pine stands have not been affected, and that sections of the Overland Track are also protected.

The government must look at the present situation and see why we must continue to invest more in our firefighting capacity under worsening climate change, and why we must sensibly prioritise protecting natural heritage, as we do built heritage. In a biodiversity crisis our intact ecosystems are a global asset.

From both the 2016 and 2019 fire events came a series of critical recommendations from the Federal Government, some of which that have not been fully implemented. These must be a priority once the current emergency situation recedes.

We stand with our incredible emergency response crews on the ground and those in transit to lend a hand, as well as their families, as they continue to work to protect some of this island’s most precious places.

Media release – Dr Mark Veitch – Director of Public Health, 7 February 2025

Tasmanians reminded how to stay safe from bushfire smoke

Smoke from Tasmanian bushfires is affecting towns in the north-west and parts of northern Tasmania. Smoky conditions are expected to continue during the bushfires and may affect different places in Tasmania over the coming days.

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, has reminded Tasmanians how to stay safe if it is smoky from bushfires.

“Keeping safe from fire danger is always the highest priority, so make sure to follow emergency advice,” said Dr Veitch.

“People at higher risk from smoky conditions include older people, babies, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with medical conditions such as lung disease or asthma, diabetes or heart disease,” Dr Veitch said.

Know how to stay safe, including how to reduce your exposure to smoke.

“If you’re likely to be in smoky conditions for more than a day or two, consider if you can safely temporarily relocate to a place unaffected by smoke. This is particularly important for those at higher risk from smoke.”

Know what to do if it is smoky:

  • If you have a medical condition, make sure you can manage your symptoms and medications, and do all you can to avoid smoke.
  • Stay indoors and avoid physical activity outdoors.
  • Keep household doors and windows closed; if possible, turn home air-conditioners to re-circulate indoor air.
  • If safe to do so, consider temporarily staying with a friend or relative away from the smoke-affected area.
  • If safe to do so, and available, consider visiting a nearby air-conditioned space like a shopping centre, library, or cinema.
  • Specialised P2/N95 masks will filter smoke particles but need an airtight seal on your face to work; this can be difficult to achieve, particularly for children. If you have heart or lung conditions, ask your doctor about using masks safely.
  • Consider using a portable air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, set up in a well-sealed room the right size for the filter.
  • If you need medical advice, contact your GP, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call 000.

For more information:

Media release – Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, 7 February 2025

Overland Track to remain closed until 23 February to aid bushfire response

To ensure public safety and assist with bushfire response efforts, the Overland Track will remain closed until Sunday 23 February 2025.

It is planned to reopen on Monday 24 February 2025.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) North-West Regional Manager and Incident Controller Nic Deka said fire crews were facing challenging conditions.

“The Overland Track closure is being extended for two weeks to ensure the fire boundaries are contained and there is certainty of our ability to keep walkers safe,” Mr Deka said.

“Firefighters are dealing with challenging conditions today and these will continue for at least the next week. The closure will enable impact assessments and works that may be necessary to reopen the track.”

Anyone who has booked to undertake the PWS Overland Track walk during the track closure will be provided a full refund. Contact the booking team on 1300 827 727 or [email protected]

Cradle Mountain remains open and the Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus is fully operational. Only the multi-day walks on the Overland Track are currently affected.
Visitors are urged to check the following websites for updated information.

Fire updates: www.TasALERT.com

Park and track closures: www.parks.tas.gov.au/alerts and www.fire.tas.gov.au

Road closures and community alerts: police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 5 February 2025

Rockcliff, Abetz to blame if ancient Huon Pine burns.

Bob Brown says Premier Rockliff and Forestry Minister Abetz are derelict in not ensuring the 3,000-year-old Harman River Huon Pine in takayna was safe from the wildfire which has burnt to within 100 metres of it. The tree remains threatened and, Brown says, the two will be responsible if it burns. They must give the takayna fires huge attention instead of their cold shoulder.

Rockliff and Abetz are doubly culpable, Brown says.

“Firstly, their forest regeneration burns are a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet and effectively fanning bushfires. Second, they did diddly-squat about protecting this ancient Tasmanian heirloom tree even when the fire threatened to reduce it to a pile of ash. No water bombing. No fire crews. Nothing.

Brown’s call comes after the 2019 bushfires in which 15 of the 25 tallest trees in Tasmania were incinerated because they were ignored by the Liberal government.