Total Fire Ban for Southern Tasmania as Northern Permits Suspended

The Tasmania Fire Service has declared a Total Fire Ban for Southern Tasmania, and the issuing of fire permits will be suspended in Northern Tasmania, due to high to extreme fire weather conditions forecast across the regions.

TFS Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said the fire ban would be in place for Southern Region from 2am Wednesday on 4 February to 2am on Thursday 5 February 2026.

A suspension on the issuing of fire permits will be in place in the Northern Region between 2am Wednesday on 4 February to 2am on Saturday 7 February 2026.

“The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast high to extreme fire danger ratings for Wednesday and Thursday,” said Mr Lowe.

“We are paying particularly close attention to the East Coast and Midlands Districts, which are forecasted to have extreme fire danger during this time.”

TFS and its partner agencies, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania, will have strike teams positioned at key locations across the state during this period ready to react to bushfire threats.

“Due to increasingly dry soil conditions, it is necessary to suspend permits for an extended period in the north of the state.”

“These conditions make controlling any fires that do start difficult to control and significantly increases the likelihood of new fires starting and spreading rapidly, putting lives, property and firefighters at risk.”

The declaration of a total fire ban means that no fires are permitted in the open including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pots and wood-fuelled barbecues.

“These are important steps we are taking to try to minimise the fire risks to our communities,” said Mr Lowe.

Deputy Chief Officer Lowe urged the community to prepare for a bushfire threat and to remain vigilant to any smoke or fires.

“If you do see a fire or smoke in the area then report it straight away,” he said.

“With the conditions that are forecast, we need everyone to play a part in reducing fire risk, and to continue to be as prepared as possible.”

• If you see a fire burning, report it to triple zero (000).

• For information on preparing your property, go to the TFS website and download a copy of the Bushfire Safety Guide.

• To check the fire danger rating in your area, visit www.fire.tas.gov.au/fire -danger-ratings/summary/.

• For bushfire warnings and alerts, visit TasAlert.com or listen to ABC Radio as emergency broadcaster.