Residents of a small town near Tasmania’s west coast are being urged to stay vigilant as a bushfire burns near the township.
Key points:
- Residents in a street in a rural Tasmanian town have been told there is an “uncontrollable bushfire” nearby and they should prepare to leave
- It is unclear if any homes, public buildings or businesses have been affected
- People who do not live in the area are urged to stay away
The Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS) earlier on Tuesday issued a Watch and Act warning for a blaze on Arthur Street at Rosebery, on Tasmania western coast.
While the message is still active, authorities have since downgraded the warning to the level of “threat is reduced”.
Rosebery resident Kevin Matthewson has watched the fire unfold since 11am.
“I can still see a lot of smoke … the scrub’s on fire that borders onto the main road,” he said.
“Anyone who knows Rosebery knows it’s surrounded by bush.”
Mr Matthewson said some buildings may have been impacted.
“I believe an accommodation establishment called Mount Black Lodge is on fire, I don’t know if it’s burnt down or not yet,” he said.
The community health centre next door to the lodge has been closed.
He said while everyone’s been talking about the fire, there’s “no real panic” in the community.
“People are just waiting to see what happens.”
The bushfire comes as much of Tasmania, including the west coast, has sweltered in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.
People can keep updated on the situation on the TasAlerts website.