Residents of Nugent have been told it’s too late to leave as an uncontrolled bushfire threatens homes, lives and cuts off essential evacuation routes.
The bushfire is burning between Nugent, Bezzants and Crawlers Gully roads was escalated to a ‘leave now’ notice about 3.30pm but at 5.10pm was upgraded to ‘too late to leave’.
Tasmania Fire Service expects spot fires may threaten homes before the main fire arrives.
Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breath with thick smoke and showers of embers expected.
TasAlert advises for anyone in the area to enact their bushfire plan and to shelter in a room on the other side of the building from the approaching fire, and one that has water and a clear exit out of the house.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the advice reads.
“It is too late to leave. Fire is threatening evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger. You must take shelter before the fire arrives.
Other watch and act alerts are also in place for Kellevie and Nugent.
Earlier, Deputy Regional Chief Scott Vinen said firefighters were battling challenging conditions with several bushfires burning across southern Tasmania.
A severe weather warning was raised due to damaging winds across much of Tasmania, which was a cause for concern particularly for a blaze on the East Coast at Crawlers Gully, Nugent, he said.
“These conditions may limit aerial firefighting operations and make ground containment more difficult,” Mr Vinen said.
“The terrain and weather are challenging, with the fire danger rating high in these areas. Our crews are focused on getting these fires under control and protecting the community.”
Fires were also burning at Ross, Levendale (McConnons Rd) and Stonehenge.
In an update on Monday morning, Tasmania Fire Service said several bushfires had been contained and were under patrol including at Bream Creek, Forcett, Levendale (New Country Marsh Rd) and Nugent (Bezzants Rd).
Bushfires weren’t the only blazes keeping crews busy.
A unit fire at George Town triggered a smoke alert for the area after firefighters arrived to flames billowing from the Franklin Rd residence.
Elsewhere, fire crews responded to an incident at Nyrstar zinc smelter in Hobart where a large holding tank had flames visible at the top of the tank.
The incident led to Nystar staff being evacuated and an investigation conducted after it was extinguished hours later.
molly.appleton@news.com.au
Originally published as Emergency warning issued for Nugent Tasmania bushfire
