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Multiple bushfires are threatening communities on Tasmania’s west coast, including the town of Zeehan.
The fires, , have burnt through at least 70,000 hectares of bushland and wilderness in the area.
An emergency level warning is in place for the community of Corinna and its immediate surrounds, with property owners warned to seek shelter immediately.
The state’s emergency page has described that area as ‘high risk’ warning that flammable embers may threaten homes before the fire front arrives.
Seven bushfire watch and acts are also in place as at time of publication, according to Tas Alert.
State fire commander Jeremy Smith said 26 remote area firefighters were currently on the way to assist with the fire response.
“This includes 20 personnel from New South Wales, six from Australian Capital Territory and two helicopters which have winch capabilities,” he said in a statement.
“Two personnel have also been resourced from Queensland,” he said.
“New South Wales firefighters have also arrived with facilities to set up the Tullah basecamp, which can facilitate up to 100 personnel.”
Local authorities said around 30 aircraft, six bulldozers and at least 50 firefighters are fighting fires today across the region.
Conditions are easing
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting rainfall and cooling temperatures today, with Zeehan expected to reach a maximum of 18 degrees.
The BOM is forecasting: “chance of smoke haze during the morning and afternoon. Very high chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h turning westerly 25 to 40 km/h in the morning then decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day.”
Deputy incident controller Scott Vinen from the Tasmania Fire Service said conditions had eased overnight.
“It’s probably still 4km from Zeehan but the conditions have eased overnight,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“We will be doing another mapping run which will see that (the total number of kilometres burnt) increase as well.”
