Bushfire Watch & Act. Cradle Valley

[Overlandman]

From Tas Fire

Not good


A BUSHFIRE WATCH AND ACT MESSAGE FOR CRADLE MOUNTAIN AND CRADLE VALLEY

Issued At: 16/01/2016 5:56pm

There is a bushfire at Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain.

Southerly winds are driving the fire towards the Cradle Valley. This fire may put Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley at high risk within 4-6 hours.

This fire will be difficult to control.

There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley.

What to do:

You need to start taking action now to protect your family and your home.

If you are not prepared for a bushfire, be ready to leave for a safer place.

If you dont live near Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley, stay away.

If your family have made a bushfire survival plan, use it now.

Keep updated by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au.

Incident number: 236095
Community Information:
For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website: http://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

Parks and Wildlife Service has advised that Cradle Mountain has been closed.

Alert Level: WATCH AND ACT
Type: Vegetation Fire
Last Updated: 16-Jan-2016 05:56 PM
First Reported: 16-Jan-2016 03:11 PM
Location: Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain
Status: Going
Agency: Parks & Wildlife Service
Size: Not reported

[dazintaz]

Is the park closed? cant seem to find anything on PWS

[Overlandman]

Update now says there is no immediate threat.
Also in the next update they have started water bombing the fire with a helicopter

Says down the bottom that Parks & Wildlife have closed Cradle Mountain


A BUSHFIRE ADVICE MESSAGE FOR CRADLE MOUNTAIN AND CRADLE VALLEY

Issued At: 16/01/2016 7:19pm

There is a bushfire at Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain.

There is no immediate threat.

Fire under these conditions can be difficult to control.

What to do:

People in Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley should keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at http://www.fire.tas.gov.au.

Well prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.

If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.

If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.

Incident number: 236095
Community Information:
For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website: http://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

Parks and Wildlife Service has advised that Cradle Mountain has been closed.

Alert Level: ADVICE
Type: Vegetation Fire
Last Updated: 16-Jan-2016 07:19 PM
First Reported: 16-Jan-2016 03:11 PM
Location: Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain
Status: Going
Agency: Parks & Wildlife Service
Size: Not reported

[Overlandman]

There are cars & people visible on the Dove Lake web cam this morning so that's a good sign.
Regards OLM

[Overlandman]

Update has a message for Overland Track walkers

Also Dove Canyon Track & Cradle Valley boardwalks are closed.

The location of the fire on the map has been moved North as well

Regards OLM

A BUSHFIRE ADVICE MESSAGE FOR CRADLE MOUNTAIN AND CRADLE VALLEY

Issued At: 17/01/2016 11:49am

There is a bushfire at Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain.

There is no immediate threat.

Fire under these conditions can be difficult to control.

What to do:

People in Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley should keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at http://www.fire.tas.gov.au.

Well prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.

If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.

If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.

Incident number: 236095
Community Information:
MESSAGE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GENERAL PARK VISITORS:

There is a bushfire about 8 hectares in size within the Dove River Conservation Area. There is no immediate threat.
Suppression action is currently underway with a ground crew and air support when necessary.
Access to the park is open but with some restrictions. The Dove Canyon Track and Cradle Valley Boardwalk are closed. It is recommended that visitors avoid walks to the east of Dove Lake and undertake walks of less than two hours.
People in Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley should keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at http://www.fire.tas.gov.au.

MESSAGE TO OVERLAND TRACK WALKERS:

There is a bushfire about 8 hectares in size within the Dove River Conservation Area that is being controlled and there are a number of other fires of varying size in reserves in western Tasmania as a result of an electrical storm on 6 January. There is no immediate threat to the Overland Track and the track remains open, but walkers are asked to observe some simple protocols.
Please restrict walking to the Overland Track and well used side tracks and camp overnight at or close to the hut nodes.
Further updates on the fire situration can be obtained from Track Rangers. If a fire does threaten the Overland Track, please observe the direction of track rangers.
For those planning to start the Overland Track in coming days please keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at http://www.fire.tas.gov.au.

For information on current road closures, please visit the Tasmania Police website: http://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

Alert Level: ADVICE
Type: Vegetation Fire
Last Updated: 17-Jan-2016 11:49 AM
First Reported: 16-Jan-2016 03:11 PM
Location: Dove River Conservation area, Cradle Mountain
Status: Going
Agency: Parks & Wildlife Service
Size: Not reported

[Overlandman]

From today's Advocate

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/366 ... ley/?cs=87

FIREFIGHTERS are battling to control a fire in Dove Valley near Cradle Mountain before conditions worsen this week.

Parks and Wildlife Service North-West regional manager Nic Deka said up to three helicopters were used at the weekend to assist in gaining control over the fire.

The fire began last week during an electrical storm that caused more than 40 fires across the North-West and West coasts.

Mr Deka said crews fighting the fire near Cradle Mountain had gained control over it on Saturday, but with the mild and windy conditions on Sunday the blaze had picked up again.

"The edge has picked up and is more active than it was, but the ground crew on site and the helicopter doing the bombing still seem to be holding it," he said.

"Hopefully, we have a chance of keeping it contained today [Sunday]."

With the national park closed on Saturday due to the fire, Mr Deka said this was just a precaution due to uncertainty on the extent and speed of the fire.

"It's better to be safe and visitor safety is certainly the priority, so we took a decisive action to get people out of the park so that they were protected if [the fire] did something that we didn't predict."

Mr Deka said Parks and Wildlife and Tasmania Fire Service crews would continue to work on the edges of the fire until it was contained.

[Overlandman]

Unfortunately looks like a fire near Pelion
Any one know any further information
Regards OLM

http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId= ... teID=26598

[north-north-west]

Map shows it to be just south east of Pelion East.
That's a new fire.

[Davo1]

But they have reported this also, did well to get all those resources in there - so hopefully it's a glitch in the system and it is actually referring to somewhere other than Pelion.
Also notice the first reported date.


Alert Level: ADVICE
Type: Vegetation Fire
Last Updated: 25-Jan-2016 10:40 PM
First Reported: 19-Jan-2016 01:11 PM
Location: Cradle Valley and Pelion, Cradle Mountain
Status: Going
Agency: Tasmania Fire Service
Size: Not reported
Attending Resources:
Tasmania Fire Service Resources Arrived:
2 x LIGHT TANKER
1 x HEAVY TANKER
1 x RESCUE VEHICLE

Tasmania Fire Service Resources Mobilised:
4 x LIGHT TANKER
6 x MEDIUM TANKER
1 x TFS
2 x PERSONNEL CARRIER

[Nuts]

Feb Plains, Lk Bill? There was a lot of smoke lower, looked like Lee's area perhaps funneling down (and up the valley) from McKenzie or the Lk Bill fire is actually down lower than the Lake? Not heard otherwise around Pelion?

Stay safe all, even keeping accurate updates must be a monumental task.

[north-north-west]

Lake Bill, Nescient Peak, Blizzard Plains, according to the map.
If that thing joins up with the MacKenzie fire we have a major disaster on hand.

[Tedmo]

Overland track has now been closed until safe http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/a/26598

[Nuts]

C'mon, The Park, The OLT, Closed?, Open? Which?
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=7785

[dashandsaph]

I spoke to the rangers office at LSC this afternoon and they said the whole park was closed, probably for a minimum of 7 days, but they will reassess if the threatened rain makes a difference.

[north-north-west]

The OT is closed. Access into Cradle Mtn is closed.
Didn't see anything about Lake St Clair being closed. There aren't any major fires that far south.

[Nuts]

There's no fires in the area and wasn't a trace of smoke in the south this AM.
Anyhow.. the page doesn't make clear they are separate updates (if indeed they are) but lower down refers to setting walkers off Overland- this arvo...

[Tedmo]

I got the call from parks this afternoon to say our walk was a no go (supposed to start on the 2/2, track is closed until 3/2 at this point). Bit of a bummer but these things happen. Slightly off topic question and let me know if I should put it elsewhere but has anyone been on the Three Capes Track and if so, do you think it is a worthwhile alternative? They've offered us a transfer at no extra expense. If not, any other recommendations for up to 5 days for some fairly amateur hikers with a reasonable level of fitness?

[Nuts]

3Capes would at least be at a good price if you did ever want to do that. Spectacular coastal walking, haven't been on the new track. I'd otherwise consider the coming rain events, for anywhere that isn't closed. Frenchmans Cap is not overly difficult, keep in mind that there could be up to four hundred others in the same boat though, being offered, or looking for, alternatives.

[Tedmo]

Thanks Nuts, yeah I figure there will be a flood of people looking for other options, I'll try to get ahead of it and hope for the best. Just an excuse to come back and do the OLT next time I guess!

[wayno]

overland trail being evacuated
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4395697.htm

[north-north-west]

Given that the Overland Track (as well as the park) has been closed for a few days I'm surprised there are that many people in there to evacuate.
It isn't looking good. The Lake MacKenzie fire is now within 3km of Oakleigh. The Lake Bill fire is moving slower but there's a real chance of them joining up.

The Tarkine fire has crossed the road and is now threatening Hazelton. There was some burning done there last year so maybe that will help slow it down. But that area just isn't getting the rain.

[Nuts]

The (Overland) track and access is closed and definitely off limits (until the 3rd.. at this stage). Even if access could be found.. I hope the seriousness of their message gets through as besides the unpredictable wildfire dangers, It's looking likely some rather drastic back-burn/fuel reduction measures will be needed.

[Nuts]

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[DanShell]

What about areas that don't particularly generate revenue such as the WOJ?

[MrWalker]

What about areas that don't particularly generate revenue such as the WOJ?

I doubt if it is question of revenue. There is an active fire on both sides of the main access road.
There are also active fires to the north and west that could flare up if there was a wind change, so going via Lake Ada is possible, but not ideal.

[Overlandman]

Update from ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-01/t ... es/7131438



Tasmanian firefighters expect to make considerable progress on more than 50 blazes burning out of control in the state's west and north, with favourable conditions forecast for the coming week.

Tasmania Fire Service acting deputy chief officer Jeremy Smith said today was extremely productive with clearer skies enabling more remote area specialists to be flown into the fire ground.

"We've also been able to dispatch our intelligence aircraft to determine where these fire perimeters are, where these hot spots are and actively insert the remote area specialists into these high-risk, high-value areas," he said.

The bulk of the resources continue to be focused on blazes in the Lake Mackenzie area and at Lake Gordon in the south-west.

He said the forecast was fortunate for firefighters, given late summer was usually a challenging time.

"We believe we've got seven to 10 days of really good firefighting in the next period," the deputy chief officer said.

"So this will allow us to get a really good, solid edge around a number of these fires and really identify where a number of these fires are."

The Fire Service has also updated its estimate of how much Wilderness World Heritage area has been burnt to almost 2 per cent.

Overland Track to reopen on Wednesday

The world renowned Overland Track will be reopened on Wednesday morning, after authorities decided blazes in the area no longer posed a threat.

The trek through the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, receives about 8,000 visitors a year.

Overland Track
PHOTO: The Overland Track was closed to hikers because of the fire threat. (ABC News: Stephen Smiley)
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife general manager Peter Mooney said fires still burning in the area had not damaged the track itself.

"We've done a risk assessment of the current fires and it is now at a very low risk," he said.

"We'll be briefing walkers when they leave, because there may still be smoke in the region as they walk along the Overland Track."

Hikers who were booked for the Overland Track have instead been given the option of doing the Three Capes Track in the south east of the state.

From other news sites:

[Nuts]

We had some great weather in the early stages.

Dan, the service doesn't generate much profit from the track, though I guess we expect them to protect revenue in the mix (as the costs do still continue).

This is one fire front and i'm not sure which section got the attention but it did ramp up significantly in terms of air support. May have been as much 'the gods' at play.. Regardless, environmentally, this fire could have been/could be as devastating whichever direction it took/takes (other than back on itself of course).

Sticking to the small world theme, sincere thanks again to those, friends and all, throwing their lives at these fires.

[DanShell]

I agree that revenue wouldn't be the motivation to re-open the OLT but I am certain there was a lot of pressure to get it back open again. Our reputation as a tourist destination is getting tarnished enough in the bureaucratic eyes let alone the fall out of having so many disgruntled visitors not being able to walk it at peak time.

Anyway getting a bit off topic. I think this week will bring some good results up there lets hope they get it out before it gets any closer to all the old huts in the area.

[Nuts]

Lot's of mayhem behind the scenes, we have been trying to carefully word replies to those concerned for their tours in autumn, even one into next spring.., I imagine the pressure on parks (or via parks) would be enormous.

And so enters again, the question of political motivation for environmental, conservation or preservation decisions, a valid concern for what can be sometimes conflicting purposes. Even, among the many potential cross-purposes, if concern could be limited to considering revenue or protection of further tourism incursions around the state, I believe, these will make such situations disproportionately more complex in relation to the return $, perhaps beyond any sort of clear understanding for those not directly involved (including even others in the industry or service).

Anyhow.. maybe safe and all is well (for OLT visitors) i'd like to think so.. though even through the advices i'd be making skeptical walking plans in other areas, especially with the usual drier months ahead. And as many know, smouldering peat fires, out of sight and mind, can burn for a very long time, and the loss of peat is bad enough, skeptical at the ability to protect such areas without a new (reactive) plan.

Every effort should be made to prevent fire reaching alpine environs again, i'd put doing so above protecting infrastructure, or even profit, personally.

[aloftas]

if it were me, and I saw an opportunity to lift in a diesel pumpset and "irrigate' these areas, I could forsee this as a potentially expeditious and cost effective move.


I'm talking King Billy Pine stands, lake perimeters.. rivers... I'm talking lateral thinking.

Is it not better, to say, oh yes, that scar is a firebreak pushed in by a 12 foot wide D9

It is there, to keep the biota alive.
Or is it better to say, we left it to burn as we couldn't model any successful strategies, and as It is pristine wilderness we are obliged not to touch it.

Is it not our role to preserve it, by any means?

Or even an open discharge pump and sluice the water over the ground

Or even a steep pipe and some pond liner to make temporary bunds in creeks where the overspill and pondage would irrigate, lifted away without a trace??




I hope, we get rain, I hope this doesn't become an ecological disaster which would denude these areas.

Just some thoughts, and yes, as well to those fighting these fires...

Stay safe, and ask for some higher volume, higher pressure gear, some old school firebreaks and containment lines


as I said, use the roads that are there and clear a chain each side


sure it aint pretty, but prettier than an ashfield devoid of 1500 years of peat accumulation.


Please, think like farmers


Farmers are/can be the greatest conservationists out there.
I bet if PAWS put a bulletin out to farmers for irrigation sets, they would have enough to spend the next week getting em in place.

Hell, it could be done today, if there was a modicum of will.

So.


"To Rain" mechanical rain, if needs be.

Has any consideration been given to silver iodide cloud seeding, for example?

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