All but three residents at Dolphin Sands on Tasmania's east coast have been evacuated from their homes due to an uncontrolled bushfire.
The fire — which was upgraded to an emergency on Tuesday night — has burnt 56 hectares and was first reported at 2.30pm.
A smoke alert has been issued for Dolphin Sands, Swanwick and Coles Bay, which are about two hours drive north of Hobart.
"We've attempted to have everyone evacuated by means of doorknocking … There are still three residents that are refusing to leave," East Coast Acting District Officer Steve Walkley said
"We have evacuated everyone other than those three people."
The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said Dolphins Sands East was in direct threat of the bushfire, which was "uncontrollable and fast moving".
It is moving towards Coles Bay, emergency services added, but the town is unlikely to come under threat.
Fire caused by backyard rubbish burn
Mr Walkley said the fire was caused by a backyard burn of garden rubbish, which quickly got out of control.
"They'd registered that they were burning off their garden rubbish, the fire was registered through the fire service but unfortunately the fire got out of their control and escaped their control," he said.
Mr Walkley said the rapidly changing weather conditions and history of the dry area contributed to the fire spreading so quickly.
"Even though we're now moving into Autumn and we're getting the colder nights, the area is going to stay dry and will be for a long long time unless they get significant rain in that area," he said.
TFS said no homes had been destroyed, but anyone travelling in the area is urged not to enter the Dolphin Sands area.
"The fire looks serious from Coles Bay, where I've just travelled from," Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Debbie Wisby said.
"We can't get close to the fire. The road has been closed off."
