Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Tasmanian fire crews prepare for weather 'spike', man charged with lighting blaze appears in court

The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) says it is "working hard" to consolidate fire boundaries ahead of the end of the week, which will likely see temperatures jump back into the 30s.

"There is potential for another spike in weather conditions later in the week," the TFS said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Aircraft, machinery and remote-area firefighters are all working towards dropping advice levels and ensuring community safety across the state."

On Tuesday there were a number of watch and act warnings in place across parts of the state, but by Wednesday morning that had dropped to just one at Valley Road in Fingal.

The Fingal fire started on December 29 and has spread to more than 16,000 hectares.

Another blaze burning at Pelham Road in the south-east has been burning since December 30, and has affected more than 2,100 hectares of bushland.

The TFS has issued a smoke alert for the Greater Hobart area due to smoke being visible from the Fingal and Pelham fires.

Meanwhile, Mangana man Rob Peter Matthewson, 35, appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with unlawfully setting fire to vegetation and lighting a fire on a total fire ban day.

Police said the charges were in relation to the current bushfire burning at Mangana, which was lit last Monday.

Mr Mathewson applied for bail which was refused and he has been remanded in custody to reappear at the end of the month.

The TFS advises that as of Monday, fire permits are now required for the whole state of Tasmania.

A fire permit can be obtained by calling 1800 000 699.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.