Windy weather, warm temperatures keep Tasmanian firefighters busy - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
A person videos smoke from the fire at Colebrook, Tasmania, Sunday September 20, 2026. (ABC News: Ashleigh Barraclough)
Tasmania's fire service has battled several blazes across the state, with strong wind gusts making conditions difficult.
On Sunday, a number of bushfire and smoke warnings were active, with people in affected areas urged to stay updated with the latest advice from authorities.
Smoke from bushfire at Seven Mile Beach seen at Dodges Ferry, Tasmania, Sunday, September 20, 2026. (ABC News: Jo Spargo)
The Seven Mile Beach bushfire seen from Lewisham boat ramp on Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2026. (ABC News: Ashleigh Barraclough)
It comes as the TFS warned earlier in the week that areas of Tasmania would face an elevated fire danger due to a combination of high temperatures, dry air and windy conditions.
Smoke from bushfire at Mud Walls Road, Colebrook, Tasmania, Sunday, September 20, 2026. (ABC News: Ashleigh Barraclough)
On Sunday evening, Regional Fire Controller Scott Vinen said fire crews had done an exceptional job amid difficult conditions.
"Tasmania Fire Service were called to a fire at Springhill Bottom Road, at Colebrook, around 11 this morning. Fifteen crews and four aircraft have been working to contain the fire," he said.
"Fire crews were also called to a fire on Pittwater Road, Seven Mile Beach, around 11.30am. Multiple crews, including Parks and Wildlife Service, are working to contain the fire."
The Bureau of Meteorology said wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometres per hour had been recorded in a number of locations on Sunday.
Gusts of 102 km/h were recorded at Hobart City at 3:51 pm, with Scotts Peak Dam recording 137 km/h at12:28 pm.
Bruny Island recorded a gust as high as 117 km/h at 1:13 pm, while Kunanyi (Mt Wellington) recorded 128 km/h at 2:07 pm.
This wooden boat broke its mooring and washed up at Sandy Bay on Sunday. (Wooden Boats of Tasmania: Ethan O'neal)
Electricity provider TasNetworks reported that thousands of people were without power.
Stay updated with the latest information about outages and expected restoration times on the TasNetworks website.
Smoke from a bushfire seen from Lewisham, Tasmania, Sunday September 20, 2026. (ABC News: Ryk Goddard)
The Bureau of Meteorology also issued a Severe Weather Warning forecasting damaging winds on Sunday, clearing by Monday morning.
Locations likely to be impacted include St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, New Norfolk, Hobart, Oatlands, Bicheno, Orford and Bothwell.
These conditions may lead to fallen trees, branches and powerlines.
If you are in or near the storm area, Tasmania SES advises you to check your emergency plan if you have one.
