Bush Fires (Forest Fires) destroy towns and homes in Australian Southern State of Tasmania

The main fire is heading towards and "impacting" the large township of Dodges Ferry, if the fire front hits Dodges Ferry then mass losses of property will occur and possible life.

[link to www.fire.tas.gov.au]

My fifth wife had a really big bush. She was Greek. In lieu of shaving it, we set a controlled bush fire. Cleared out the underbrush so new shoots could sprout.

Seriously though, sorry to hear about the fire. I hope it doesn't burn too much or destroy any homes. Does fire fighting aircraft fly across the Bass Straits from the mainland, or does Tasmania have enough equipment to deal with it?

Do

Looks like beautiful terrain, from the looks of the picture in that first link. Looks like parts of California.

The fires cant be controlled, they have aircraft, 100s of vehicles, but the fire conditions are catastrophic, the worst case scenario, 42 degrees, around 108 F degrees, strong winds, the fire cant be stopped right now, all people can do is flee.

Heard reports from friends that a sawmill was caught in the fire, went up like a nuclear bomb, mushroom like effect. Also ive seen facebook pictures of a person who evacuated by boat (he fire had forced people to the beach), of the town Dunally, on fire, horrible and terrible.

Have a good mate in Dodgers, lost his house to a fire a year or so ago. He only just rebuilt... Hope they're ok out there, not looking good:0(

...we also have huge bush fires
here in South Africa and it scary stuff when the wind
blows like that.
Good luck and stay safe.

Sorry to here LEKKER. Not good at all.

This sound be pinned.

For those who don't know about Tasmania...

[link to www.youtube.com]

Bushfires gut Tasmanian town

Bushfires earlier rained down on hamlets and beachside towns in southern Tasmania, burning homes and community property in extreme weather.

A police boat is being sent to rescue about 50 people taking refuge on the waterfront at the top of the Tasman Peninsula.

The worst fire came out of hills to the east of Hobart and, fanned by high winds and record temperatures, hit towns approaching the state's iconic Tasman Peninsula.

"You could see it jump the highway, blow up and move really quickly," said local MP


Read more: [link to www.smh.com.au]

Lets throw another shrimp on the barbie!

They're called prawns. And no, we don't cook them on the barbie.

Fears have been realised, Dodges Ferry is under threat right now, the fire front has hit the town :(

[link to www.fire.tas.gov.au]

Some info and pictures [link to www.abc.net.au]

Reports of one death so far, 80 plus properties destroyed, but listening to the radio it appears there will be a lot more.

Photo's.
At least 80 properties have been destroyed and there are fears one person has been killed as out of control bushfires rage in parts of Tasmania.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to take shelter on beaches and in boats on the water overnight in the state's south-east as fire crews worked through the night to control the blazes.

[link to www.abc.net.au]

Tas residents counting cost as fire fighting continues
Fire-ravaged communities in Tasmania have spent the night in evacuation centres as a cooler change today is expected to help crews still battling several major blazes.

The fire service has downgraded the bushfire between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula, in the state's south-east, near where more than 100 homes have been destroyed since Friday.

Another fire at Lake Repulse, in the Upper Derwent Valley, also has a watch and act alert, with firefighters still battling an out-of-control blaze at Dawson Road, east of Ellendale.

Please read more.


[link to au.news.yahoo.com]

Mainland fire support to arrive in Tasmania
The federal government says disaster assistance to fire-stricken communities in Tasmania will start flowing in coming days.

The support will be available to help the Sorell and Tasman local government areas in the state’s south-east. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon have jointly said the needs of other areas will be closely monitored.

[link to www.afr.com]