Fears for life in Tasmania bushfires

4 Jan 2013, 7:45 pm   -   Source: SBS staff and agencies

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Tasmania Fire Service Chief Officer Mike Brown says they cannot confirm reports that one person has died in a bushfire at Dunalley but police will investigate. 

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Tasmania Fire Service Chief Officer Mike Brown says they cannot confirm reports that one person has died in a bushfire at Dunalley but police will investigate. 

A raging fire in the Forcett area in Tasmania has destroyed homes and buildings and blocked access to the Tasman peninsula. 

Hobart has experienced its hottest day on record. The island capital hit 41.3C at 1.53pm (AEDT), beating a previous high of 40.8C set in January 1976. That record had stood since 1899, when the mercury hit 40.1C.

"There are only three or four (days) on record over 40 degrees so it's quite rare," said Melbourne-based Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Murray Keable.

Crews are battling fires in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

Keep up to date with the latest emergency warnings

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA

Meanwhile in South Australia, an emergency warning has been issued for Finniss, where residents have been urged to put their plans in action.

The temperature rose to 45 Celsius in the South Australian capital of Adelaide.

Further inland Wudinna, on the Eyre Peninsula, hit 48.2 Celsius and a string of other South Australian towns topped 47 Celsius. 

In Victoria, an emergency warning has been issued for the Kentbruck area.

Bushfires

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