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More fire bans as heatwave grips Tasmania

More parts of Tasmania will be covered by a total fire ban as the hot weather continues into the first week of autumn.

A green rosella watches as a wallaby drinks from a water bowl.
Tasmania is in for a heatwave this weekend with temperatures to go close to the March record of 38C. (AAP)

More parts of Tasmania will be under fire bans as severe hot conditions sweep through the already fire-ravaged state.

Late on Friday the Tasmania Fire service extended the bans on southern regions to include the west coast for Saturday.

It comes as police catch people flouting the bans.

"We understand Tasmania Police has spoken to several people today about banned activities such as using slashers under a machinery ban, and lighting fires," state fire controller Shane Batt said.

"During a total fire ban it is illegal to light any fire in the open. For the duration of this total fire ban, there is a ban on any machinery being operated in or near dry combustible vegetation. This includes grass slashers and other machinery that can cause sparks."

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Mr Batt said even using a domestic lawn mower in the current conditions was discouraged.

"If any equipment being used causes a fire, the person operating that equipment is responsible and liable for the damage caused," he said.

The bans come after the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed Tasmania experienced its second-warmest summer on record, particularly in December and January.

Hobart experienced 31 consecutive days above 20C from December 23 and even hit 40.1C on January 25.

The state's overall rainfall was also down, thanks to the southwest receiving below-average rain.

And the heat is expected to continue though the first days of March.

"It does look like this autumn's going to be another one that's warmer than average," bureau climatologist Ian Barnes-Keoghan said.

Four alerts for fires remain in place across Tasmania as of Friday evening after a brutal summer which saw blazes destroy property and bushland.

On Friday the state government opened applications for further assistance for bushfire affected businesses.

Concessional business recovery loans of up to $100,000 and bushfire business recovery grants of up to $25,000 are available for businesses affected by the recent bushfires in the Huon Valley, Central Highlands, West Coast and Derwent Valley council areas.

These grants will assist businesses cover loss of assets and income, and are in addition to the initial $2000 business disruption grants which assisted small businesses with immediate bill and cost stresses.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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