A bushfire warning near a town on Tasmania's north-east coast has been upgraded to emergency level with authorities warning residents to leave immediately.
"An uncontrolled bushfire at Dianas Basin is travelling towards Peron Street, Moriarty Road, Stieglitz and surrounds which is expected to put lives in danger and may destroy homes," the warning from TasAlert just before 9.30am said.
The agency warned of thick smoke and showers of embers that could start more fires that could threaten homes before the main fire arrives.
Residents waking up in the small town of Stieglitz on Wednesday had been notified of a Bushfire Watch and Act warning, as had those in Parkside and Parnella.
The fire was at an emergency level on Tuesday afternoon but had been downgraded before the escalation on Wednesday morning.
Residents of Parkside and Parnella were urged to "monitor conditions as they are changing", noting that the fire between Dianas Basin and the township of Stieglitz was being "actively fought" and is expected to be "difficult to control".
The Tasmania Fire Service said local residents had been evacuated last night with about 50 people staying in an evacuation centre in St Helens.
Two structures were damaged, it said. A spokesperson said the service couldn't yet assess if the structures were homes.
St Helens Airport, which is near Stieglitz and used to transport seafood to mainland Australia, is also subject to the fire warning.
While residents decide whether to stay or evacuate the area, others impacted by fires to the south can return to their properties after authorities reopened the area on Tuesday.
The fire at Dolphin Sands burned more than 700 hectares and destroyed over a dozen homes before being contained over the weekend.
The authorities warn smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe, and residents are told to be ready if the situation escalates. According to the 2021 Census, fewer than 600 residents live in Stieglitz, with a median age of 60.
Six bushfire warnings are in place across Tasmania, including the one in Dolphin Sands that started last Thursday.
TasAlert has downgraded that fire warning, and residents can return to their homes with caution.
Of Tasmania's 11 districts, two — Midlands and Western — have high fire danger ratings for Wednesday, with all areas downgraded or expected to remain at moderate fire danger for Thursday.
The Midlands district is anticipated to return to a high fire danger rating on Friday.
Meanwhile, NSW has also experienced damaging and lethal fires this month, with 45 Advice level fires burning across the state as of Wednesday morning.
A firefighter was killed after he was struck by a falling tree on the NSW mid north coast while fighting a major fire on Sunday night.
Heatwave warnings remain in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
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