'Like Dante's Inferno': Residents angry at lack of fire ban despite dire forecast
Residents east of Hobart are questioning why a total fire ban was not imposed over the weekend, after they spent the evening fearing a potential ember attack from a nearby blaze.
Residents of Hobart are outraged over the absence of a fire ban despite a dangerous forecast, reminiscent of Dante's Inferno. A bushfire ignited at Seven Mile Beach, approximately 15 kilometers east of Hobart, on Sunday, fueled by scorching and gusty conditions. The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) brought the blaze under control on Sunday night, with gusts reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour and temperatures soaring to 27.1 degrees Celsius.
Smoke from the fire hovered between the flames and nearby residential communities of Lewisham and Dodges Ferry, causing residents to sleep with one eye open out of fear of ember attacks. The fire service has expressed concern over the conduct of landowners who conduct burn-offs without proper preparation for the weather, deeming it a serious issue.
Officials have noted that the fire conditions had been anticipated, with the TFS warning residents against conducting registered burns in the area. The TFS clarified that fire bans are typically imposed seasonally and not in response to individual weather events, and that the overall impact of the fire was limited. The fire service is still investigating the cause of the bushfire at Seven Mile Beach, with fire investigators on the scene today.
Residents have called for a total fire ban to be imposed, given the strong winds forecast and the fire's resemblance to the 2013 Dunalley fire. TFS deputy regional chief John Holloway highlighted the concern over the number of fires reported on Sunday, many of which were connected to unprepared burn-offs, and urged people to remain vigilant during the upcoming summer season.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
