Bushfire threat in national park
Bushfirethreat in national park
22 February 2007
published by www.examiner.com.au
Australia — Residents of Cradle Mountain mayneed to be evacuated because of a bushfire threatening the area.
The blaze is burning in steep terrain about 10km west of the Cradle MountainNational Park.
Tasmania Fire Service spokesman Danny Reid saidthe fire still had the potential to burn up Mt Remus and put Cradle Village atrisk.
“We are hoping for the best and planning for the worst,” Mr Reid said.
“We have developed a contingency plan that should the fire escalate, wehave something to protect structures and residents.
“We have something in place if the weather turns hot and windy.
“People will be evacuated if necessary.”
Crews are working on the northern edge of the fire but the remainder isaccessible because of steep terrain and dangerous trees.
Another bushfire, which has blackened about 24,000ha in the Franklin- GordonWild Rivers National Park and South- West National Park, remains uncontrolled.
Parks and Wildlife, Forestry Tasmania and the TFS are monitoring the blaze onfoot and by helicopter.
All bushwalking tracks have been closed in the area.
The fires were among a number of others started by lightning last Friday.
Mr Reid said the remaining blazes, including one at Bruny Island whichthreatened properties on Cloudy Lagoon on Sunday, were posing less of a threat.
“The other blazes are fairly quiet, allowing fire crews to get in and workon containment lines,” he said.