Review Finds Gaps in Tasmania’s Bushfire Response

A review of last summer’s bushfires on Tasmania’s west coast has revealed shortcomings in the state’s emergency response, citing cramped facilities, staff fatigue, frustrated volunteers and a fragmented system.

The fires, which burned more than 101,000 hectares in February and March, included 9,400 hectares of the Wilderness World Heritage Area. Flames came within a few kilometres of the township of Zeehan.

Three main firegrounds were identified: Canning Peak, Yellowband Plain and Mount Donaldson. At Canning Peak, 295 hectares of threatened vegetation, including king billy and pencil pines, were destroyed. The Mount Donaldson fire also damaged key organic soils.

The blazes followed a period of severe rainfall deficits and were sparked by 1,227 lightning strikes that ignited 24 separate fires. The destruction included 4.5 kilometres of boardwalk on the Overland Track, another 1.4 kilometres on other tracks, and a commercially owned hut.

Tasmania’s fire agencies commissioned the Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) to conduct an external review. The report made 20 recommendations.