The Bureau of Meteorology has defended its decision not to issue a fire weather warning for parts of Tasmania hit by bushfires on Thursday, saying forecast conditions did not meet the required threshold.
Hot, dry and gusty winds sparked nearly 30 blazes across the state, including three that escalated to emergency-level warnings. The worst occurred at Dolphin Sands on the east coast, where at least 19 homes and shacks were damaged or destroyed as flames tore through the small community.
Senior meteorologist Luke Johnston said the bureau had been closely monitoring conditions throughout the week. While a severe weather warning for damaging winds was issued Thursday morning, he explained that the fire weather indices “didn’t quite get to the threshold required for a fire weather warning.”
Johnston added that the bureau remained in close contact with the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) and other agencies, flagging the potential risks well in advance.
The TFS provides a daily map showing fire risk ratings across Tasmania, ranging from no rating to extreme, helping communities prepare for changing conditions.
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