Track closures Friday 4th January due to fire danger

[tastrax]

Fire boundaries have also been updated for all to see

[north-north-west]

So that fire is just slowly burning its way along the valleys/plains on either side of the WArthurs? And if you come out via Lucifer Ridge, I assume you have to exit via Cracroft Crossing and the loop walk isn't possible?

[ILUVSWTAS]

So that fire is just slowly burning its way along the valleys/plains on either side of the WArthurs? And if you come out via Lucifer Ridge, I assume you have to exit via Cracroft Crossing and the loop walk isn't possible?

Everything is open except the Arthur Plains from what i've heard.

[north-north-west]

Yes, that's what he said, but the Arthur Plains include that bit of ground between Junction Creek and the Eastern end of the WArthurs, don't they? McKays is still closed.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Oh is this where I read it? Sorry, too much booze.....

Yeh well, just make your own way, you are an adult and who's gonna stop ya.

[north-north-west]

Rule 1: Never forum when pissed.

Rule 2: Refer to Rule 1.

[ILUVSWTAS]

On the contrary, I find that's when it's got the most to offer.

[Binder]

G'day all

Just back from checking out the track into Moraine A from Scott's peak. The campsite at junction creek has been burnt fairly well but the Sputnik survived ! There is a couple of kilometres of country burnt along the walking track but not too bad to get along. A fair bit of burnt Bauera has fallen across the track but ok to get through. The main reason for the Arthur's Plains track (mckays) being closed it there is still some active fire east of Junction Ck. Parks remote crews have been working on these spots today and there is water bombing going on. The pilots have enough to do without worrying about weather there are walkers about Having seen how the area burnt, I wouldn't want to be on Buttongrass or in tea tree scub on the Plains if it cranks up again...

Will drop a few pics tomorrow.

Cheers

[JamesMc]

Does this mean the hoon pine @ Badger Ck is burnt?


JamesMc

[Binder]

Not sure at this stage. From the air mapping it appears that a lot of the known Huon Pine areas didn't burn, but the veg gurus will be checking it out. Will keep posting updates as they come in.

[stepbystep]

Thanks Binder please do.

During the fire peak I read a report of fire near The Lion on the Franklands Range was this accurate, and if so what's the state of play there?

Appreciate your efforts greatly.

Best, Dan

[Binder]

Can confirm not near The Lion. That was me getting crossed up with my valleys in the smoke! Two valleys west of the Frankland Range, not Rookery Plain.

Cheers

[stepbystep]

Thanks Binder, very understandable given what you were dealing with. Some friends are heading into The Franks soon. I was just checking on their behalf.
Cheers, Dan

[north-north-west]

G'day all

Just back from checking out the track into Moraine A from Scott's peak. The campsite at junction creek has been burnt fairly well but the Sputnik survived ! There is a couple of kilometres of country burnt along the walking track but not too bad to get along. A fair bit of burnt Bauera has fallen across the track but ok to get through. The main reason for the Arthur's Plains track (mckays) being closed it there is still some active fire east of Junction Ck. Parks remote crews have been working on these spots today and there is water bombing going on. The pilots have enough to do without worrying about weather there are walkers about Having seen how the area burnt, I wouldn't want to be on Buttongrass or in tea tree scub on the Plains if it cranks up again...

Will drop a few pics tomorrow.

Cheers

Thanks, and well done. What are the odds of the thing dying sometime over the next three weeks? I was thinking of going back in to the WArtys to knock off the remaining summits, but I'm not going to dice with a fire.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Got a good 5m of rain here today, likely to be more in the SW! First time it's rained in over a month!! Hopefully it's helped the fire cause

[Binder]

the fire had over 40mm on it last week, and today's won't hurt but will take a fair bit to call it out.
Lot of peat country out there that could carry it on for a while...

[north-north-west]

Got a good 5m of rain here today, likely to be more in the SW! First time it's rained in over a month!! Hopefully it's helped the fire cause

Well, of course it's started raining. I'm planning a long bushwalking visit.

[tibboh]

Hey Binder what's happening on the Arthur Plains?

[whynotwalk]

Hey Binder what's happening on the Arthur Plains?

Looks like Brendan may be out & about, or else having some well-earned rest

Last report I heard (Tuesday) was that PWS had crews out working on the hot-spots. The weather has been favourable, and more showers are on the way. BUT ... it will take some days to attend to hot spots around the Arthur Plains (and elsewhere) AND there is still some concern that a hot, dry, windy spell could whip it into action again.

So the fat lady hasn't sung yet!

cheers

Peter

[Binder]

Thanks Peter.

Plan is to send crews in again on Thursday, with a water bomber to keep working on hot spots to the east of Junction Ck area. This area has already had close to 60 mm of rain since the fire started, so will take a fair bit more pull it up naturally. The crews will be cutting burning logs, digging up burning peat etc so it might take some time to get around. As Peter has said, the concern is that it will continue to burn quietly until the next hot spell.

Cheers

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks Peter.

This area has already had close to 60 mm of rain since the fire started,

Cheers

Tell it to move 20k's towards Huonville please!!!

[Binder]

The rain or the fire ?

[ILUVSWTAS]

The rain or the fire ?

Lol.... the rain please.

[tibboh]

Thanks for the update. Good luck tomorrow then!

[north-north-west]

Thanks Peter.

Plan is to send crews in again on Thursday, with a water bomber to keep working on hot spots to the east of Junction Ck area. This area has already had close to 60 mm of rain since the fire started, so will take a fair bit more pull it up naturally. The crews will be cutting burning logs, digging up burning peat etc so it might take some time to get around. As Peter has said, the concern is that it will continue to burn quietly until the next hot spell.

Cheers

I was hoping the weather would have shut it down, but if it's gotten into the peat . . . oh well, there'll be time when I've moved back.

Now, go and have a proper rest. You must be knackered.

[Stibb]

Regrowth.jpg

You're probably right about good thick growth Dan. But the epicormic shoots in this photo, which may be what Hallu wants to see, come up after just a few weeks. You may see some of these on the Tasman Peninsula by Easter. But you won't find any in Mt Field, as the park hasn't actually had fire this time around. (PWS closed some of the tracks because of the risk that fires could quickly spread there through the Broad River Valley. They're open again now.)

cheers

Peter

It's happening now down towards the Tasman Peninsula. There are lots of trees where it's coming along nicely. Still just starting but soon it will be very fuzzy. The ground is also greening up with new grass in many places. Quite amazing to see the transformation

[north-north-west]

Yeah, a surprising number of trees have survived, it's fuzzying up nicely now there's been a bit of rain.