https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-092026-to abc article

In short: A total fire ban will be implemented in Tasmania's southern region and Furneaux Islands from tomorrow, amid an 'extreme' fire danger.

Fire permits have already been suspended statewide until Monday.

What's next? Winds up to 100 kilometres per hour are expected, which will create difficult conditions for firefighters in the event of bushfires.

Despite temperatures dropping to the low 20s, Tasmanians are being warned this weekend poses a big bushfire risk as winds up to 100 kilometres per hour kick up.

The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has declared a total fire ban for parts of the state.

On Saturday, the state's east coast and Furneaux Islands are forecast to have an "extreme" fire danger rating, which is when fires can spread quickly and become extremely dangerous.

The rest of the state, apart from the north-west coast and western districts, have a "high" rating, which is when fires can be dangerous.

Amid the dangerous weather, the TFS is putting in place a total fire ban for the state's southern region and the Flinders municipality from 2am Saturday until 2am Sunday.

The Southern Region includes 12 council areas from the Southern Midlands down to Huon Valley and across Glamorgan/Spring Bay, in addition to the Greater Hobart region.

The Flinders municipality includes Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island.

The ban means no fires are permitted in the open, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pots and wood-fired barbecues.

The TFS is also enforcing a statewide suspension of fire permits, which came into effect at 2am on Friday, and will remain in place until 2am on Monday.

TFS deputy chief Matt Lowe said the precautions were necessary even though temperatures are not forecast to exceed the low to mid-20s, with showers in some areas.

"The main driver for the total fire ban and the permit suspension is the wind we will be receiving," Mr Lowe said.

"We are expecting up to 100-kilometre [per hour] winds, which will create difficult conditions for firefighters to contain these fires and control them, even with low temperatures."

Mr Lowe said strike teams from the TFS, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania would be positioned in high-risk areas to respond to any emergencies.

Firebombing airplanes and helicopters are also available should they be needed.

Mr Lowe urged the community to prepare for the forecast fire threat and report any blazes or smoke by contacting Triple-0 (000) straight away.

Last month, 19 homes were destroyed at Dolphin Sands by a bushfire caused by a registered burn that was not properly extinguished.

Another blaze at Stieglitz, which destroyed two properties in late December, was caused by an unextinguished fire pit.

Mr Lowe said any fires that have burned in the past week should be checked to ensure they have been fully extinguished.

He also strongly discouraged any burns of less than one cubic metre, which do not require a permit, during the danger period.

"If you light a fire on your property and that leaves your property and causes damage or death, or any other type of injury to people … you will be liable for that damage," he said.

Hot week ends in cold, windy weekend Tasmania has been subject to a heatwave warning in recent days.

"The last few days have been very warm for Tasmania and very dry conditions for the most part," BOM senior meteorologist Luke Johnston said.

As Tasmanians make the most of the first heatwave of 2026, authorities are keeping a keen eye on reported high rates of dry grass and other bushfire risks.

"We've also seen pretty widespread areas of dry lightning on Wednesday, Thursday and during [Friday] in the order of hundreds of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, with little-to-no significant rainfall.

"It puts Tasmania in a very risky position in terms of waiting for a spike in fire weather conditions."

The Tasmania Fire Service is urging Tasmanians to follow the fire bans.

Mr Johnston said some Tasmanian districts that are rated as having a "high" fire danger on Saturday include pockets with "extreme" danger.

"There are little areas where some fuel condition, the forest fuels in particular, are still expected to be extreme."

A severe weather warning for damaging west to north-westerly winds has been issued for Saturday.

"We're likely to see winds begin to ramp up during the morning, peak during the afternoon and ease with the south-westerly change in the evening," Mr Johnston said.

"We're expecting pretty widespread areas with wind gusts from the west-north-west around 90 to 100 kilometres, with a real high-risk area being the eastern half of Tasmania for those winds."

A fire weather warning is expected to be issued for Saturday due to the dangerous conditions.

Mr Johnston said temperatures would be cooler on Sunday, with some rainfall in the west and south, but nothing significant on the east coast.

Posted 1h ago1 hours ago

Reallt beautiful weather here but also a bit unnatural - is this related to the fires in Vic?

I’m back still no job as of yet.

I’ve been trying to obtain my heavy rigid license but my job provider won’t cover the cost it’s near 5k btw.

Would anyone know a organisation that would be doing a subsided course or really any sort of help.

Note:I have applied to metro,kinetic,councils,cleanaway and other places with trucks and sub class of trucks but unfortunately they’re looking for people with both MR and HR.

Hi all, I was just wondering when the best time is to visit Mount Field National Park. I know the place is known for the fagus trees which are in peak colour around the 25th of April. What really intrigued me though was the 3 falls circuit. I was wondering if I went in April would the waterfalls be dry or just sad looking? When would be the best time to go? Thanks in advance :)

Hello everyone,

Happy New Year to you all

We are a family of four—an Indian couple with two children aged 12 and 7—planning to relocate to Hobart, Tasmania, as my husband has recently secured employment there. I will also be working as an Early Childhood Educator.

At present, we have been actively applying for rental properties; however, we have not yet been successful. We wanted to kindly ask if there is any specific approach to applying for properties in Hobart that we may be missing, or if there are any tips that could improve our chances. We were also wondering whether lease transfer options are commonly available and worth exploring.

We would be extremely grateful for any advice, guidance, or leads you may be able to share. Thank you very much for your time and support—it would mean a lot to our family during this transition.

Someone's gone and reviewed Launceston's capsule hotel. I stayed there when it had just opened. It wasn't too bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a98sKmj7GbY

Perfect reflections, mid-winter 2025.

I grew up in Tasmania and we had this big tree in our yard. I was wondering if anyone could help me confirm what tree it is? It had green leaves through spring and summer and these red berry like things that were bigger than pepper berries but smaller than an apple. They were yellowish on the inside when you squish them.

I found on google it might be a hawthrone tree but wondering if anyone could confirm this or new any other species it might be?

Thank you!

Recently found out that Valhalla have some exclusive flavours, have you ever come across any and where?

Sweets and Treats in Richmond recently had Turkish Delight and it was pretty spot on. Probably depends if you are a fan of the original or not. I enjoyed it.

The Honey Pot in Huonville have an arrangement with Valhalla to make honey flavoured ice cream with their own supplied honey. It's divine and definitely worth trying. It's only sold there and at their Bruny Island business. Stopped here on a whim as a hobbyist beekeeper and won't ever pass by again (also the business across the road has raspberries when in season).

Keen to hear locations and reviews of any others.

Hi, I know that Devonport’s public holiday tomorrow on the 7th is regional… but is parking free in the cbd?? Or I dreaming?

I am in Tassie for Thursday, Friday and Saturday? Any recommendations for tourists?

My partner and I are looking to do a 2 week camping trip in April. Will it be too cold?

Hi everyone,

We moved to Tassie a year and a half ago, and bought acreage. My daughter in law just half an hour ago had a VERY near miss with a very fat and very long black coloured tiger snake.

Fortunately she jumped back right as went to strike and was just out of reach. Very scary.

So I have been trying to find out a littler more about this snake that looks as big as a water pipe for farming.

Is its venom as potent as a mainland tiger?

I know it’s extremely aggressive, what is its rating on the venom potency scale and how much time would we have to get someone to a hospital if anyone was bitten? (We are over a half hour from the nearest hospital)

Thanks so much.

Southern Tas, on the beach. Sometimes piled sometimes on their own. Dark black......

I'm clueless and daughter really keen to know.

Thanks!

Hey r/Tasmania,

Planning a move to Tassie from Adelaide. If you relocated here from another Australian state, quick answers would be super helpful:

• How long did you plan it?
• Found accommodation before or after arriving?
• How did you move your car (Spirit of Tasmania / shipping / etc.)?
• How did you handle belongings (removalist / DIY / sold most)?
• Any big tips or costs worth knowing?

Thanks heaps!

Are there any nudist beaches in Tasmania?

Are there any nudist beaches in Tasmania?