Source: Tasmania Fire Service

Bushfire Watch and Act - Swanwick and Coles Bay - Avoid the area
This is a Bushfire Watch and Act message for Swanwick and Coles Bay.

There is an uncontrollable bushfire at Coles Bay Road, Friendly Beaches.

This fire is expected to put Swanwick and Coles Bay at high risk in the next few hours.

The fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Friendly Beaches.

Embers, smoke, and ash may fall on Swanwick and Coles Bay and threaten you and your home before the main fire arrives.

Tasmania Fire Service is attending. Conditions are expected to worsen.

What to do:
The Tasmania Fire Service have advised that Coles Bay Road is closed at the turnoff from the Tasman Highway and people are not to enter Coles Bay Road at this time. People in the Swanwick and Coles Bay townships and surrounding areas are advised to stay in that location and monitor conditions.

If you have prepared your home and can actively defend it, it should provide shelter.

If you are going to leave, make sure you have a clear path to a safer place.

There is a nearby safer place at Coles Bay Boat Ramp.

If your family has made a bushfire plan, use it now.

If you do not live near Swanwick and Coles Bay, stay away. The roads could be very dangerous.

For fire updates, listen to ABC Local Radio or visit tasalert.com

Community Information:
For information on current road closures, visit the Tasmania Police website: police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/

People at higher risk from the effects of smoke, including those with medical conditions, are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke and managing their health. Advice is available from the Department of Health health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/environmental-health/air-quality or Asthma Australia asthma.org.au/triggers/wood-heaters-woodfires-and-bushfires/

If there is a fire and your plan is to evacuate or leave, the best option is to stay with family or friends.

TFS Current Bushfires