Tasmania’s takayna/Tarkine Rainforest is on Fire

 

TasAlert has sent out a bushfire emergency warning to Corinna and surrounds in the state’s west, advising people to seek shelter immediately as the fire travels towards the area. 

The fire has already burnt through around a third of Tasmania’s most well-loved forest, takayna/Tarkine, mostly in the last 48 hours as uncontrolled bushfires burn in the west and central regions of the state. The fires were sparked by dry lightning over a week ago and have since burnt through over 45,000 hectares of land.

In a recent press conference, State Fire Controller and Commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services, Jeremy Smith stated that the last 24 hours in particular have been challenging.

‘We’ve had fire spread in the number of the fire grounds, and approximately an additional 20,000 hectares of vegetation has burnt over the last 24 hour’, he said. ‘It also means that the perimeter of the fire, which is probably around 1,200 kilometres long, with the four major fires all has to be fully extinguished to ensure that they’re out.’

Map from TasAlerts

The two fires of greatest concern to takayna/Tarkine Forest are the Yellowband Plain and Donaldson fires. The ancient forest is considered one of Australia’s most valuable and is home to rare old-growth trees, including what’s believed to be the last known stand of Huon pines untouched by historical logging. 

Stay updated on fire alerts with TasAlert.

The news comes a week after the popular Overland Track was first closed as a separate fire came within 5km of the trail. The fire eventually destroyed infrastructure, including the privately operated Pine Forest Moor hut, 860m of boardwalk, and an 8m-long bridge.

The northern half of the track remains closed until at least Monday 24th of February, 2025. Check the Tas Parks website for updates on the track.

Feature photo by Moey Strong