The Australia Day long weekend is a great chance to spend time with family and friends but it isn't the time to be complacent about the threat of bushfire.
We know that lots of Tasmanian families will head off to some remote areas of Tasmania this weekend to go to our beaches and the shack, but these remote areas are often in the most bushfire prone parts of the State like the East Coast, National Parks and the Central Highlands.
Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said that when it comes to camping, Tasmanians should make themselves aware of campfire restrictions and the use of pot fires and gas barbecues.
"After a couple of serious fires before Christmas, we are grateful that some regular rainfalls, cooler weather, good planning and great community compliance has meant we have avoided any further major fire events so far in January," Minister Ellis said.
"However, there is hot weather ahead and protecting communities is a priority for the Rockliff Liberal Government, which is why we are investing record funds into our emergency services and first responders.
"To further assist our firefighters and protect regional communities we have a nation-leading Fuel Reduction Program. Since we introduced the program in 2014, we have strategically burnt more than 200,000 hectares across Tasmania to protect communities.
"We encourage Tasmanians to get out this long weekend and enjoy our way of life that is the envy of the world, but please be safe and conscientious around fires," Minister Ellis said.
During an emergency TasAlert.com/ is the single best source of true information and if you want to know the fire rating of an area you plan to visit go to https://www.fire.tas.gov.au/fire-danger-rating/
