Tasmania is marking the start of March with severe hot weather, prompting a total fire ban for three days across the south of the already fire-ravaged state. As temperatures are forecast to soar into the high 30s, Tasmania could break 11-year March records. Hobart is currently forecast to reach 37C on Saturday and may break its March record of 37.3C from March 2008. The highest March temperature ever recorded in Tasmania was 38C at Campania also in 2008. Dry, hot and gusty conditions, with the potential of thunderstorms, increases the fire risk. "The conditions forecast for Friday and Saturday are equal to the worst we have seen this bushfire season," Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol said in a statement. "Fire agencies and communities have already experienced a very trying bushfire season, and while it may seem that conditions have abated and life is back to normal, the community needs to be aware that we are still battling serious bushfires." He urged people to not use fire, even in regions not covered by the total fire ban. "The last thing any of us need is new bushfires on top of what we are already dealing with," Mr Arnol said. Australian Associated Press
Tasmania is in for a heatwave this weekend with temperatures to go close to the March record of 38C.
Tasmania is marking the start of March with severe hot weather, prompting a total fire ban for three days across the south of the already fire-ravaged state.
As temperatures are forecast to soar into the high 30s, Tasmania could break 11-year March records.
Hobart is currently forecast to reach 37C on Saturday and may break its March record of 37.3C from March 2008.
The highest March temperature ever recorded in Tasmania was 38C at Campania also in 2008.
Dry, hot and gusty conditions, with the potential of thunderstorms, increases the fire risk.
"The conditions forecast for Friday and Saturday are equal to the worst we have seen this bushfire season," Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Chris Arnol said in a statement.
"Fire agencies and communities have already experienced a very trying bushfire season, and while it may seem that conditions have abated and life is back to normal, the community needs to be aware that we are still battling serious bushfires."
He urged people to not use fire, even in regions not covered by the total fire ban.
"The last thing any of us need is new bushfires on top of what we are already dealing with," Mr Arnol said.
