Tasmania's Overland Track Closed Due to Bushfire Threat
The Overland Track in Tasmania has been closed due to an uncontrolled bushfire, prompting authorities to direct walkers to turn back for safety. Emergency services warn of significant smoke in the area.
Authorities have closed one of Tasmania's most popular bushwalking tracks and forced walkers to turn around due to the impending threat of an uncontrolled bushfire.
The Overland Track, which attracts more than 13,000 walkers each year, is an 80-kilometre, multi-day journey between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair in Tasmania's World Heritage Wilderness Area.
Emergency services say a fire, which was sparked by dry lightning on Monday, is about 5 kilometres south-west of the track, at Pelion West, Canning Peak.
Walkers who were scheduled to depart from Cradle Mountain today have been stopped. Others already on the track north of Windermere have been instructed to return to Cradle Valley.
About 100 walkers have been impacted by the closure. Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) north-west regional manager Nic Deka said the blaze was currently uncontained.
The fire grew significantly overnight and is now just 5 kilometres south-west of the track, Mr Deka said. A watch and act alert has been issued for the Windermere-Pine Forest Moor area.
The Overland Track will be closed for the next three days, PWS said. Significant smoke from the fire is present in the area between Waterfall Valley and Pelion, and anyone currently on the Overland Track is urged to follow instructions from track rangers, Mr Deka said.
Walkers require a permit to do the Overland Track, with numbers limited to 34 per day, in addition to privately guided tours. PWS said walkers affected by the track's closure would be offered refunds.
