The Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police are requesting the assistance and vigilance of the public on days of statewide Total Fire Ban.

Police are investigating the cause of the Lake Repulse fire in the Derwent Valley, which commenced Thursday morning; indications are that it started as a result of a campfire that was not correctly extinguished on the Wednesday night.

The Tasmania Fire Service reminds the public that fires have started on Total Fire Ban days because people have left previously lit fires unattended or not properly extinguished, or by careless work practices. Any previously lit fires need to be checked and they need to be cool to touch.

“There are significant penalties that can be imposed on anyone not adhering to the Total Fire Ban restrictions,” said TFS Chief Officer, Mike Brown.

The ban includes the use, in the open, of cutting, welding or other similar equipment that can cause a fire. Although the use of agricultural machinery, for the purpose of harvesting crops or slashing grass, is not included in this ban, operators are requested not to use this type of machinery today due to the dangerous conditions.”

Additional careless actions such as flicking cigarette butts out of car windows can also be catastrophic in such conditions.

“Detectives will investigative these scrub fires with the intent to determine the cause and if appropriate, prosecute the offenders for not only starting the fire, but any subsequent damage or injury to persons caused by the fire,” said Detective Inspector Colin Riley.

“Timely information provided by the public, including descriptions of people and vehicle registrations in the area concerned, are invaluable in determining the cause of these fires.”

All fires should be reported by dialing "000".

The Tasmania Fire Service encourages everyone living in and around the bush to review their bushfire plan NOW; leaving early is the safest option.

More information is available on the TFS website.

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