ACT to deploy more firefighters to Tasmania

The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) will deploy extra personnel to help with fire fighting efforts continuing in Tasmania.

The ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) will deploy another Remote Area Fire Team (RAFT). The team of seven ACTRFS members will depart Canberra tomorrow. They will follow the 20 RAFT crew members already deployed from the ACT last weekend. They will also be part of a contingent of over 100 Remote Area Firefighters from NSW.

The additional RAFT firefighters will fight fire in rugged bushland and difficult terrain to assist Tasmanian fire crews. They will be deployed for seven days.

The first RAFT who departed on Saturday will have a day of rest and then continue on for another five days.

In excess of 50 fires continue to burn predominantly in the Western half of Tasmania.

Tasmanian authorities are very concerned with no relief expected from the forecasted weather conditions.