27/04/2026
**Updated @ 5pm:
Firefighters striving to contain a bushfire near Swansea today have deployed water bombing aircraft and earth moving equipment to support the efforts of hard-working crews on the ground.
While there is no current threat to the community from the McNeills Road bushfire, warnings remain in place due to available fuels.
Current warnings are:
• Bushfire Advice - McNeills Road, Swansea - Monitor conditions. Swansea and surrounding areas.
• Bushfire Smoke Alert - Dolphin Sands - Cambria Drive - Avoid smoke. Dolphin Sands and surrounding areas.
McNeills Road remains closed to the public.
Fire behaviour can change quickly and residents in the Swansea area should continue to monitor conditions by listening to ABC radio or visiting tasalert.com
Tasmania Fire Service Acting District Officer Brendan Plummer said more than 30 firefighters had worked hard to contain the fire within accessible areas today.
“Some areas to the west remain under active management … smoke and flames will remain visible from this fire, but there is no cause for concern at this stage,” he said.
“Aircraft are continuing water bombing operations on the Meredith River side, targeting active areas and supporting our ground crews.
“Specialist crews from Tasmania Fire Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania are actively extinguishing flare-ups within established fire boundaries today.
“A second aircraft was deployed today to further support suppression efforts this afternoon.
“Additional heavy machinery, including a dozer, will be deployed tomorrow to strengthen control lines.”
The McNeills Road, Swansea fire, which started late Thursday and then increased in activity on Sunday due to changing weather conditions, has burnt about 1030 hectares.
There has been no impact to structures.
Acting District Officer Plummer said firefighters would conduct on-foot patrols in remote areas to assess conditions and ensure there were no remaining flareups beyond driveable tracks.
“Up to eight crews from the TFS East Coast District and STT will return to fireground on Tuesday,” he said.
“Aircraft will be staged overnight at Swansea and tasked early in the morning to continue suppression efforts.”
______
Tasmania Fire Service is continuing to respond to a bushfire near Swansea with about 30 firefighters returning to the fireground today.
Conditions this morning are favourable, supporting firefighting efforts at the bushfire on McNeills Road, Swansea.
👨🚒🔥Work is under way to strengthen and consolidate containment lines around the fire perimeter. This includes the use of aircraft and earthmoving machinery.
McNeills Road remains closed to the public.
➡️Current warnings are:
📌 Bushfire Advice - McNeills Road, Swansea - Monitor conditions. Swansea and surrounding areas
📌 Bushfire Smoke Alert - Dolphin Sands - Cambria Drive - Avoid smoke. Dolphin Sands and surrounding areas.
🔥The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
➡️Smoke, ash and embers are expected to remain visible in the area.
➡️People traveling in the area should be careful if driving in smoke. Turn on your headlights, drive slowly and be aware of emergency services in the area.
➡️If you live in the area of the fire, stay informed and monitor conditions locally by listening to ABC radio or visiting TasALERT
