A special working group has been put together, prompted by a series of deliberately lit fires across the state’s north last bushfire season.
The taskforce will comprise Tasmania Police, the Tasmania Fire Service, City of Launceston and the Environment Protection Authority, working together to reduce the number of preventable fires around the Launceston region.
Firefighters were called to more than 400 fires in the northern region last bushfire season – 160 of those in the greater Launceston area.
Authorities have deemed around 70 to 80 of those fires were deliberately lit.
TFS Northern Deputy Regional Chief Steven Richardson said the working group would proactively address illegal dumping, waste burning, and deliberately lit bushfires.
“By sharing intelligence, improving communication between our organisations, and engaging with the community, we aim to mitigate risks in these targeted areas and promote fire safety,” he said.
“This coordinated approach will not only help us identify and address potential threats before they escalate but also empower our community with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves and their surroundings.
“To further support these efforts, we will be engaging with community leaders to help combat these dangerous behaviours.”
