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HOBART - A thick blanket of smoke and ash caused by bushfires burning in Tasmania's south-west today hung over Hobart and surrounding suburbs.
The fires, sparked by lightning strikes on Friday, were threatening private properties, world heritage and state forests as well as pine plantations, although cooler conditions today had eased the danger, said Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) spokesman Danny Reid.
"The weather should make working conditions for firefighters more comfortable and give them a chance to get control lines in to help bring the blazes under control," he said.
The TFS said 21,000 hectares had been burnt out in the South West National and the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Eighteen bushwalkers were evacuated by helicopter from the area yesterday and a number of public tracks remain closed today.
Three separate fires are burning in the Tullah-Cradle Mountain area, in the state's north-west.
The largest, which started near a logging coupe at South Bruny Island, has so far roared through 2500ha of forest.
Mr Reid said it is thought lightning did not start the blaze.
Another fire is burning at Judbury in the Huon Valley, south-west of Hobart.
"Properties were threatened there yesterday but overnight rain and an easing of weather conditions has eased the threat to all areas," Mr Reid said.
"But the fires are still burning and people must remain vigilant and be aware they may need to stay and defend their property or relocate to an area they have already determined as part of their bushfire safety plan."
Weather predictions for the next few days are fine and mild without substantial rain.
A total of 21 bushfires are currently burning in the state.
- AAP
