The fire danger in parts of Tasmania has risen to extreme, as the island state swelters in temperatures which have reached the high 30s in the state's south.
The extreme fire danger rating, the second-highest of six, was issued on Thursday afternoon for the east coast and midlands.
The mercury at Campania hit 38C in the morning, while Hobart reached 36 degrees.
A wildfire at Mangana in the state's northeast has sparked a 'watch and act' alert, with the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) urging residents near the tiny town to take action to protect their homes.
A severe weather warning has been issued for damaging northwesterly winds with peak gusts up to 100km/h.
The weather conditions have been described by TFS deputy chief officer Bruce Byatt as the worst of the bushfire season to date.
A late southerly has started to drop temperatures in the south and will move up the coast and to the northeast in the evening, the weather bureau says.
There's a chance of thunderstorms and rain in the afternoon.
A total fire ban stretching across the island's east, south, north and centre is in place.
Wildfires in October threatened shack communities in the Central Highlands, prompting authorities to declare the start of the bushfire season.
Australian Associated Press
