The fire that never was

THE Tasmania Fire Service has been left red-faced after transmitting an emergency bushfire warning in error to media outlets across the state.

According to the "Watch and Act" media alert â€" issued about 2.30pm today in rainy conditions -- the faux fire was burning out of control near the Midland Highway and threatening homes in the tiny township of Melton Mowbray, about 55km north of Hobart.

Residents were told to activate their bushfire plans. If they planned to leave, they were advised to do so immediately. Residents away from home were told not to return.

Tasmanians were also warned to expect potentially dangerous conditions on the state's major arterial route, with embers and smoke on the road.

The warning was, however, part of a training exercise.

At 2.50pm, TFS chief Mike Brown issued an urgent alert cancelling the warning and advising there was, in fact, no fire.

"A recent Watch and Act message transmitted during a media training exercise approximately 2.30pm referring to a bushfire out of control on the Midland Highway, Melton Mowbray, was transmitted in error," Mr Brown said in a statement.

"There was no such incident.

"I ask that any further transmissions by media channels, both radio and print, cease immediately."

But the TFS admitted the warning had already been transmitted via the designated radio stations and calls had been received from concerned members of the public.

"It's disturbing to think an error of this magnitude could occur," a Melton Mowbray resident told the Mercury.

"We know how to respond if there's a bushfire. In this case it was quite obvious there was not.

"If they'd told us Melton Mowbray was flooding, we'd have believed that given the weather.

"But anyone hearing that message would have rightfully been worried by what they heard."

 

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