Residents have been told to flee as an out-of-control bushfire threatens homes and lives in a picturesque Tasmanian coastal town.
An emergency warning was issued for Stieglitz, near St Helens on Tasmania's northeast coast, on Wednesday morning.
The bushfire at Dianas Basin was travelling towards Peron Street and surrounds, with the Tasmanian Fire Service warning it could put lives in danger and destroy homes.
"There is expected to be thick smoke, and showers of embers which may cause fires all around you," the alert said.
"Spot fires may threaten your home before the main fire arrives.
"Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe."
People have been told to leave immediately and head to a safe location, as long as roads are clear.
Stieglitz Boat Ramp has been declared a place of "last resort".
The bushfire was reported about 12.35pm on Tuesday and sparked an emergency warning in the evening before the threat was downgraded to watch and act overnight.
About 50 people stayed at an evacuation centre in St Helens overnight.
There were 28 fire trucks, three aircraft and two heavy machines responding to the fire on Tuesday and more crews were expected to arrive on Wednesday.
At least two structures have been damaged but the full extent of the damage won't be known for some time.
"Rapid impact assessment will take place as soon as possible and we will keep the community informed of any updates," incident controller David Casteller said.
Further south, people have been told they can return with caution following a large blaze at Dolphin Sands, near Freycinet National Park.
Nineteen homes were destroyed and 14 others sustained some damage in the fire sparked in the seaside community on December 4.
It comes after the death of experienced firefighter John Lohan, who was struck by a falling tree on Sunday night while battling a major fire at Bulahdelah on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Lohan was the first NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter to die on the job since 2011 and the third person killed in a bushfire-related incident in recent weeks.
NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Trent Curtin visited fire crews in Bulahdelah on Tuesday and said they were getting on with the job while mourning the tragic loss.
"We've felt that right across the firefighting fraternity," Curtin told ABC TV.
High fire danger ratings remain in place for much of inland NSW on Wednesday, but widespread rain may offer a reprieve for tired crews.
"We really hope that this rain hits in all the right places to bring under control some of those fires that we're finding really, really difficult, particularly around the Upper Hunter region," Curtin said.
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