Firefighters battling raging blazes in Tasmania are expected to face fresh challenges as the weather heats up mid-week.
Authorities are expected to confirm reports of property losses on Tuesday following an erratic fire burning near Geeveston, southwest of Hobart, where about 400 people have evacuated their homes.
Firefighters battle bushfires in Tasmania. Source: Facebook/Southport fire brigade, Tasmania
Seven emergency warnings were in place on Monday night for the 20,000-hectare blaze, known as the Riveaux Road fire, which is also close to the centres of Judbury, Port Huon, Castle Forbes Bay and Lonnavale.
Unprepared residents have been told to evacuate their homes.
An additional emergency warning has been issued for the central Great Pine Tier fire, which has been burning for almost a fortnight, while seven watch and act warnings are in place for a number of blazes across the state.
"Clearly the whole of Tasmania is impacted by smoke and we've even had reports from as far away as New Zealand has been impacted by the Tasmanian fires," Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Bruce Byatt said.
Fire conditions eased slightly on Monday but residents have been told to remain vigilant with the threat forecast to escalate by midweek.
"We're gearing up for that," Mr Byatt said.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Wednesday would be the hottest day for the week, bringing very high-to-severe fire danger ratings, before possible rainfall and thunderstorms, as a cooler change moves through.
"These (fire) alerts will be in place in towns and communities informed for as long as it takes to ensure they're safe," regional chief Jeremy Smith said.
Despite Monday's public holiday, bank branches at Huonville, southwest of Hobart, opened to allow recipients of government assistance grants to cash their cheques.
Authorities are closely watching firefighters, some of whom have been working frontline shifts since before Christmas.
Interstate and New Zealand crews are already helping the Tasmanian fire battle.
Some of Tasmania's National Parks remain closed as the fires continue, with the situation being closely monitored and reconsidered daily.
