This powerful photo of three exhausted Tasmanian firefighters has gone viral

Another house has been destroyed by bushfires in Tasmania after hot, dry winds fuelled blazes across the state.

The image of the firefighters.

The image of the firefighters. Source: Facebook - John Lyons via The Wolfe Brothers

A photo of worn-out Tasmanian firefighters has gone viral as the state struggles to control several bushfires.

The photo, taken by firefighter John Lyons and shared by The Wolfe Brothers, shows Jason Luck, John Kroczewski, Paul Catteral covered in ash.

"Nearly 3 percent of the state has been destroyed. A friend sent us this photo, look at these incredible men, they look like they have been in a war zone," the post reads.
It comes as another house was destroyed overnight, with seven homes lost in total.

The latest property was ravaged by the Riveaux Road fire in the Huon Valley, southwest of Hobart, after hot, dry winds fuelled blazes across the state.

To date four houses have been destroyed in the Huon Valley and three houses were also destroyed at the Great Pine Tier fire in the Central Plateau, the Tasmania Fire Service confirmed on Monday.

The home was lost on Sunday afternoon amid worsening conditions.

Authorities are investigating reports of further property loss in the Huon Valley and on the state's central plateau.

An emergency warning has been downgraded for wildfires in central Tasmania that were threatening homes at Reynolds Neck.
A bushfire burns in Miena.
A bushfire burns in Miena. Source: AAP
Fifteen alerts remain in place for fires across the state, some of which started before Christmas.

About 191,000 hectares have now been destroyed.

Among the casualties are a near-century-old trapper's hut and significant damage has been caused to the popular Tahune Airwalk.

Vast tracts of wilderness in the state's southwest have been charred.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on Monday visited the Huonville evacuation centre that has become home to hundreds of people.

"Despite the ferocity of these fires ... property damage has been limited in relative terms," the prime minister said.
He commended the work of fire crews and said Tasmania will rely on fellow Australians continuing to visit the island state and drive the tourism industry to recover and rebuild.

"I want to commend everyone for the volunteer effort they've put in, those who've opened up their homes," Mr Morrison said.

"We've had around 1,500 fighters rotate through this fire and there'll be more to come in the weeks ahead. It is not over."
What's left of  the Tahune airwalk in Tasmania.
What's left of the Tahune airwalk in Tasmania. Source: AAP
Mr Shorten, meanwhile, urged the government to open their cheque book and commit whatever recovery funds necessary.

"Now is not the time for government to go missing," he said.

There could be some relief on the way for weary crews and worried residents, with parts of Tasmania forecast to receive up to 20mm of rain on Thursday.

"Sadly, if it misses our fires we'll have a lot of work in front of us still," TFS chief officer Bruce Byatt said.


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3 min read
Published 4 February 2019 2:50pm
Updated 4 February 2019 3:18pm


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