West Coast fires threaten local honey industry

TASMANIAN beekeepers face a nervous wait as bushfires sparked by dry lightning strikes threaten the state's valuable honey production areas.

A significant number of dry lightning strikes have caused bushfires on the West Coast, raising concerns for Leatherwood and Manuka trees growing in the area, as well as local beehives.

President of the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association Lindsay Bourke said local beekeepers in the area are keeping a close eye on the situation and are in close contact with Parks and Wildlife Tasmania to ensure their at-risk hives remain safe.

It is estimated that at this time of year the North West and West Coast regions are home to around 10,000 local beehives.

Mr Bourke said the fires are not only a direct danger to bees but also the leatherwood trees and the environment they live in.

Mr Bourke’s hives are currently located about 7 kilometres from the fire zone.

“Parks and Wildlife have assured me that there’s no immediate danger, but one of our beekeepers at Trial Harbour has some hives near the fires, and he is on high alert.”

Mr Bourke says while the bee hives are safe at the moment, he stressed 

the need to remain prepared. 

“If the situation worsens, we’ll rush in and get [the hives] out if we have to,” he said.

Mr Bourke said the fires spreading in an area where the leatherwood trees live could have devastating consequences, not just in the short term but for many years to come.

“The worst thing about if leatherwood trees burn is that they won’t regenerate for a long time because they don’t like ash in the soil, so that’s a worry.”

However, he said the Manuka trees would bounce back a lot easier.

“For the three kilometres around these trees it’s vital that nothing burns,” he said.

“We’re just on the lookout to make sure we don’t lose any hives.”

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecasted further thunderstorms across the East Coast and Midlands, which may bring more lightning strikes and intensify the fire threat.

Firefighters from the Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Parks & Wildlife have been working to contain the fires, while air crews conduct spotter flights to map the fires and prioritize response efforts.

A bushfire just outside of Zeehan is currently under an Advice Warning, with the local community advised to monitor the situation closely. 

Meanwhile, an additional fire near Mount Donaldson prompted a similar warning for the Corinna area.

While firefighters are doing everything they can, if the fires continue to spread Mr Bourke noted it could be a long road to recovery for bees, the leatherwood trees and the surrounding ecosystem.