A deliberately-lit bushfire in northeast Tasmania is sparking an emergency warning as winds increase.
The blaze is part of a network of suspicious fires near Fingal which have burned across more than 6600 hectares.
"The Mangana Road fire is believed to have been deliberately lit and is currently being investigated by police," Tasmania Fire Service regional controller Ian Bounds said in a statement on Wednesday.
"It is disappointing for the community to see this type of behaviour occurring where lives and communities are put at risk".
The fire has been burning since Monday and investigators are looking for the arsonist.
"Police have reason to believe the main fire, as well as other fires in the area have been deliberately lit," Northern District Commander Brett Smith said.
"Bushfires are devastating, destructive, and in this case has displaced people from their homes. Someone must know something about who is responsible for this fire."
Afternoon westerly winds again flared the fires on Wednesday.
Across Tasmania there are six watch-and-act alerts in place for fires, plus two further blazes which are at 'advice' level.
A blaze at Pelham in central Tasmania is also of concern to authorities.
Swathes of the state's east coast are covered in smoke and falling ash is widespread.
Australian Associated Press
