A dramatic rescue operation has successfully winched a woman to safety after she was spotted by aerial firefighters waving a towel in distress in the middle of an out-of-control bushfire.
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Tasmanian fire crews had been dispatched to fight a vegetation fire at Geeveston, west of Huonville in the state's south about 2pm on Friday when they came across the lone figure amongst the smoking trees.
"Once our aircraft got on scene and commenced firefighting activities, they noticed a person within the fire footprint that was waving a towel and seemed to be in duress," Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said.
The pilot considered landing to evacuate the woman, who was spotted at the heel of the fire in an area that was already burnt, but was unable to do so due to a lack of suitable sites.
They radioed in police rescue crews at 3.15pm.
"They weren't under significant danger unless there was a wind change where the fire could potentially come back, and radiant heat would have been a concern," Mr Lowe told reporters.
As they waited for rescue crews to arrive, the firefighting aircraft surrounded the woman with water to keep the flames at bay.
Tasmania Police arrived 15 minutes later, with footage showing a rescuer being winched down into the smoky forested area from a helicopter.
The woman and the rescuer could be seen traversing the difficult terrain towards each other in the charred forest remains before navigating over burnt fallen tree trunks to a barren area, where she was winched to safety.
Tasmania Police Acting Commander Andrew Keen said the woman was flown back to Ranelagh Showgrounds and assessed by paramedics.
"She is of good health and has no injuries and won't be going to the hospital," he said.
Mr Lowe said it was a good outcome for the member of the public and the emergency services.
"It is something that we do some exercising around, but in my experience, it's the first time we've actually had a real life scenario where this has occurred," he said.
An advice message is in place for the Geeveston area for an uncontained fire that has burnt more than 25 hectares.
Authorities warn smoke and aviation activity will be visible around the area while firefighting activity continues.
Australian Associated Press
