DISASTER assistance to fire-stricken communities in Tasmania will start flowing in coming days, the federal government has announced.
The support will be available to help recovery in the Sorell and Tasman local government areas in the state's southeast.
The needs of other areas will be closely monitored, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon announced in a joint statement released on Saturday.
The Australian government is working with local authorities to support affected communities, they said.
"This is a tragic time for those who have suffered loss in the devastating Tasmanian bushfires," they said in the statement.
Assistance grants will be made available through the Tasmanian department of health and human services and will be jointly funded by the commonwealth and state government under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
Three fires are threatening communities along the east coast and in central Tasmania, with thousands of people stranded as roads are cut off.
Ms Gillard said there were clear arrangements for how local authorities, state authorities and federal authorities work together.
"Unfortunately ... our world has given us the opportunity to test all of this, time and time again ... so we'll keep working to support communities," she told the Nine Network.
She said the focus at the moment was "still fighting the fires".
Ms Gillard said she would like to visit bushfire-ravaged communities but needed to ensure she would not disrupt any emergency efforts.
"I do like to go and visit communities that have been affected by disasters, but you've got to judge the right time ... and you are not in any way disrupting what are immediate efforts to deal with the emergency."
She said it broke her heart when she saw footage of the damage caused by bushfires.
"I'm obviously from Victoria. We saw that huge loss of life in the Victorian bushfires. The destructive power of fires is just so awesome.
"So whenever you see those pictures, whenever you see that kind of loss, it really does touch a chord in you."
Ms Gillard reminded people the extreme heat was widespread across Australia.
"That means there are risks in more areas than Tasmania.
"The best thing people can do is stay in touch with local authorities" and heed local community warnings, she said.
Information on assistance that is available is at www.disasterassist.gov.au or www.dhhs.tas.gov.au.
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