PRIME MINISTER Julia Gillard says the Federal Government is working with local and state authorities to support communities affected by bushfires across Tasmania.
Three fires are threatening communities along the East Coast and in central Tasmania, with thousands of people stranded as roads are cut off.
When asked if the Federal Government would provide financial assistance to victims, Ms Gillard said the main focus was combating the blazes.
"We've got very clear arrangements for how local authorities, state authorities and federal authorities work together," she told the Nine Network.
"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 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," she said.
"The best thing people can do is stay in touch with local authorities."
The State Government urged people Tasmanians needing assistance to contact their local refuge centre.
For more information, including addresses of refuge centres, click here.
Acting Department of Health and Human Services secretary Michael Pervan said a number of refuge centres had been set up to help people access accommodation and other services.
Mr Pervan said the agency was providing emergency accommodation, financial payments, counselling, food and medical services.
"Thousands of people have been displaced temporarily and we are working with other emergency services through our refuge centres to help in this difficult time," he said in a statement.
The Southern Recovery Committee, with help from local councils, has set up three emergency refuge centres -- Sorell Hall, Cole St, Sorell, the Civic Centre, Nubeena and the Hobart City Hall, Macquarie St -- to cater for people evacuated from the peninsula.
Children and Youth Services will provide needs-assessed emergency relief payments to permanent residents of Tasmania.
Housing Tasmania is providing emergency accommodation for people displaced by fires.
It is appealing for accommodation providers in the greater Hobart area with room to house families of between four and eight people for up to two nights to call on 6233 8829.
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