Tas bushfire heading towards Cradle Mt

Winds are driving an out-of-control bushfire towards Tasmania's famed Cradle Mountain tourism area.

A watch and act alert is in place for residents, with the fire set to hit Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley some time before midnight on Saturday.

"This fire will be difficult to control. There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Cradle Mountain and Cradle Valley," the Tasmania Fire Service said on Saturday night.