The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) is preparing for the start of the bushfire season in the knowledge that wetter conditions than average so far this year are expected to increase the risk of fast-moving grass fires.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman warned Canberra’s community not to become complacent with the recent rainfall but to ensure their households were bush and grass fire ready.
“The upcoming fire season will be driven by different climate conditions than the previous two fire seasons, according to the outlook released today by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre,” Mr Gentleman said.
“We saw wet weather across winter, with more forecast for Spring, increasing the risk of grass fires in the ACT,” he said.
Mr Gentleman said the ESA worked all year round to ensure staff, volunteers and the community were prepared, well informed and equipped for the upcoming bush and storm season.
“We ask that you take the time to ensure you are prepared too,” he said.
Acting Chief Officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service, Rohan Scott urged all Canberra residents to review their Bushfire Survival Plans and prepare their property with a focus on potential impacts from fast moving grass fires.
“For the outlook period, normal fire conditions are expected, even though the ACT received sufficient rainfall to remove the residual drought that was posing a raised forest fire threat for the coming fire season,” Chief Officer Scott said.
“As the effect of the rains on grass fire risk may not become clear until the end of spring or early summer, our level of preparedness will remain high – we will continue to monitor conditions over the coming months and will take action to mitigate those risks,” he said.
Information on how to be bushfire ready can be accessed on the ESA’s website at this PS News link.
