The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has issued a warning on the increased risk fast-moving grass fires this fire season.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman and Commissioner of ESA, Georgeina Whelan announced that the bushfire season in the ACT officially begun on 1 November, a month later than the usual start date of 1 October.
“The ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) delayed the start of the bushfire season due to recent rain lowering the risk of bushfires during spring,” Mr Gentleman said.
“We anticipate the bushfire risk will remain low throughout November and December,” he said.
“However, when the grass begins to cure over summer this will bring an unwelcome threat of grass fires.”
Mr Gentleman said ESA would place several ACTRFS vehicles at strategic locations around Canberra during high-risk periods.
Commissioner Whelan urged homeowners and rural land holders to prepare their homes and properties for the bushfire season.
“Bush and grass fires can strike at any time and it is vitally important to be prepared,” Commissioner Whelan said.
“Update your bushfire survival plan and have the conversation with your family about what you will do during a fire – including how you will stay informed, when you will leave, what you’ll take,” she said.
“We always try to prepare for the worst, that way we are ready for anything.”
Commissioner Whelan said ACTRFS worked with rural land holders to ensure they were prepared for the fire season by conducting hazard reduction burns and updating farm bushfire plans.
“Farm bushfire plans are vital should we need to access these properties in the case of a fire protection,” she said.
“They use this information to understand what assets require immediate protection, the firefighting resources available on the property and the mapping of the property.”
Commissioner Whelan said rural land holders who wished to conduct hazard reduction burns must obtain a free permit from ACTRFS during the fire season.
Information on how to prepare for the fire season can be accessed on the ESA’s website at this PS News link.
