The ACT bushfire season has been pushed back from its traditional start date of 1 October to 1 November this year due to the ongoing wet conditions and confirmed La Nina event.
Announced by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman, there is currently a reduced fire risk in the ACT due to higher moisture content in grasslands, dams at maximum capacity, and the predicted above average rainfall.
“Though we are urging Canberrans to remember that there is always a risk of bush or grass fires starting,” Mr Gentleman said, “It only takes a few days of warmer weather and increased sunshine to dry out grassland.”
“This is a good time for us all to prepare our homes and ensure we have updated our Emergency Survival Plans,” he said.
Commissioner of the ACT Emergency Services Agency, Georgeina Whelan said the official start of the storm season had also been delayed by a month and was set to start on 1 October.
“Our team of teams, including ACT Rural Fire Service, ACT State Emergency Service, ACT Fire & Rescue and ACT Ambulance Service, has been working hard to prepare for the hazard season,” Commissioner Whelan said.
“Now is the time for the community to do their part and prepare their home and families to ensure the ACT is Emergency Ready,” she said.
“Rural land holders can continue undertaking private hazard reduction burns without a fire permit.”
Commissioner Whelan said permits would be required for private hazard reduction burns from 1 November and throughout the official bushfire season.
Further information on preparing for the upcoming storm and bushfires seasons can be accessed at this PS News link.
