The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has announced that Canberra’s 2018-19 bushfire season is to begin on 1 September, a month earlier than usual, due to the expectation of hot, dry conditions ahead.
ESA Commissioner, Dominic Lane (pictured) said he made the decision after an assessment of the current conditions and consideration of forecast weather.
“The Bureau of Meteorology has advised a predicted El Niño event may produce hotter and drier conditions as we head into summer and unless the future outlook starts to suggest a different situation, predicted elevated risks to the ACT from heatwave, wildfire and dust storms are likely,” Mr Lane said.
“All Canberrans should ensure they understand Fire Danger Rating (FDR) levels to help them make decisions when travelling in and around the ACT.”
He said that from 1 September the ESA would update the FDR daily, which is displayed on electronic signs on all major arterial roads across the ACT, as well as on the home page of the ESA website.
“In addition, people living in Bushfire Prone Areas should download a Bushfire Survival Plan from the ESA website, fill it in and have a discussion with their family about what they will do in the event of a fire,” Mr Lane said.
“During the bushfire season, rural landowners and managers must obtain a free permit from the ACT Rural Fire Service before conducting hazard reduction burns.”
