The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has launched its prescribed burning program for autumn, planning 38 burns over 6,000 hectares and advising people with health issues to take protective action.
The burns program began at seven locations across the ACT last week.
In a statement, the Service said the burns are necessary to reduce fire hazards and protect assets, as well as for ecological and cultural reasons.
A total of 60 hectares were burnt over two days last week at Jarramlee Nature Reserve, Jerrabomberra Grasslands, Gungaderra Grasslands, Dunlop Grasslands, Mulanggari Grasslands, Kama Nature Reserve, and Crace Grasslands.
This was followed by burns at Point Hut Hill and Diddams Close in Belconnen yesterday (Wednesday 3 April).
The Service said that when burns were scheduled, people with asthma, other chronic respiratory and-or chronic cardiac diseases should not perform vigorous exercise and should stay inside if affected by the smoke.
“The prescribed burn program will operate across autumn to reduce fire fuel loads, protect the community and improve ecosystem health,” it said.
“Most burns will be designed to reduce bushfire fuel loads, while some smaller ecological burns will also be conducted to increase native vegetation and decrease weeds.”
The Service said the burns were part of a comprehensive fuel reduction program it conducts each year.
“This also includes physical fuel removal, slashing, grazing, training for staff and fire trail maintenance and upgrades,” it said.
