Canberrans are being urged to review their bushfire survival plans with a focus on the risk of grass fire following the release of the National Council for Fire & Emergency Services’ (AFAC*) summer outlook.
Releasing its Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2022, AFAC said soil moisture across the ACT was very much “above average” as a result of extensive rainfall during Spring.
“The ACT is predicted to continue to receive above average rainfall throughout summer, and daytime temperatures are not expected to exceed median maximum temperature,” AFAC said.
“As a result of these conditions, the ACT for summer is expecting normal fire potential for our grasslands with extensive grass growth across the Territory,” it said.
“Below normal fire potential is expected for forested areas given sustained and increased fuel moisture conditions from increased rainfall, and as a result of forest areas burnt in the 2019-20 fire season.”
However, AFAC said if the expected rainfall was not received, there was the potential risk of increased grass fires during summer.
The Council urged ACT residents to review their survival plans with a particular focus on grass fire risk, and to manage grasses near their property to prevent potential impacts of fast-running grass fires.
“It is important to clear around fences,” AFAC said.
“Rural residents are advised to place and maintain strategic breaks to check fire runs,” it said.
“Fire services and land managers will also be implementing plans to further mitigate that risk.”
The AFAC’s Summer Outlook can be accessed at this PS News link.
*Note: AFAC changed its name from Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council to The National Council for Fire & Emergency Services but has kept its original acronym.
