The ACT has plenty of firefighting resources ready to go should they be needed during the total fire ban. Photo: ACT ESA.
A total fire ban declaration has been issued for the Territory for Sunday, 25 January, effective from 12 am.
It’s off the back of updated advice from the Bureau of Meteorology that changed Sunday’s fire danger rating to extreme.
ACT Rural Fire Service Chief Officer Rohan Scott said forecast weather conditions meant any fires that occurred on this day would likely spread rapidly and be harder for firefighters to control.
“The ACT Rural Fire Service is prepared to respond if a fire breaks out this long weekend, but community cooperation with the Total Fire Ban restrictions is crucial for everyone’s safety,” he said.
“Please take extra care when parking in grassed areas, mowing your yard, or travelling through remote or forested locations.”
Unless an exemption is issued, during a Total Fire Ban, it is an offence for a person to:
- Light, maintain or use a fire in the open air
- Undertake high-risk activities such as welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting, and use slashers and harvesting machinery in rural areas, as these may cause fires.
During a Total Fire Ban, you are allowed to use gas or electric cooking appliances if:
- The BBQ is under constant adult supervision and attendance
- The BBQ is clear of materials that could burn
- A fire extinguisher or a continuous water supply is available for use to extinguish a fire if needed.
Electric BBQs in Parks and Reserves, including the National Arboretum Canberra, and in Canberra’s urban parks will be available, but all gas BBQs will be turned off.
ACT Parks and Conservation Service has closed several sites across the Territory for the duration of the total fire ban.
All ACT campgrounds remain open except for the Canberra Centenary Trail Northern Border Campsite.
Mr Scott said this was another timely reminder for Canberrans to make sure they’re prepared should a fire get out of control.
“This is unlikely to be the final Total Fire Ban of the season. With two months remaining, we encourage the community to subscribe to Total Fire Ban Alerts or check the ESA website for updates,” he said.
The community’s also been urged to be careful with severe heatwave conditions expected to intensify this weekend and into next week.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Christie Johnson said a low-pressure trough would drag the heat being experienced in the middle of Australia to the southeast.
“On Sunday … the heat hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s just moved inland,” she said.
“In fact, it might take until next weekend to see that heat flushed all the way out.”
Canberra is forecast to reach 39 degrees on Sunday (25 January), 35 degrees on Monday, 38 degrees on Tuesday, 42 degrees on Wednesday, and 38 degrees on Thursday.
“Heatwaves are our most dangerous severe weather phenomenon,” Ms Johnson said.
“It’s important to take precautions, because not only is it a risk to health for vulnerable people, but even healthy people make bad decisions after a few nights of bad sleep and trouble staying cool.”
More information on total fire bans can be found on the ACT ESA website or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
