Four prescribed burns across Canberra tomorrow

Released 05/04/2017

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise that four prescribed burns will be undertaken tomorrow. One of the burns will continue for several days.

The burns will include:

• a 399 hectare burn near Wombat fire trail off Brindabella Road in Lower Cotter Catchment
• a 12.59 hectare burn at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
• a 12.1 hectare ecological burn at Gungaderra grassland nature reserve, Gungahlin Drive, Palmerston
• a 10 hectare ecological burn at Mulanggari grassland nature reserve, Gungahlin Drive, Franklin.

The ecological burns are designed to benefit habitat at the grasslands, while also protecting Canberra. The other burns are to help reduce fire fuel and risk of bushfire.

Experienced parks fire managers, supported by trained fire-fighters, will conduct the burning operations. Temporary smoke cover is expected across Canberra. Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke.

Staff will continue to monitor the burn sites until smoke has not been visible for 24 hours. A buffer zone of up to 20 metres is also created around the complete perimeter of every prescribed burn.

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. People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they have any difficulties.

All prescribed burns are listed on the Upcoming Prescribed Burns page on the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development website along with maps and advice.

Members of the public can also find out more information about upcoming burns by following @ACT_Parks on Twitter, @ACTParks on Facebook or by completing a simple smartform to get all ACT Parks prescribed burn updates by email.

For tips on how to stay safe if there is smoke in the area, visit the Asthma Foundation website.

Before any burns are undertaken major stakeholders, including the Emergency Services Agency, the Australian Federal Police, Air Traffic Control, Roads ACT and the Bureau of Meteorology are advised. For more information, please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

- Statement ends -

ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

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