Released 12/05/2017
The ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise prescribed burning will be carried out at Kowen Forest on Monday 15 May 2017 and, weather conditions permitting, will take a day or two to complete.
The burn will cover a number of piles of forest debris in three distinct areas totalling 250 hectares. This work will allow for new trees to be planted later this winter.
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 the 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.
Update on autumn prescribed burn program
Each week field crews take detailed measurements of fuel moisture from proposed prescribed burn locations. It is likely for the remainder of the autumn prescribed burn program only pile burns will be undertaken. This is due to the heavy rain received in late March/early April, coupled with the shorter daylight hours and heavy morning dews which have left forest areas wet despite the recent warm autumn days. Crews will continue to monitor and adjust activity if conditions change.
The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has developed a strong partnership with the Asthma Foundation to ensure people are kept informed of prescribed burn activity and the likelihood of smoke. Tips on how to stay safe if there is smoke in the area is available on the Asthma Foundation website.
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.
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.
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