Prescribed burns to be wrapped up over the weekend


Released 07/04/2017

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise due to the change in forecast for the weekend no new prescribed burns will be commenced and current burns will be consolidated tomorrow, Saturday 8 April 2017.

Work will continue on Saturday on the 399 hectare burn near Wombat fire trail off Brindabella Road in the Lower Cotter Catchment however it is expected to be finalised by the end of the day.

The following prescribed burns are now complete and in the patrol phase:

  • 20.17 hectare burn west of Uriarra Village, south of Brindabella Road and adjacent to Uriarra Village fire trail
  • 12.59 hectare burn at Australian National Botanic Gardens (Black Mountain)
  • 12.1 hectare ecological burn at Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve, Gungahlin Drive, Palmerston
  • 10 hectare ecological burn at Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve, Gungahlin Drive, Franklin.

The 2.58 hectare burn at Coombs near Molonglo River adjacent to Edgeworth Parade scheduled for Friday 7 April was not commenced and has been postponed.

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. Experienced parks fire managers, supported by trained fire-fighters, conduct all burning operations.

Temporary smoke cover may continue across Canberra on Saturday. Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke.

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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