Launch of 2017-18 ACT bushfire season


Released 15/09/2017 - Joint media release

A drier than average winter and an increase in forest fuel could lead to a challenging bushfire season in the ACT, the Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has warned.

The official bushfire season commences this Sunday (1 October 2017) in the ACT, with all the indicators suggesting an above-average bushfire risk for the Territory this summer.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said the advice to the Canberra community about this year’s bushfire season was clear.

“Our drier than average winter has created potentially hazardous fire conditions for this summer. This increases the importance of being fully prepared before the bushfires start,” Minister Gentleman said.

“The ACT Government is well-advanced with preparations including our ongoing hazard reduction burning program, targeted grazing, and pre-season training for ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) brigades and Parks and Conservation personnel.

“Prescribed burning to prepare for the bushfire season has already been conducted at Kama Nature reserve, National Botanic Gardens surrounds, Uriarra Village and Uriarra Forest, Aranda, Kowen Forest, Jerrabomberra Grasslands, Mulangarri Grasslands, Sterling Park, Yarramundi Reach and Gungaderra Grasslands,” Minister Gentleman said.

Before the bushfire season, it is important for all Canberrans to:

  • Identify if you live or work in a Bushfire Prone Area and what that means;
  • Ensure you understand the Bushfire Danger Rating System; and
  • Prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan.

Minister Gentleman said the Emergency Services Agency was well-equipped to handle the upcoming bushfire season.

“The ESA has over 500 ACTRFS members, more than 330 paid ACT Fire and Rescue firefighters, 150 firefighters in the Parks and Conservation Service, and 13 ACTRFS staff, who all do a fantastic job protecting the ACT from the risk of bushfires,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

For more information on this year’s bushfire season, and how to prepare your property visit: http://esa.act.gov.au/actfr/

- Statement ends -

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