Firefighters have extinguished the fire in a large pile of pallets within the industrial estate at Parkwood in West Belconnen.
The fire started on Friday afternoon and quickly spread to nearby grassland before being put out with the help of water-bombing helicopters based in the ACT for the bushfire season.
ACT Fire & Rescue maintained a presence at the site on Parkwood Road over the weekend until the pallet pile fire was fully extinguished.
Fire crews returned earlier this morning to wet down any hot spots and will continue to return periodically for the next few days to ensure no flare up occur.
Nine crew members from ACT Fire & Rescue worked through the night Friday, turning the large, smoulding pile over with excavators and bulldozers while a Commander actively contained the fire.
The pile of pallets was approximately 200 metres x 50 metres in diameter.
ACT Fire & Rescue advised smoke was being generated from the fire in the immediate area above but was quickly dissipating in the air.
The grass fire, which was sparked by spotting from the burning pallets, burnt out approximately 41 hectares. This is equal to 80 football fields.
Residents from nearby properties in Macgregor were advised to leave on Friday but returned home later that day when conditions improved.
The Fire Danger Rating where the fire had been burning was deemed VERY HIGH on Friday, but fortunately no one was seriously injured and no property was lost.
Fires burning in VERY HIGH conditions can be difficult to control – flames may burn into the tree tops. Such fires can lead to death and injury and damage and destruction to homes and businesses.
Well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire. Embers may be blown ahead of the fire. Spot fires may occur up to 2 km ahead of the fire.
Homes only offer safety if they are well prepared and can be actively defended during a fire. Leaving is the safest option for survival in such cases.
Do you have a Bushfire Survival Plan? Find out how to set one up here.
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