ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise the public that, weather permitting, three controlled burns will be conducted today, Saturday 29 November 2014.
The controlled burns will be undertaken near the Australian Institute of Sport, in Gossan Hill Nature Reserve and on Mount Pleasant. These burns will remove debris and protect houses and valuable assets including the Australian Institute of Sport athletics field, Canberra Stadium and the Australian Defence Force Academy.
ACT Parks and Conservation Service intend to conduct more burns on Sunday 30 November 2014. Specific locations will be announced prior to the burns commencing.
Like in all controlled burns, safety will be of paramount importance. Experienced parks fire managers, supported by trained fire-fighters, will conduct the burning operations.
Temporary smoke cover is expected in the area. Every effort is made to conduct the burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke in the area.
It is normal for stumps and heavy logs to continue to smoke and some flames may be visible in the interior of the burn after personnel have left the scene. An assessment by trained fire managers is completed which determines when it is safe to leave a controlled burn unattended. This assessment includes weather and fuel moisture levels. Staff will continue to monitor the burn until no smokes are visible for 24 hours.
It is important to note that a buffer zone of up to 20 metres is also created around the complete perimeter of every controlled 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.
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 updates on controlled burns follow TAMS on Twitter @tamsmediaroom.
For more information, please call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
(Territory and Municipal Services Directorate Media Release)
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