19 October 2013

Don't panic as NSW smoke fills our skies

| johnboy
Join the conversation
7

The ACT Emergency Services Agency has received calls from the public this morning concerned about the presence of smoke over Canberra at the moment.

The smoke is coming from bushfires in NSW.

There is no threat to the ACT from these fires. There is also currently no fires in the ACT.

The forecast fire danger rating for the Territory today is HIGH. The smoke haze and fire activity interstate is a timely reminder to the community to PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE.

Download your Bushfire Survival Plan or attend the ACT Rural Fire Service Open Day at Hume tomorrow between 10am and 3pm.

11:23 AM

[Courtesy ESA]

Join the conversation

7
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

bd84 said :

They should send hit squads around to the house of each person and have them eliminated. I mean how stupid do you have to be to ring emergency services just because there is smoke in the air. People with half a brain would know you don’t call them unless you can actually see fire.

Perhaps you could point out where it says that people called 000 to ask about the smoke?

What I read is that people called the ACT ESA. Their own contact page lists a couple of numbers, neither of which is 000 http://esa.act.gov.au/contact-us/

How stupid do you have to be not to realise that anyone who has experienced a bushfire before might just be the teeniest bit worried about smoke in the air? Some people follow them on Facebook, some on Twitter, some make a phone call. Get over it.

Is it just some other local effect, or is there a citrusy smell in the smoke? I was in Cook earlier this evening and didn’t smell it, but on returning home to Woden Valley there’s a strong smell of citrus, at least around our house block.

Pity the people whose homes and nearby bush are generating the smoke.

bd84 said :

They should send hit squads around to the house of each person and have them eliminated. I mean how stupid do you have to be to ring emergency services just because there is smoke in the air. People with half a brain would know you don’t call them unless you can actually see fire.

Marvellous idea, but unfortunately the police are already tied up tailing known arsonists and patrolling nature areas to make sure scumbags don’t deliberately light fires, you know, the people who are actually a danger.

Now if people are calling 000 just to ask or just to report non direction specific smoke, then they should be sternly spoken to about the right number to call. But you see smoke long before you see fire, and by the time you see fire it’s often too late.

Hopefully anybody with half a brain would realise that waiting until you can see flames is way too late. By then you should have made up your mind to get out and be well away and if staying and fighting being very well prepared, fit, dressed protectively and capable. High winds and spotting can drop a fire on top of you with no warning. On a bad fire day fire-fighting resources will be stretched beyond their limits and no help is likely. Victims of the fires in NSW will testify to that. That was also a major factor here on 18th Jan 2003. But then it’s always easier to insult people than to contribute to the topic.

They should send hit squads around to the house of each person and have them eliminated. I mean how stupid do you have to be to ring emergency services just because there is smoke in the air. People with half a brain would know you don’t call them unless you can actually see fire.

HiddenDragon12:24 pm 19 Oct 13

The light already has an anxious-making quality to it, so these advisories are welcome and sensible.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.