20 November 2019

Second total fire ban this month declared

| Michael Weaver
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Fire fighters

The second total fire ban this month has been issued by the Emergency Services Agency. Photo: File.

ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Georgeina Whelan has declared its second total fire ban this month for the whole of the ACT from midnight tonight (Wednesday, 20 November) until midnight, Thursday, 21 November.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting strong winds and dry conditions tomorrow with a predicted temperature of 39 degrees.

An Emergency Services Agency spokesperson said the forecast fire danger rating for tomorrow is predicted to be severe.

“This means if a fire starts it may be uncontrollable and move quickly. Residents in bushfire-prone areas are urged to review their bushfire survival plan, or if you don’t have a plan in place, to take the time to create one,” the ESA spokesperson said.

During a total fire ban, it is an offence for a person to:

  • Light, maintain or use a fire in the open air
  • Use fireworks in the open air
  • Undertake a high-risk activity which may cause a fire to ignite, including welding, grinding, soldering and gas cutting
  • Use of slashers and harvesting machinery in rural areas.

Strict penalties apply to persons who undertake any of these activities without a fire permit.

Restrictions and closures also apply to many public reserves, camping grounds, pine forests and other remote areas.

The following nature reserves and roads will be closed:

  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (the Visitor Centre will remain open)
  • Selected roads within Namadgi National Park including Corin Road, Old Mill Road, Warks Road and the Mount Franklin Road at Piccadilly Circus (the Namadgi Visitor Centre will remain open)
  • Googong Foreshores
  • Kowen Forest
  • Lower Molonglo River Corridor
  • Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve
  • Mulligans Flat Sanctuary including Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve
  • Centenary Trail between Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve and Hall

The Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road remain open to through traffic.

Swimming areas at the Cotter and along the Murrumbidgee River such as Kambah Pool, Pine Island, Point Hut and Uriarra Crossing will also remain open.

In an effort to accommodate recreational users, the Canberra Nature Park (other than Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserves) and all pine forest areas (other than Kowen Forest) will remain open to the public during the early morning hours, however users are advised that they should leave these areas no later than 10:00 am.

Electric barbeques provided at the Cotter, Casuarina Sands, Pine Island and in Canberra’s urban parks will be available, however, all gas barbeques will be turned off.

The ESA advises you to make sure you know where you will get more information and monitor the situation for any changes. You can do this through esa.act.gov.au, the ESA Twitter and Facebook accounts, local ACT media outlets or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

To find out more about total fire bans, including any closures or restrictions visit esa.act.gov.au or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

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