Monday's controlled burn in Canberra's north was a pre-emptive strike to keep territory residents safe come summer, ACT Emergency Services commissioner, Dominic Lane, says.
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He said while winter burns were not unusual, this year's dry autumn had made the operation possible.
''Even with the recent rains, we have had a very dry autumn,'' he said. ''There is a bigger push than ever to do hazard reduction burns whenever we can. If we miss the opportunity we can have serious problems if we have a wet spring.''
Monday's controlled burn, near the intersection of the Barton Highway and William Slim Drive in Giralang, was a significant operation.
Two tankers, an ESA command car and nine ESA staff were deployed to burn off about five hectares.
Residents were warned of potential smoke hazards beforehand.
''Every effort is made to conduct the burn in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke,'' Commissioner Lane said.
The ACT Health Directorate warns that people with asthma or other respiratory and cardiac diseases should stay inside if they are affected by smoke. People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they had difficulties.
Recent changes in winter's weather outlook have made the need for burns even more important than usual.
''The original prediction was for a winter that was going to be colder and drier than the average,'' Commissioner Lane said. ''Now it appears as if it is going to be wetter and warmer.''
That meant more grass was likely to grow over the winter, creating potentially hazardous fuel build-up in the timbered areas around the city's suburban hubs.