Strong winds have damaged an aircraft hangar, downed trees and hampered firefighter's efforts on Friday evening.
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A thunderstorm pushing in from the capital's south brought winds so strong it tore a section of the roof off a hangar at Fairbairn, next to Canberra airport.
Across the city, the winds brought down trees and even bringing one down on top of a ute parked in Greenway.
At Pierces Creek, where Canberra firefighters were battling a 134-hectare blaze, the storm temporarily grounded aircraft used to monitor or fight the fire.
Wind speeds on Friday averaged up to 65km/h with gusts up to 90km/h according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The bureau had issued a severe thunderstorm warning earlier on Friday but had cancelled it by 5.40pm.
A special purpose Royal Australian Air Force hangar at Fairbairn had part of its roof torn off by winds on Friday evening.
An airport spokeswoman confirmed there had been no injuries or disruptions to airport services because of the damage.
ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner Dominic Lane said the winds pushed in by the storm played havoc with firefighters efforts to control the Pierces Creek fire.
“We’re also seeing some erratic wind behaviour which is making it challenging for firefighters on the ground,” he said.
Mr Lane said the winds would prevent firefighters from conducting backburns near the blaze to help starve the fire of fuel.
The small amount of rain brought in by the thunderstorm would do little to help firefighters, Mr Lane said.
“It’s just another problem,” Mr Lane said.
The winds were also making it hard for firefighters to predict the direction of the fire.
He was also concerned about risks of spot fires started by embers being blown ahead of the main blaze.
"You think you can be going well and then you get one spot fire," Mr Lane said.
Temperatures in Canberra plummeted 10 degrees in 30 minutes during the thunderstorm, which mainly hit Tuggeranong.
The display at the Wanniassa's Halloween House on Osmond Street was also levelled during the storm.
Owners Connie and Ian Warburton raised $1200 for the Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation, with 1500 to 2000 people going through the display.
Wind conditions in Canberra will ease slightly on Saturday and Sunday.
