More than 20,000 homes in the capital are in the bushfire prone area, the ACT Emergency Services Agency says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The bushfire season, which started on September 1, was brought forward a month amid increased risk of extreme weather.
Traditionally, the bushfire season commences on October 1 and runs through until March 31, unless conditions warrant a variation.
Emergency Services Agency commissioner Dominic Lane urged every Canberran to check if they were in high-risk areas.
"If you live in a bushfire prone area you need to prepare yourself and your home now," Mr Lane said.
"The seasonal outlook indicates that we are experiencing the most severe bushfire conditions since 2002‑03."
He said recent bushfire activity in New South Wales demonstrated the increased risk in the ACT.
"Not having a plan, or planning to make a plan, is simply not good enough, you need to be prepared," he said
"We live here in the bush capital, bushfires will occur in Canberra every summer."
Canberra's built-up areas that are adjacent to forest and grassland are defined as bushfire prone areas, as is the ACT's entire rural area. Canberrans can check if they're located in bushfire prone areas via the emergency services agency website.
The bureau's El Nino forecast warned that most climate models now suggest El Nino thresholds could be met by mid- to late spring. The potential effects of such an event also include reduced rainfall, a shift in temperature extremes, an increased risk of frost and decreased alpine snow depths.
Mr Lane said understanding individual level of risk was important.
"Even if you don't live in a bushfire prone area it is still important to have a bushfire survival plan," he said.
"Go to our website and download a bushfire survival plan, fill it in and have a discussion with your family about what you will do in the event of a fire."
The agency also encouraged residents to understand the Fire Danger Rating levels. The ratings, which are displayed on electronic signs on all major arterial roads across the ACT, have been updated daily since the start of the bushfire season.
"During a bushfire, alert levels are used to give you an indication of the level of threat from a fire," he said.
"If you get a bushfire alert, you must take it seriously.
"Remember – don't wait for a warning. Some fires start and spread so quickly there may not be any time for a warning."
More information on bushfire season is available at esa.act.gov.au.
