About 3000 hectares worth of bush at Namadgi National Park is set to be burned this week in the largest prescribed burn ever carried out by ACT Parks and Conservation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The burn-off, which began on Wednesday, created a visible smoke haze in Canberra on Thursday.
The unprecedented burn is taking place south of Corin Road on the eastern side of the Cotter River, as well as north of Smoker Trail Road.
Prescribed fire coordinator Brian Levine said the burn was a continuation of one started in 2013.
"This is the largest burn we've ever implemented," he said.
"It's a complicated yet relatively sophisticated process."
Mr Levine said the burn would protect sensitive features of the park and reduce fuel loads before the next bushfire season.
The operation would also remove invasive plant species and help protect Canberra's water supply.
The danger to nearby residents would be relatively low, Mr Levine said.
"We pick these very specific windows where we believe we'll have suitable fire weather," he said.
"We feel relatively confident when and if we pull the trigger."
The operation is set to last four to six days, with smoke expected to be visible across parts of Canberra for up to several weeks.
People with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases, such as asthma, should avoid vigorous exercise or excessive exposure to smoke during this time, according to authorities.
More than 3400 hectares are expected to be burned overall, including the 3000 hectares at Namadgi.
The other prescribed burns are:
- 11.46 hectares in the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve
- 6.54 hectares at the Bonshaw Grasslands near Jerrabomberra
- 20.94 hectares at the Point Hut Hill Reserve
- 380.17 hectares in the northwest of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
The ACT government is looking for community feedback on its strategic bushfire management plan, which you submit at yoursay.act.gov.au/bushfire-management-plan
