Authorities are warning Canberrans to stay clear of firegrounds near the Namadgi National Park and Tharwa, amid a rise in so-called "disaster tourism" in the area.
"Say no to disaster tourism. It is a disgrace, there is no two ways about it," ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner Georgeina Whelan said.
Fire crews reported a significant amount of traffic around southern areas of Tuggeranong at the height of the Orroral Valley bushfire on Tuesday evening.
People were seen on streets and nearby vantage points looking at and taking footage of the fires, some being uploaded to social media.
Several people were also seen taking pictures of the fires from lookouts across Canberra including Mount Ainslie.
Ms Whelan said the number of people crowding streets and lookout points was causing unnecessary strain for fire crews.
"Please refrain from doing this. Taking a photo for Instagram is not worth your life," Ms Whelan said on Wednesday morning.
"It is not worth slowing down my staff, who are working tirelessly to keep Canberra safe.
"We had a number of reports from residents in southern suburbs that there was a significant amount of traffic coming into southern suburbs on Tuesday evening."
ACT police told a group of onlookers watching the fire in Gordon on Tuesday night that "if you're not a resident here or you're just looking at the fire, I recommend you do leave."
Many of the roads that residents were converging on to take photos of the fire are some of the only roads in or out of affected fire zones.
Emergency crews say these roads could close at a moment's notice in the event the fires flare up or jump containment lines.
Multiple roads have been closed due to the fires, including Tharwa Drive at the Knoke Avenue/Pockett Drive roundabout, Tidbinbilla Road from Point Hut Road, Angle Crossing at the Monaro Highway and Boboyan Road from the Namadgi Visitor Centre and south from Shannons Flat.
ACT police have been monitoring roadblocks in affected areas.
Ms Whelan said there had been reports of some people getting up on roofs of other people's houses to take photos of the fire.
"There were a number of people coming in to check out the fire to take photos and undertake in disaster tourism," Ms Whelan said.
The ESA commissioner said the issue of disaster tourism due to the fires was the second time in a week it had occurred. There were similar incidents reported after bushfires near Pialligo and Beard.
"It gets to a point where it put lives at risk and limits the response of emergency services and police," Ms Whelan said.
"If you don't need to be in an area where there's fire danger, don't be there."
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
