The ACT will delay the start of its official bushfire season by a month for the second year in a row, with fire risk expected to be below normal in spring.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ACT Emergency Services Commissioner Georgeina Whelan has declared the territory's bushfire season will begin on November 1, rather than October 1.
A spokeswoman for the Emergency Services Agency said the high moisture content in vegetation across the ACT was the predominant reason to push the fire season back.
"The ACT will likely see an increase in grass fires once the current lush grass starts to cure. The ACT community is reminded to prepare their properties and their family and ensuring they are emergency ready all year round," the spokeswoman said.
The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council's seasonal outlook predicts below normal fire potential across the ACT, NSW and Victoria, due to vegetation recovering after the severe impact of the Black Summer fires in 2019-20.
The council's seasonal outlook said the ACT rainfall in winter was above average, which was expected to continue well into spring.
"As a result of these conditions, the ACT for spring is expecting normal fire potential for our grasslands, however below normal fire potential for forested areas given sustained and increased fuel moisture conditions from increased rainfall, and as a result of forest areas burnt in the 2019-20 fire season," the council's report said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
However, the report noted long-term warming of the Australian climate meant fire season length and severity was increasing across much of the continent.
"While most of Australia shows normal bushfire potential during the spring outlook period, anyone living and working in these areas needs to be vigilant. Destructive and deadly fires can still occur during normal bushfire seasons across Australia," the report said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram