Update - Pierces Creek Bush/Grass fire - ADVICE

The ACT Emergency Services Agency advises the community the current alert level for this fire remains at ADVICE. This means that while there is still a fire, there is no immediate danger to the community. There is currently no threat to property and no evacuations have been ordered for residents, horses or other animals. Some members of the community have chosen to take their horses to Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) who are offering free stabling. Information about this is available on the EPIC website: www.exhibitionparkincanberra.com. The fire continues to be uncontrolled and is heading in a south-easterly direction. The fire was last recorded at 8:30pm as being 147 hectares in size, and 7km away from the nearest suburb (Kambah). A map of the fire is available at www.esa.act.gov.au. There are 10 fire crews on site. Back-burning activities will be undertaken overnight, weather permitting. Three bulldozers and two graders are also working to assist with efforts at the site by building containment lines. The Fire Danger Rating for the ACT as at 11:30pm is LOW-MODERATE. The Fire Danger Rating is expected to increase as the day progresses. The community is encouraged to regularly check www.esa.gov.au for updates. The Bureau of Meteorology's severe thunderstorm warning for the ACT and surrounding region has been cancelled. However, there is a high wind warning for tonight and this is expected to ease tomorrow morning. Due to smoke haze, the Health Directorate advises that people with asthma, other chronic respiratory and/or chronic cardiac diseases should not perform vigorous exercise and should stay inside if affected by the dust or smoke. People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they have any difficulties. A Total Fire Ban is not expected to be issued tomorrow. Further updates will be provided if conditions change. The following roads are closed due to the fire: o Kambah Pool Road, from Kambah Pool to Mount Vernon Drive o Paddy's River Road, between the Cotter Road picnic area (near Brindabella Road) and Tidbinbilla Road to the intersection of Point Hut Crossing The following areas are not accessible: o Kambah Pool o Camp Cottermouth o Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve The Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road remain open to through traffic. Some other closures may apply as conditions are reassessed overnight. Residents should be aware of the Bushfire Survival Plan which can be accessed through the ESA website, and are encouraged to continue to monitor local media and the ESA website for more information about this situation. This is the last alert for the evening, further alerts will be issued tomorrow morning and throughout the day.