UPDATE - TOTAL FIRE BAN declared in the ACT for tomorrow with a SEVERE Fire Danger Rating forecast.

ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Dominic Lane has declared a Total Fire Ban for the whole of the ACT under Section 114 of the Emergencies Act 2004 from:

12:00am October 10, 2013 to 11:59pm October 10, 2013.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting hot and very windy conditions tomorrow with a predicted temperature of 31 degrees.

The forecast Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow in the ACT is predicted to be SEVERE.

If a fire starts at the forecast fire danger level of SEVERE it may be uncontrollable and move quickly. Flames may be higher than roof tops.

Expect embers to be blown around. Spot fires may occur up to 4 km ahead of the fire.

There is a chance people in the path of a fire may be injured or die. Some homes and businesses may be destroyed.

Well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire.

Your home will only offer safety if it and you are well prepared and you can actively defend it during a fire.

Territory and Municipal Services wishes to advise that due to a total fire ban that has been declared for tomorrow, Thursday 10 October 2013, the following nature reserves and roads will be closed:

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (the Visitor Centre will remain open);
selected roads within Namadgi National Park including Apollo Road, Orroral Road, Old Mill Road, Warks Road, Mount Franklin Road at Piccadilly Circus, and the Corin Dam Road (the Namadgi Visitor Centre will remain open);
Googong Foreshores;
Kowen Forest;
Lower Molonglo River Corridor; and
Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary.

Note that the Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road remain open to through traffic.

Swimming areas at the Cotter and along the Murrumbidgee River such as Kambah Pool, Pine Island Point Hut and Uriarra Crossing will remain open.

In an effort to accommodate recreational users, the Canberra Nature Park and all Pine Forest areas (other than Kowen Forest) will remain open to the public during the early morning hours, however users are advised that they should leave these areas no later than 11 am.

Electric barbeques provided at the Cotter, Casuarina Sands, Pine Island, the National Arboretum Canberra and in Canberra's urban parks will be available, however all gas barbeques will be turned off.

The ESA advises you to make sure you know where you will get more information and monitor the situation for any changes. You can do this through local ACT media outlets, the ESA website esa.act.gov.au ,the ESA Twitter and Facebook accounts or by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

If a fire starts during the Total Fire Ban declaration period, the ESA advises you monitor the situation for any changes through local ACT media outlets, the ACT Emergency Services Agency website esa.act.gov.au or by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

To find out more about Total Fire Bans log on to the ACT Emergency Services Agency website esa.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.