Four prescribed burns planned for Canberra today

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise that, subject to suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions, four prescribed burns will take place today, Wednesday 2 May 2018.

These include:
- continuing the 310 hectare that commenced last month at Tidbinbilla nature reserve near Devil's Gap
- continuing the 33.5 hectare that commenced last week at Black Mountain Nature Reserve
- commencing a 3.94 hectare burn near Telstra tower on Black Mountain Nature Reserve (immediately adjacent to the main parking lot and Telstra tower)
- commencing a 6 hectare burn on public land near Walling Street in Franklin.

These burns are being conducted to reduce fire hazard and provide protection to nearby housing and buildings.

A map showing the location of the burn sites is available at the Upcoming Prescribed Burns Page.

Experienced Parks fire managers will conduct and oversee the burning operations. Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke but, due to the location of the burns, temporary smoke cover is possible and is likely to be visible across parts of Canberra.

Staff will continue to monitor the burn sites until smoke has not been visible for 24 hours. A buffer zone of up to 20 metres is also created around the complete perimeter of every prescribed burn.

People with asthma, other chronic respiratory and/or chronic cardiac diseases should not perform vigorous exercise and should stay inside if affected by the smoke. People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they have any difficulties.

You can also find out information about upcoming burns by following @ACT_Parks on Twitter, @ACTParks on Facebook or by completing a simple smartform to get an all of ACT Parks and Conservation Service prescribed burn updates by email.

For tips on how to stay safe if there is smoke in the area, visit the Asthma Foundation website.