Authorities fear a dangerous blaze could jump containment lines and destroy homes as the ACT prepares to battle its worst bushfire conditions in more than a decade.
The bushfire conditions forecast for Saturday are being compared to those experienced in 2003, when four people died and hundreds of Canberra homes were razed.
The Orroral Valley fire southeast of Canberra had burnt through more than 28,000 hectares as of 2am Saturday morning, with a state of emergency declared for the ACT.
The out-of-control blaze, which is burning south of the capital, was downgraded to a Watch and Act level late on Friday night, with the ACT Emergency Services Agency saying no properties were under immediate threat.
But ACT Emergency Services Commissioner Georgina Whelan says there is the potential for the fire to spread on Saturday, amid fears it will edge closer to the city as temperatures soar and winds increase.
“This does include potentially as far north as Tharwa and spotting close to the southern suburbs of Canberra, including Banks,” she said on Friday night.
A “textbook” combination of dangerous fire conditions are forecast for Saturday, Ms Whelan said.
“It has been unpredictable. It remains challenging. It is difficult to access. This fire could create its own weather system.
“The fire activity is increasing, it has been unpredictable, it remains challenging, it is difficult to access. The predictions are that Saturday will be our worst day.”
Firefighters will be ready to protect urban areas of south Canberra today, if the dangerous 24,000-hectare Orroral Valley bushfire jumps containment lines and burns towards the city as the forecast is set to top 41 degrees.
A state of emergency was declared across the ACT on Friday as the fire tore through the Namadgi National Park.
“It’s been a tough day. Tomorrow, unfortunately, it doesn’t get much better,” Ms Whelan said.
People in the vicinity of Apollo Road, Boboyan Road, Top Naas Road and Corin Road have been warned to stay vigilant.
“The ACT is now facing the worst bushfire threat since the devastating fires of 2003,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr told reporters on Friday.
“The combination of extreme heat, wind and a dry landscape will place suburbs at Canberra’s south at risk in coming days.”
The bushfire has so far burnt eight per cent of the ACT.
BLISTERING TEMPERATURES
Canberra is forecast to reach a maximum 41C today, with storms and a top of 35C predicted for Sunday.
Evacuations and road closures are possible as the fire edges closer to Canberra.
“What are the 10 things contributing to having a really, really dangerous fire? They are lining up,” Ms Whelan said.
Heat, the fire index rating, the territory’s topography and fuel loads are among the leading causes of concern.
“It has been unpredictable. It remains challenging. It is difficult to access. This fire could create its own weather system,” Ms Whelan said.
“If all of what I have just outlined occurs, there is a chance this fire could break containment lines.”
Smoke is making it difficult for aircraft to fly over certain areas of the fire ground.
Mr Barr said the emergency declaration was made to allow Canberrans, especially those south of Tuggeranong, time to prepare for the weekend.
“The state of emergency is the strongest signal we can send to the ACT community that they must prepare themselves and their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, NSW firefighters are also bracing for tough conditions on Saturday, with temperatures set to soar past 40 degrees celsius in parts of the state. Strong winds are forecast to fuel the danger, particularly on existing fire grounds along the south coast.
The Rural Fire Service has declared total fire bans for the southern slopes, the southern ranges, the far south coast, the Monaro alpine and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven regions.
– With wires
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