Canberrans are being urged to update their emergency survival plans now as the ACT prepares for its most significant fire season since Black Summer. In a taste of what could be to come, the first day of the official bushfire season today was marked by strong winds and temperatures that soared to more than 10 degrees above average.
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00:00 It's hard to forget the summer of fire and smoke.
00:07 But ACT authorities are doing everything to avoid repeating history this summer.
00:13 Hazard reduction burning, fuel mitigation strategies as in slashing, chemical treatments,
00:19 physical removal and also grazing plays a big part in that reducing of risk.
00:24 After three years of rain, the next six months will be dominated by an El Nino weather pattern
00:29 - drying out the land, the perfect fuel for burns.
00:34 Firefighters were called to cook this afternoon for a taste of what could be to come.
00:39 From today you'll need a permit for any open air burns and on days of high fire risk a
00:44 total fire ban can be declared.
00:47 You can't do any high risk activities which is welding, grinding and things that create
00:52 a spark.
00:53 Certain slashing and agricultural activities are also not permitted.
00:58 Firefighters are being asked to prepare their homes and emergency survival plans.
01:02 Clean those gutters, make sure there's no combustible fuels leading up to your house.
01:07 This is not the time to be complacent, this is the time to take the bushfire threat really
01:11 seriously.
01:12 Climate experts are also warning Australia might not be able to rely as much on expensive
01:18 fire fighting equipment brought from overseas as the northern fire season overlaps more
01:24 with the southern hemisphere.
01:26 The ability to share is reducing simply because they might still need it at the same time
01:32 we do which was something that was unheard of 10 or 20 years ago.
01:36 But there are hopes the new national warning system will better coordinate resources.
01:41 It's now simpler and clearer.
01:43 Now the message is clear, use today to prepare for tomorrow.
01:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]