Canberra’s emergency services have warned that the 150km2 bushfire south of Canberra is ‘waking up’ with increased heat and winds predicted for the weekend.
Speaking to reporters in the Australian capital, Georgeina Whelan, ACT Emergency Services Commissioner, said that hot and windy conditions for the weekend, as well as a possible thunderstorm, could cause the fire to spread closer to the capital.
According to a report in the Canberra Times, ‘The fire is forecast to edge towards the capital on Friday, with a prediction map released Thursday showing it move closer to the southern village of Tharwa.’
‘In a sense the fire will be waking up this afternoon,’ said Commissioner Whelan on Thursday.
‘What we do not want to do is alarm the community, we want you to remain alert.’
She also condemned those blocking the roads and hindering firefighters from accessing the fires.
‘We had reports last night, and visuals, of cars driving down into the south, and parking their car, to get a photo,’ Commissioner Whelan said.
It’s believed that the fire initially broke out when a helicopter landed in the tinder-dry bush and heat from the landing lights started the blaze.
According to ABC News Australia, ‘The Defence Department said heat from the landing lights of one of its troop transport helicopters likely ignited the fire.’
‘The helicopter came down to land and, within about 12 seconds, the aircraft was almost engulfed in flames,’ said Major-General Jake Elwood on Wednesday. The army has suspended the use of landing lights until further investigations have been completed.
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