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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4658 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The total fire ban was extended to include the 27 November 97, from midnight Wednesday to midnight Thursday. Due once again to the forecast of extreme bushfire danger for forest areas.

The fire danger forecast for Friday was reduced as the fire danger rating ameliorated from extreme to very high.

Total fire bans are mainly declared for extreme fire dangers only. The fire danger indices are calculated from a variety of forecast weather conditions and grass curing factors to arrive at the broad indications of extreme, very high, high, et cetera. The specific factors which determine those broad categories do differ between weather districts and for NSW the specific forecast rating is determined by the Department of Rural Fire Services on advice from the Bureau of Meteorology. The ACT has its own weather district and the specific rating is determined by the Chief Fire Control Officer in consultation with the ACT Bureau of Meteorology.

Since the 27 November 97 the ACT has remained in the high to very high fire danger ratings -

that is less than extreme -

and total fire bans have not been necessary.

The Rally had no influence on the decisions regarding total fire bans as total fire bans are determined by weather factors and not activity based. However, on Thursday 27 November 1997 a meeting was held with Rally Organisers to review bushfire and emergency response arrangements to ensure that they complied to the bushfire readiness requirements.

Through agreement fire readiness for the Rally was increased because of the potential very high fire dangers. Fire dangers for the time of the Rally did not warrant a total fire ban for the ACT.

That is the advice of the Chief Fire Control Officer, Mr Speaker.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Assembly adjourned at 7.51 pm until Tuesday, 9 December 1997, at 10.30 am

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