ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Dominic Lane has declared a Total Fire Ban for the whole of the ACT under Section 114 of the Emergencies Act 2004 from 12:00am Tuesday 16 December, 2014 to 11:59pm Tuesday 16 December, 2014.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting hot and north westerly winds tomorrow with a predicted temperature of 34 degrees.

The Forecast Fire Danger Rating (FDR) for tomorrow is predicted to be SEVERE.

Territory and Municipal Services advises that due to the total fire ban declaration, the following nature reserves and roads will be closed: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, selected roads within Namadgi National Park including Apollo Road, Orroral Road, Old Mill Road, Warks Road, Mount Franklin Road and the Corin Dam Road, Googong Foreshores, Kowen Forest, Lower Molonglo River Corridor, Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve, Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary and the Centenary Trail between Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve and Hall.
The Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road remain open to through traffic.

The Tidbinbilla and Namadgi Visitors Centres will remain open.

Swimming areas at the Cotter and along the Murrumbidgee River such as Kambah Pool, Pine Island Point Hut and Uriarra Crossing will remain open.
Electric BBQs in Parks and Reserves including the National Arboretum Canberra and in Canberra’s urban parks will be available, however all gas barbeques will be turned off.

To find out more about Total Fire Bans log on to the ACT Emergency Services Agency website www.esa.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

UPDATE: This just in:

Due to the unsettled stormy weather that has brought rain across many parts of the ACT this morning the decision has been made to cancel the Total Fire Ban.

Conditions are still forecast to get hot and windy this afternoon but due to the rain only a very high fire danger rating will result.

The ESA reminds the community to report any fires, particularly as the Brindabella ranges and ares to the west of the ACT have experienced significant lighting activity with this stormy weather.

ESA agencies will continue to monitor weather conditions closely.

9:34 AM