THE threat to lives and property from the Orroral Valley Fire has inspired the  territory-wide State of Emergency in the ACT.

Given the severe fire conditions today and tomorrow, the ACT is facing the worst bushfire threat since the devastating fires of 2003. The combination of extreme heat, wind and a dry landscape will place suburbs in Canberra’s south at risk in the coming days.

The Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, says the Orroral Valley Fire has now grown to 18,507 hectares. This is 185 square kilometres or nearly eight per cent of the ACT’s land mass.

“There are a number of scenarios where this fire may impact on homes in Canberra suburbs,” he says.

“The declaration of a State of Emergency is the strongest signal we can send to the ACT community to prepare themselves, and their family, for the worst possible situation.

“This is a decision that reflects the very best advice and planning by Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Georgeina Whelan and her team on the potential impact of the Orroral Valley Fire. This fire will grow, and it may become unpredictable, and uncontrollable.

“ESA Commissioner Georgeina Whelan has the ability to co-ordinate resources across government to respond to whatever risk we may face in the coming days. There is no greater priority in the territory than the risk posed by this bushfire and we want to ensure the Commissioner, as Emergency Controller, has everything she needs to protect lives and property.

“We have made this declaration ahead of time to allow Canberrans, especially those in South Tuggeranong, time to discuss their Bushfire Survival Plan with their family.

“We want Canberrans to think carefully about their movements this afternoon and tomorrow, and keep up to date with the fire situation from ESA channels or from local media.

“The State of Emergency will stay in place until the city is no longer at significant risk from this fire.

“ACT Government agencies and directorates have also been preparing. Endangered species and precious wildlife have been relocated from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. ICON water have pumped three days of water supplies into the city reservoirs. Water has been transferred to dams away from the fire impacted areas. Evacuation centres are being planned to stand up as required.

“I have a full confidence in the ability of the ESA, ACT Police, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the ACT Government to protect lives and property and support our community.”