THE ACT State of Alert has been eased and will now apply only to rural and remote areas of including Tharwa and Uriarra Village.

Improvements in weather conditions – including the recent rainfall – and the achievements of the Emergency Services Agency to protect the Canberra community from the threat of bushfire are credited with inspiring the change of rating.

“This means the current State of Alert will no longer apply to urban and residential areas of the ACT,” says the Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman.

“Residents in our rural and remote locations will need to remain alert and prepared for the threat of bushfire crossing our borders.

“Community meetings in Tharwa and Uriarra Village will be organised in the coming days to provide an update on the current situation.

“We have not taken the decision to amend the declaration lightly and have acted on the expert advice of ESA Commissioner Georgeina Whelan based on current conditions and our readiness to respond to fire risk near our border.

“ACT fire crews have assisted NSW in making significant progress containing the three fire fronts burning close to the ACT.”