ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says 6000 hectare fire south of Canberra is the "most serious" the capital has faced since deadly 2003 bushfire.
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Whelan: Fire is not contained and will burn for several weeks. Is expected to grow to 7000ha within next couple of hours. Weather conditions are making it difficult to fight. ACT police to coordinate door knocks in suburbs around Banks.
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Whelan: ACT experiencing hot, dry weather with "enormous fuel loading". Repeats warning to people in areas of Apollo Rd, Top Naas Rd, Boboyon Rd and Tharwa to seek shelter immediately.
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Whelan: All off duty ACT Fire and Rescue staff have been recalled. All available ACT Rural Fire Service volunteers have been recalled. 27 vehicles, 5 choppers, 3 small planes, 2 large air tankers, 1 very large air tanker fighting fire. Defence deployed to help.
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Whelan: Only call 000 in life threatening emergency or to report new fire. NSW residents should watch NSW Fires Near Me app / website. Fire spotting to north, north-east and east of fire. Blaze will enter NSW.
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Whelan: Tells all Canberrans if you don't have a bushfire survival plan, download one via ACT ESA now. If you can't go into finer details, make general plan.
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ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Ray Johnson says considerable work on evacuation planning has been done. Have worked on various scenarios.
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ACT Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman says defence plane landing light started blaze when it landed on ground in fire area.
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ADF Chief of Operations Operation Bushfire Assist Lt Gen Greg Bilton says helicopter on recon had landed as part of relief operations. Landing light started fire.
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Bilton: Light had enough heat to start grass fire, fire started rapidly, damaged helicopter before it got out.
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Bilton: Defence will investigate further. Will cease use of that type of landing light.
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