Fed: Another bushfire in the ACT

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
Fed: Another bushfire in the ACT

CANBERRA, Dec 31 AAP - Another bushfire has broken out in the ACT, with firefighters
rushing to contain the blaze at Mount Painter, in Canberra's north.

The latest blaze comes after firefighters finally extinguished four major fires yesterday
which had been burning in the nation's capital since Christmas eve.

An ACT Fire Brigade spokesman said the Mt Painter blaze was sparked about 9.40am(AEDT)
and crews were racing to get it under control.

"It's going pretty well, we hope to have it contained," the spokesman said.

He said the fire brigade did not know what sparked the latest blaze.

The weather bureau has issued a fire weather warning in the ACT for dry, hot and windy
conditions and very high to extreme fire danger risk.

A maximum of 31 degrees is forecast today with relief from the high temperatures expected
to arrive tomorrow or Wednesday.

More than 200 firefighters are on standby in the region after bushfires threatened
Government House and homes near Parliament House on Christmas eve, burning 1,500 hectares
of land.

The ACT Emergency Services Bureau said a total fire ban would remain in place until midnight.

AAP sm/kmh/tb

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES ACT 2ND DAYLEAD

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