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brown haze remained for a number of days. This was the result of controlled burning carried out in the Yass and Yarrowlumla Shire regions when the prevailing winds in the burn-off region were conducive to smoke being transported to the ACT region.

The second incident began yesterday -

which would be 26 April -

when controlled burning commenced along a front of about 15-20 kilometres between the Budawang and Duau National Parks. It is understood about 13,000 ha is being burnt and the operation is intended to continue until 29 April 1995. Again the prevailing winds have carried the smoke to the ACT, forming a dense haze. Meteorological advice is that the haze will persist until at least Sunday.

I fully appreciate the importance of controlled burning as a means of fire hazard prevention and that there is only a limited period of time during autumn when this activity can be undertaken. Nevertheless, I believe it is necessary to carry out this activity when more favourable meteorological conditions are forecast, so that the ACT region is not left under a blanket of smoke for a number of days.

I am writing to seek your assistance in arranging the necessary co-ordination and co-operation between the NSW’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), State Forests and the Department of Bush Fire Services, and the ACT's Office of the Environment and the ACT Bush Fire Control, to reduce the incidence of smoke drifts over the ACT.

I would envisage that the ACT would be given advice of proposals to conduct controlled burning in sufficient time for the local community to be advised of possible smoke drift into the Territory in a similar manner to the press releases that the NSW Department of Bush Fire Services provides for the South East Region of NSW.

I would also envisage that the EPA, local authorities and the ACT Office of the Environment would establish close liaison on days of controlled burning so that as a general rule fires are lit only if the prevailing wind is away from the Territory. The liaison would be valuable to ensure that, where wind changes occur, ACT authorities have the opportunity to inform the community of approaching smoke drift.

I look forward to your early response.

Yours sincerely

Gary Humphries.

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