The 1926-27 A.C.T. Bushfire Season
There were 34 fires attended.
The Autumn of 1927 was unusually dry.
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Rainfall:
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July 1926
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170 points
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August
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204 points
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September
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n.a.
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October
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n.a.
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November
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n.a.
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December
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n.a.
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January 1927
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n.a.
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February
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22 points
(rained only on one day - 25 February)
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March
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83 points
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April
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33 points
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May
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215 points
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June
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46 points
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100 points = 1 inch
Fires over 10 acres:
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12 November 1926 - Black Mountain (50 acres)
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21 November 1926 - Red Hill (52 acres)
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10 December 1926 - Kingston (100 acres of grassland)
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10 December 1926 - Red Hill (50 acres of grassland)
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10 December 1926 - Ainslie (10 acres of grassland)
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10 December 1926 - Acton (10 acres of grassland)
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11 December 1926 - Mt Ainslie (25 acres)
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25 December 1926 - n.a. (50 acres)
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30 December 1926 - n.a. (100 acres)
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31 December 1926 - Red Hill (160 acres includes 10 acres of
timber plantation)
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31 December 1926 - near Molonglo River (10 acres of grassland)
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2 January 1927 - Between Murrumbidgee River & Southside of
Molonglo River (100 acres)
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11 January 1927 - Gungahlin (50 acres)
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15 January 1927 - Mt Ainslie (25 acres)
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7 Febuary 1927 - n.a. (25 acres)
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7 April 1927 - n.a. (225 acres)
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3 May 1927 - n.a. (200 acres)
From the Canberra Times Thursday 18th November 1926
BUSH FIRES MEASURES FOR CONTROL DANGER IN GRASS COUNTRY
The control of bush fire fighting in the Federal Capital
Territory has received the close attention this year of the Lands
Department of the Federal Capital Commission, and an Organisation has
been completed which it is hoped will operate more or less
automatically.
A fire lookout has been established on the top of Mount Stromlo, and
is in telephonic communication with Head Quarters at Acton.
Fire-beaters are being distributed at all important centres, and also
at points where gangs are working. The city area has been divided into
divisions in charge of the gangers on permanent location.
Outside the city area areas will be alloted to certain of the gangers
and picked men. Transport will be held in readiness to convey these
men, together with fighting equipment, tools and water to the scene of
any fire occuring outside the city area. In view of the heavy mountain
fires which occurred last year, no great danger is anticipated in
these localities, but the thickly covered grass country will probably
be the most dangerous area.
The Careless Use of Fire Ordinance prohibits the burning off or the
lighting of grass fires between the months of November and February
inclusive, and it is proposed by the Commission to institute
proceedings against any persons contravening the provisions of this
ordinance. Anyone observing any outbreak of fire is asked to
immediately notify the Commission by telephone No. 175 Canberra, Chief
Clerk, Lands Department during office hours, and the Lands Officer
(Mr. Brackenreg) telephone No 195, and the Chief Forester (Mr.
Rodgers) telephone No. 45, after five o'clock on week days and 12 noon
on Saturdays and during the weekend.
Source:
Bush Fire Organisation Files
'The Canberra Times' various issues 1926/27