Question - ACT Emergency Services Agency

1. How many non-structure related fires occurred, between 1 January 2017 to present, in the area around Ginninderry, ie, south of Ginninderra Creek, east of the Murrumbidgee River, west of Spofforth Street and West Macgregor and north of the Molonglo River.
2. In relation to the fires referred to in part (1), (a) how large were those fires, (b) how much did it cost for repair and (c) what was the shortest distance between one of those fires and a home in Ginninderry.
3. How many fires were reported at the Canberra Sand and Gravel Green Waste on Parkwood Road, between 1 January 2017 to present.
4. In relation to the fires referred to in part (3), (a) what was the cause of those fires and (b) how many of those fires required an emergency response.

(1) ACT Fire and Rescue data shows that the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) responded to 35 non-structure related fires between 1 January 2017 to present in the area around Ginninderry that required suppression from ESA services. 

(2) In relation to the 35 fires above: 

(a) Measurements of fires are not ordinarily recorded by emergency response services. This data is collected by post-incident assessment experts. From the data available, approximately 20ha was the largest reported non-structure fire. 

(b) The ESA does not hold details on the costs associated with repair. Operational emergency response personnel are not trained in estimating damages caused by these fires.

(c) The ESA does not hold details on distance of incidents to homes, noting the time parameters outlined in (1) pre-dates construction in Ginninderry 

(3) Two fires have been recorded at Canberra Sand and Gravel Green Waste on Parkwood Road between 1 January 2017 to present.

(4) In relation to the response at (3): 

(a) The two fires related to mulch piles and were contained to the property. 

(b) ESA operational services respond to all reports of fire.