The ACT bushfire season has been pushed back a month to a start date of November 1 after unusually wet weather this year, allowing rural land holders to undertake private hazard reduction burns for another six weeks without the fire permits required throughout the official bushfire season.

The change comes after two seasons of wet conditions and confirmation of a third La Nina event in a row from the Bureau of Meteorology, which signals higher than average rainfall is likely in the months ahead on Australia’s east coast.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman says plentiful rainfall during winter and early spring has led to higher moisture content in grasslands and dams at maximum capacity, and this has reduced fire risk in the ACT for the time being.

Canberrans are being urged by emergency services to use this time to prepare their homes and be “emergency ready,” while mindful that grassland can dry out in just a few days during warmer and drier weather.

“This is a good time for us all to prepare our homes and ensure we have updated our Emergency Survival Plans,” Mr Gentleman said.