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Recovering from the 2020 bushfires

During 2019-20 bushfire season, serious bushfires and floods affected 2 of the ACT's most cherished natural icons, Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

The Orroral Valley and Beard bushfires burned about 88,000 ha of land and national parks. Soon after, heavy rain caused widespread flooding in the burnt areas.

The ACT Government is working to restore and protect our natural and cultural landscapes.

Impacts

The Orroral Valley bushfire was the biggest fire in the ACT in almost 20 years. It burned over 80% of Namadgi and 22% of Tidbinbilla, making it unsafe for visitors. The fire affected the land in many ways, including:

  • changes to the landscape
  • threats to native animals and threatened species
  • impacts to Aboriginal and European cultural heritage
  • damage to park infrastructure
  • risks to the ACT’s main water supply.

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) is working hard to make it safe again.

Bushfire Response and Recovery Program

Work completed

ACT Bushfire and Flood Recovery Plan

Stage 3 focuses on long-term recovery, considering environmental trends such as climate change.

The ACT Bushfire and Floods Recovery Plan (the Plan) guides this work and builds on actions from Stages 1 and 2. It will look at the ongoing effects of climate change on natural recovery and adapt to these risks.

The Plan supports the ACT Government to:

  • manage invasive plants and animals
  • protect threatened and vulnerable species
  • support catchment restoration and water quality
  • manage erosion
  • protect cultural heritage
  • adapt to climate change
  • restore infrastructure like roads, fences, and walking tracks.

How the ACT is managing bushfire risks

The ACT Government's bushfire management program conducts activities such as:

  • fuel reduction
  • prescribed burns
  • fire trail maintenance.

Find out more about the ACT Government's bushfire management operations.

How you can help

Everyone can help protect the environment. Recovery will take time, and there are many ways to get involved:

  • volunteer with community groups
  • become a citizen scientist
  • learn about your responsibilities when visiting parks and reserves.

Find out more about how the community can help.