Defence helicopter believed to have started Canberra’s ‘most serious’ bushfire threat since 2003 | ABC News A fire started by a defence helicopter landing in the Namadgi National Park south of Canberra has quickly become the city's "most serious" bushfire threat since 2003.
The Orroral Valley fire had been growing at a rate of more than 400 hectares per hour, and was more than 6,122 hectares in size at 5:30pm today.
There is currently no threat to Canberra suburbs, but the blaze could spot as close to a kilometre from the city's southernmost suburb Banks this evening.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the fire posed the greatest risk to the ACT since the 2003 bushfires, which killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes.
"This is the most serious situation we have faced since the 2003 bushfires," Mr Barr said.
Winds are now gusting north-easterly at speeds up to 40km/h, according to ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) commissioner Georgeina Whelan.
"The weather this evening is not favourable for firefighters," Ms Whelan said.
She said she expected the fire to burn in the national park for several weeks.
Image: Supplied
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