Update - Pierces Creek Bush/Grass fire WATCH AND ACT

Firefighters are working to extinguish the fire at Pierces Creek. It is now 134 hectares in size. The fire continues to burn erratically and is heading in a south-easterly direction in steep terrain. There is currently no threat to property and no evacuations have been ordered for residents, horses or other animals. The fire is 7km away from the nearest suburb. A map of the fire is available at www.esa.act.gov.au. More than 20 crews from ACT Fire & Rescue and ACT Rural Fire Service are on site. Throughout the day five helicopters have conducted water bombing operations to assist and the LAT (Large Aeroplane Tanker) has dropped retardant over the site. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the ACT and surrounding region this afternoon with the potential for damaging winds over the next several hours. They also advise that the haze over Canberra is not smoke but dust from inland NSW. It is likely to get thicker throughout the evening. The Health Directorate advises that people with asthma, other chronic respiratory and/or chronic cardiac diseases should not perform vigorous exercise and should stay inside if affected by the dust. People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they have any difficulties.