Fire crews will use a break in the weather to carry out backburning in a bid to prevent the Orroral Valley bushfire hitting properties.
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The backburning will be carried out late on Wednesday, before conditions are expected to deteriorate later in the week with temperatures set to soar into the 40s and winds of up to 50km/h forecast.
Backburning will take place in areas west of Boboyan Road, starting in the south near the Orroral Heritage Walk.
It will then be carried out to the north, moving towards Fitz's Hill in an effort to strengthen containment lines.
ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner Georgeina Whelan said firefighters would use a break in the weather before the extreme heat returns.
"This is to drive the fire into areas of our choosing to increase the likelihood of success in the combating the fire," Ms Whelan said on Wednesday afternoon.
"This burn is planned while there is a break in and the weather and allows crews to conduct backburning activity."
The fire was downgraded to advice level just before 1.30pm on Wednesday and has burnt more than 10,000 hectares.
Emergency authorities have warned the backburning operations may produce more smoke that could cover Canberra.
The city was blanketed by smoke haze stemming from the bushfire on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Whelan said water-bombing was being used at several points across the firefront.
Hot spots were being doused near Booroomba Rocks and property-protection measures were being carried out.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
