Experiencing an extreme external event – bushfires near ANSTO’s Lucas Heights site, April 2018

Abstract

In April 2018, a large, fast moving bushfire originating in the outskirts of south-west Sydney led to activation of the ANSTO emergency response plans. Whilst there was no direct impact on the Lucas Heights site and no implications for nuclear or radiological safety, there was some impact on the operational activities onsite. This paper provides an overview of the bushfire and the ANSTO response in the context of the ANSTO emergency response plans. Some of the key lessons learned by ANSTO are identified as are some other lessons that may be of benefit to other research reactors and similar facilities.