The Northern Territory Emergency Management Council (TEMC) have convened on Friday and Saturday in response to a significant 9,300 km2 wildfire in the Barkly Region.
The TEMC is led by NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy and the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet Dr Frank Daly and includes representatives from across the NT government agencies.
Bushfires NT remains the lead agency and are working with support from the Southern Region Emergency Management Committee to ensure the protection of lives, property and critical infrastructure.
A Fire Ban has been declared for Darwin, Adelaide River, Gregory South-East and Barkly North Fire Weather Forecast Areas for Sunday 10 September 2023.
The Barkly Highway has been re-opened but road conditions in this area may change and motorists are advised to seek advice from (road report) and Secure NT to monitor conditions for changes. We would urge consideration to travel in these affected areas to be delayed until conditions clear.
A health alert has been issued for Tennant Creek and the surrounding areas impacted by smoke.
Residents in the Barkly region are urged to make their own fire preparations in advance of fire in their surrounds.
Additional resources have been requested and firefighting capability will be enhanced through national arrangements. Three additional fire bombers are positioned in Tennant Creek, and two strike teams with tankers are mobilising from South Australia.
Michael Murphy said “Let me assure you the Territory Emergency Management Council has oversight of this evolving situation and will ensure all measures are put in place to protect Territorians, visitors and assets.
We will be convening again on Sunday to reassess the fires across the Northern Territory to ensure there is sufficient readiness and preparation around resourcing to continue the effort to protect our community.
This is a blaze with a fire edge extending hundreds of kilometres. Our thoughts and thanks are with the pastoralists who are working incredibly long hours protecting their property and stock, and we thank all the hard working frontline personnel leading, surveying and putting in mitigation strategies to minimise the impact of this large and uncontrolled fire. “
Advice from the BOM is wind conditions across the Barkly will ease on Wednesday.
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