SA CFS volunteers to fly to NT to fight fires as emergency declared at Tennant Creek

A group of CFS volunteers will fly to the Northern Territory on Wednesday to help fight a blaze that has burned more than one million hectares.

A team of South Australian Country Fire Service staff and volunteers will be deployed to the Northern Territory to fight a fierce blaze threatening the town of Tennant Creek.

Northern Territory emergency services are battling the bushfire in the Barkly region that is more than 9,300 sqkm in size and have requested assistance from the CFS.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said a team of 20 - including two strike teams - will travel to Tennant Creek on Wednesday morning.

“Large fires are not uncommon to the Northern Territory, although a fire of such size and ferocity at this time of year is confronting and profound and I want every individual affected to know that they are in South Australia’s thoughts,” he said.

“The Northern Territory and South Australia have a close relationship and a shared experience of unique remote central communities and station country.

“Due to the scale of this bushfire, BushfiresNT have requested additional capacity from the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) to assist, and as per their well-deserved reputation, the CFS is stepping up to the task.”

A SA Ambulance Service paramedic will also be deployed to manage firefighter welfare and any other medical needs.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Josh Fisher and Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison provide an update on the Barkly wildfire that was threatening Tennant Creek. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Efsta Konidaris Photography captured images of water bombers helping to douse the Tennant Creek bushfires at Battery Hill. Photos: Efsta Konidaris Photography

“I acknowledge not just the commitment of these South Australian emergency services members who dedicate extensive time and effort to ensure they are some of the most highly skilled and capable personnel in the nation,” Mr Szakacs said.

“Undertaking deployments such as this speaks to the heart and core values of our volunteer emergency services, which so often includes individuals putting their own lives on hold to help their communities, and indeed other communities during critical times.”

On Tuesday, authorities issued an emergency declaration for Tennant Creek, granting police and emergency services additional powers in case a huge blaze crosses into the regional town.

The emergency declaration covers the Barkly local government area and allows police to direct people from the area and take control of assets if needed.

Efsta Konidaris Photography captured images of water bombers helping to douse the Tennant Creek bushfires at Battery Hill. Photos: Efsta Konidaris Photography

Northern Territory acting Chief Fire Officer Josh Fisher said authorities were “really confident” fire breaks would stop the blaze

“It’s approximately 30km from Tennant Creek at this time,” he said.

“A combination of ground-based burning, mineral earth control line establishment and aerial (bombing) … is all to ensure we can prevent this fire from spreading to Tennant Creek.”

Mr Fisher said authorities were not looking at evacuations in the event of a fire passing through.

“It will be perfectly safe if you just move back one street away from any bushland, it will be safe there,” he said.