NT fire crews work to put out deliberate Christmas fires around Red Centre

Bushfires NT have been hard at work over Christmas and have put out a strong reminder for Territorians. Find out what they said.

NT police and fire personnel have been working over the Christmas period to put out fires near Alice Springs. Picture: Facebook/Simon Casey

Deliberate fires sparked around the Red Centre in the lead up to Christmas Day have ordered a swift reminder from Bushfires NT.

Bushfires NT took to Facebook on Christmas Eve to warn Alice Springs residents there was a lot of green grass around the town and with hot weather on its way, it would likely become an elevated risk.

They also raised concerns over a series of deliberately lit fires in the days before Christmas and that NT Police would be notified of any possible instances of arson.

“During the week we have been doing joint flights with NT Police searching for abandoned stolen motor vehicles and assessing the fuel loads in and around Alice Springs,” the Facebook post said.

Bushfires NT have been responding to fires around Alice Springs over the Christmas period. Picture: Facebook/Simon Casey

“Yesterday evening (December 23) and again on Christmas Eve, our helicopter has had to respond with staff to some deliberately lit fires on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

“We don’t think Santa will be visiting our fire starter, but the details have been passed onto Police.”

Bushfires NT also responded to an unrelated fire on Christmas Day which a NT Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said was not suspiciously lit.

The grass fire started around 4.40pm on Wednesday at Blatherskite Park Showgrounds, Len Kittle Drive and caused no damage to the park’s buildings or infrastructure.

Bushfires NT worked into the evening to prevent the fire from spreading and reported the issue was resolved by around 9pm on Christmas Day.

Originally published as NT fire crews work to put out deliberate Christmas fires around Red Centre