516 bushfires recorded in Greater Darwin area this year so far

THERE have already been 516 bushfires in the Greater Darwin area this year, officials say

Bushfires NT has already attended hundreds of fires this year

THERE have already been 516 bushfires in the Greater Darwin area this year, officials say.

Bushfires NT senior fire control officer Josh Fisher said of that number, 175 had been planned burns and 341 were wildfires.

“There is double the number of wildfires than there are planned burns,” he said.

“This year, because of the bad wet season, we had an earlier start to the fire season than usual. Same number (of fires) as we usually expect, just earlier in the year.” Mr Fisher said the smoke from fires burning up to 450km away could make it to Darwin CBD.

“If we look at the geography any fires which happen in the rural area, Darwin will receive the breeze,” he said.

AIR quality in Darwin six times worse than Sydney

DARWIN smog sticking around — but not for long

NT Health tells asthmatic Territorians to stay indoors

In good news, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Sally Cutter said the fire danger was expected to ease this weekend.

“We haven’t had a new, clear air mass lately and the wind is helping the fires and bringing the smoke in to the Darwin area,” she said.

“We need it to rain or we need a clean air mass.

“It has been very dry all over the Top End.”

Ms Cutter said the Top End often saw smoke at this time of year, but over the past week it had been very heavy.

“We should see some of that smoke easing over the weekend,” she said.

Travellers Wendy and Michael Lambert said it was too little, too late.

They have been staying in Girraween and said the thick smoke in the rural area was unbearable.

“We’ve all got sore throats, it’s just awful,” Ms Lambert said.

“We wake up choking every night.

“It just hangs in the air — it’s awful. We love being here, but the smoke is driving us away.” The Lamberts are now cutting their Darwin travels short, keen to escape the thick smoke and head down south.

“The smoke from constant fires burning near where we are staying is affecting our health,” Ms Lambert said.

“A friend who lives here has developed respiratory health issues and is at breaking point with the effect the smoke is having on his physical and mental health. He has been advised to vacate his home to relieve his mental anguish and physical respiratory condition by his GP.

“We are worried about him.

ONLY $1 a week: OUR best value NT News subscription deal yet (Min. cost $4)

“My husband and I have also developed a cough that we did not have before we came to Darwin and believe is a response to the constant smoke we are breathing.”

The Lamberts have written to NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles about their concerns.

The NT News understands Ms Fyles has referred the letter on to NT Health and will soon be in touch with Ms Lambert.