NT Firefighters battling 20 bushfires across 48-hour period

Almost every Northern Territory highway has been threatened by blazes, as crews continue to battle more than 20 fires.

The huge Barkly fire has continued to burn since August, now burning through an area half the size of Tasmania. Picture: Bushfires NT

Exhausted fireys continue to battle “catastrophic” fire conditions amid a Top End heatwave with fires shutting down almost every highway in the Territory.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer confirmed crews continued to battle a blaze half the size of Tasmania in the Barkly region — one of 20 active fires across the NT.

Mr Fischer described the weekend as a ”significant and busy period of operation” with almost all highways threatened by fires.

The Victoria, Roper, Barkly, Capentaria, Buntine, Arnhem, Sandover and Stuart highways were all impacted.

However Mr Fischer said the worst of the blazes was in the Barkly — which has already burnt two million hectares of land — and continued to experience “catastrophic” fire conditions.

“We have wind gusts up to 50km/h so this makes firefighting on the ground really dangerous,” Mr Fischer said.

“During the peak of the day … it (the Barkly Hwy) is not a safe place to be.

“It is not safe for motorists, for trucks carrying goods, so we will continue to see that until the fire behaviour subsides.”

Mr Fischer said a uncontained fire in Howard Springs continued to burn, after eating through 50 hectares of rural land at the weekend.

He said crews were returning to the blaze on Monday to contain the active fronts being stoked by heavy fuel loads and strong winds.

Mr Fischer said there was no damage to critical infrastructure at this point in time, but there was likely some fencing and irrigation damage to rural lots.

He said the only structure damage reported were two sheds from the Borroloola caravan park, in a fire which was brought under control by volunteers and the local community.

As his crews dealt with the heat stress and fatigue, Mr Fischer said the Bureau of Meteorology had predicted a ‘once in a decade’ fire seasons simultaneously across Central Australia and the Top End.

“It’s going to be a long fight for both fire agencies and land owners right across the Territory,” he said.

Fire half the size of Tasmania closes Barkly Highway

A fire half the size of Tasmania has closed Barkly Highway from the Barkly Homestead to Avon Downs.

Bushfires NT closed the highway on Saturday at noon, estimating the closure would last up to three days.

The fire has come dangerously close to the town centre of Tennant Creek, as well as several communities including Canteen Creek and Epenarra.

The fire, which started burning on August 28, according to Bushfires NT chief fire control officer Tony Fuller, has required interstate assistance just to bring it under control.

Fire crews from New South Wales and South Australia have had to travel to the area to help combat the fire, with extra additions from New South Wales set to arrive in Tennant Creek today.

Barkly Highway has been closed due to ongoing bushfires in the area. Picture: Road Report NT

“This has been a monumental effort from everyone involved and there is a genuine commitment to resolve this,” he said.

“The highway will be closed from 12 noon Saturday, October 14, and pending weather conditions, could be closed for up to three days.

“We know this is an inconvenience for travellers and transport through the area, but it is critical we bring this fire under control.

“The road conditions will be too dangerous to drive, and so closing the highway is our only option – as soon as it is safe to do so, we will open the highway.

“It also ensures crews will be safe as they work along the roadside to tactically back burn and make the highway safe once and for all.”

For more information on road closures in the area visit Road Report NT or Road Report NT Facebook or the NT Secure Facebook page.

For current Northern Territory fire information stay up to date at the NT Fire Incident map https://securent.nt.gov.au/respond/bushfire-alerts#map

Search for boy, 10, ends after disappearance from oval

Police have found a 10-year-old boy who went missing from an Alice Springs oval.

An NT Police spokesman said the boy was found safe and well about 8pm Tuesday.

Police issued a concern for welfare for the 10-year-old after he was last seen at the oval on Flynn Drive, Alice Spring at 4pm on Monday.

Alice Springs Police posted a concern for welfare alert to Facebook – 24-hours after the child disappeared – calling for information about his safety and whereabouts.

The boy’s name and photo has been removed.