Extra firefighters called to battle McLaren Creek complex fire, near Karlu Karlu, Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
Fatigued outback fireys will be backed by Darwin and Katherine crews as blazes continue to impact communities and infrastructure around a beloved Territory attraction.
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Darwin and Katherine fireys are racing to back up crews battling a complex fire near one of the Northern Territory’s most famous outback attractions
On Sunday, Bushfires NT confirmed the McLaren Creek ‘Complex’ fire was spreading on one or more fronts near the Karlu Karlu, Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, 105km south of Tennant Creek.
A spokesman said effective containment strategies were not in place for the entire fire front, and warned it would continue to burn for several days and impact communities and infrastructure in the area.
“Bushfires NT crews and volunteers continue to work in the area in an effort to control the fire with additional resources deployed from Darwin and Katherine to relieve fatigued firefighters,” he said.
“Heavy fuel loads and a lack of fire preparation and asset protection in areas is hampering efforts to contain the fire.”
Bushfires NT said fireys were backburning the area to secure assets, while an aerial survey had assessed the fire edge on Sunday morning.
The Central Australian community was warned the Stuart Highway would be impacted by the fire, causing intermittent road closures and delays.
The McLaren Creek Complex fire is a combination of three blazes, at Wycliffe Well, McLaren Creek, and Nguyarramini which merged on Saturday.
Fireys were called to actively protect the Devils Marbles Motel and other critical infrastructure on Friday and Saturday, and heavy machinery was used to cut fire breaks around Mugkarta, Wakurlpu, Kalanjari and Greenwood communities.
One Devils Marbles Hotel customer posted on Facebook they were preparing to get the call to evacuate, but luckily the wind pushed the blaze away from the outback hotel.
The NT Parks and Wildlife website confirmed the Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve and campground had been closed until at least Tuesday due to ongoing fire threats.
It comes as the executive director Bushfires NT and Acting Chief Fire Officer declared a fire danger period until November 3 for the Savanna Management Zone, which includes Borroloola, Katherine, Larrimah, Mataranka and Timber Creek Emergency Response Areas, and the Vernon Arafura Fire Management Zone.
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