NT authorities warn of fines, imprisonment during total fire bans

As a devastating blaze burns through 1.3 million hectares and counting, authorities have warned anyone who lights a fire could face a $77,000 fine or five years’ jail time.

Fireys have warned those who illegally start a fire could face a $77,000 fine or five years in jail after attending too many incidents “where people have ignored” the conditions.

It comes as a fire ban was issued for the Darwin and Adelaide River, Gregory South-East and Barkly North areas on Sunday, while a devastating blaze near Tennant Creek continued to burn.

Fire is only allowed in fire ban declared areas for cooking and boiling water, but an area of at least four metres around the campfire must be clear while the flame must be monitored at all times.

SecureNT issued a statement on Sunday saying firefighters had attended several call-outs on that day alone where people had “ignored the conditions and the warnings”.

The Barkly fire remained at an “advice” level on Sunday and the situation was still serious while work continued in the southwest and northeast flanks of the blaze. Picture: Bushfires NT

“Everyone needs to know and understand the fire conditions and restrictions for their area and adhere to fire bans,” it read.

“The risk (of) not doing so is too great. Endangering lives, communities and properties as well as taking vital resources away from where they are most needed to combat current fire fronts could have dire consequences.”

NT Police charged a 46-year-old woman with arson and “related offences” on Friday, in relation to a fire in Top Springs the day prior.

Police alleged she started the fire near the intersection of the Buntine and Buchanan highways, which quickly spread into nearby scrubland and travelled towards the Yarralin community.

Yarralin and Kalkarindji police arrested the woman a short time later while pastoralists worked to control the blaze.

She was remanded to appear in the Katherine Local Court on Monday.

Barkly blaze under control but continuing to burn

Firefighters including crews from South Australia and NSW are continuing to battle a destructive blaze near Tennant Creek, which has burned through about 1.3m hectares over two weeks.

The fire, which authorities first responded to on September 4, was downgraded to an “advice” warning level on Friday before authorities were able to get all fronts under control on Saturday.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said on Friday financial support would be made available to people, businesses and organisations impacted by the blaze.

“The Northern Territory government is working with emergency services, interstate agencies and the Australian Defence Force through national agreements, pastoralists and the public to battle the blaze to ensure the safety of Tennant Creek and the wider community,” she said as the emergency declaration was lifted.

The picture shows the enormous footprint of the Tennant Creek fire, overlayed on a map of New South Wales. Picture: National Emergency Management Agency

“When appropriate, fire co-ordinators will undertake any necessary disaster impact assessments to determine the full extent of damage sustained from this event.

“We are working with the federal government to ensure that the appropriate assistance continues to be provided to those people affected.”

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the commonwealth was closely monitoring the fire in the Territory.

“Our thoughts are with all impacted communities and pastoralists, particularly those around Tennant Creek,” he said.

“We’re are (sic) in regular contact with the Fyles government, and will continue to work with them as the community moves from the response phase into recovery.”

Information on financial support can be found at disasterassist.gov.au