Fire, heatwaves and rain: Wild weather warnings for Top End, Barkly

Extreme temperatures, out of control fires, and rains are battering the Territory, prompting safety warnings to stay alert to changing weather conditions.

Volunteers and staff from Bushfires NT continue to battle out-of-control blazes in and around the lytwelepenty/Davenport Ranges National Park in Davenport. The national park will remain closed until at least November 4 as the fire is brought under control. Picture: Bushfires NT.

Heatwaves, fires, and rains are battering the Territory, prompting safety warnings to stay alert to changing weather conditions.

Several out of control fires continue to burn near the Devil’s Marbles, with the Iytwelepenty / Davenport Ranges National Park expected to remain closed until at least next week as firefighters attempt to control the blaze.

Advice level warnings were in place on Tuesday, as smoke was expected to impact the Stuart Highway between Wauchope and Kurundi Rd, and active fire could be close to the roadside.

Bushfires NT said it had been “a tough few weeks” but spirits remained high among the volunteers, staff, rangers and local landholders who had been battling the fires.

Volunteers and staff from Bushfires NT continue to battle out-of-control blazes in and around the lytwelepenty/Davenport Ranges National Park in Davenport, supported by local landholders. Picture: Bushfires NT.

On Tuesday, a total fire ban was in place for Barkly North, with extreme fire dangers due to hot temperatures, and dry, gusty winds.

An advice level fire also burned at Birdum, at the intersection of the Carpentaria and Stuart Highways, and drivers urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive to the conditions.

Meanwhile heatwave conditions continue in the Top End: Tuesday’s mercury set to hit 42C at Timber Creek, 40C at Mataranka, 39C at Adelaide River and 38C at Batchelor.

Volunteers and staff from Bushfires NT continue to battle out-of-control blazes in and around the lytwelepenty/Davenport Ranges National Park in Davenport. The national park will remain closed until at least November 4 as the fire is brought under control. Pic: Bushfires NT.

The Bureau of Meteorology said severe heatwave conditions were expected to increase in intensity in western inland parts of the Top End, before easing later this week.

“Darwin is 36C today (Tuesday), so extremely hot, but because of shower activity starting to build through the week that will flush out some of the heat,” forecaster Jonathan How said.

“The message is for Territorians to keep an eye on the warnings and local advice.”

Showers and storms are forecast for the Top End every day this week, with rain most likely on Thursday and Friday.

“Not everywhere will get rain, but those that do could see some very heavy falls.”

Mr How said while Darwinites may be noticing a wetter month than last year, October rainfall remained well below average.

“Average rainfall for Darwin in October is 70mm, and so far this month we’ve only had 25mm,” he said.

“The build up last year was drier – only 1mm of rain last year in Darwin.”

“Because it’s been so hot and dry lately, recent weather is really signalling the shift into the monsoon.”