NT bushfires: Four blazes spark alerts while total fire ban is likely to be extended

Alerts have been issued for four Top End scrub fires, as the smoky conditions prompt the health department to also issue a warning. A total fire ban is likely to be extended until at least Wednesday.

A significant scrub fire burning at the edge of Palmerston on the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024. Picture: Alex Treacy

Updated, 1.15pm Tuesday: Alerts have been issued for four grass and scrub fires across the greater Darwin area, as the Top End continues to experience an extreme fire risk.

The alerts come as the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) shares more details about a large scrub fire near Zuccoli that sent huge plumes of smoke so far skywards it was visible from Casuarina.

A total fire ban across the Darwin, Batchelor and Adelaide River Emergency Response Areas, and Litchfield Municipality and Coomalie Shire, originally called on Monday, is now likely to be extended until at least Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning, Bushfires NT issued multiple updates on a series of blazes across the region, most of which are currently contained but vulnerable to change, owing to the prevailing hot, windy and dry conditions.

Advice has been issued for scrub and grass fires at Manton Dam, Old Bynoe Rd at Livingstone, Gunn Point Rd at Koolpinyah, and Morgan Rd between Virginia and Zuccoli.

The Livingstone fire has been burning since at least Saturday, with Bushfires NT saying it was being driven by “heavy fuel loads of unmanaged gamba grass, in some cases surrounding houses and other infrastructure”.

Just after 5pm on Monday, emergency services responded to a “large grass and scrub fire in bushland behind Zuccoli,” according to Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Brendan Magnoli.

“Crews attended (15 members comprising of Palmerston as well as volunteers from Humpty Doo, Koolpinyah, Howard Springs, and Bees Creek and Virginia) and began placing defensive lines around the back of properties near Sundew Cct,” Mr Magnoli said.

“Thankfully, no injuries were reported and the fire was contained.

“Small spot fires may still be occurring in the area and NTFRS still has crews on scene.

“Yesterday and today have seen total fire bans... due to weather forecasts indicating extreme fire risk.

“There is also similar weather predicted for tomorrow.”

Across the Territory, other locations currently experiencing advice level bushfires include Elsey, Phillip Creek Station, and Namitjira.

NT Health has issued a health alert due to the prevalence of smoke and other particulate matter in the air.

“Fires burning in Greater Darwin and the Top End region have led to smoky conditions that can affect your health,” the government department said.

“During periods of heavy smoke, visibility and air quality can be impacted.

“Common reactions people may experience from heavy smoke includes itchy or burning eyes, sore throat, runny nose [and] coughing.”

Palmerston shrouded in smoke after significant fire at city’s edge

Initial, Tuesday 9am: Palmerston woke to streets shrouded in smoke on Tuesday morning after a significant fire on the local government area’s edge sent plumes of thick smoke skywards the evening prior.

On Monday evening just after 6pm at Bellamack, a pillar of dark smoke was seen rising from what appeared to be bushland in the vicinity of Mitchell/Zuccoli.

The NT Fire Incident Map recorded a grass and scrub fire off Bertram Rd, Zuccoli, that burnt from 5pm until after 10pm on Monday.

The massive smoke plume could be seen as far as Nightcliff and the Casuarina Coastal Reserve, with smoke blowing and dissipating out over the water.

NT Fire and Rescue has been contacted for comment.

Before 8am, the air quality in Palmerston was rated ‘poor’ by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) due to the high presence of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air.

A significant scrub fire burning at the edge of Palmerston on the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024. Picture: Alex Treacy

The city’s particulate monitor previously recorded a concentration in excess of 60 PM2.5/m3, but by 8.20am the air quality rating had improved to ‘fair’, after a drop to 25 PM2.5/m3.

The NT EPA advises that sensitive groups should reduce or avoid outdoor activity if developing a cough or shortness of breath, and close windows at home.

Smoke from the Palmerston scrub fire was visible at the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Picture: Katie Hall

If impacted breathing persists, contact the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or call triple-0 in an emergency.

A total fire ban for the Darwin and Adelaide River fire weather forecast areas, which includes the Darwin, Batchelor and Adelaide River emergency response areas, and the Litchfield Council and Coomalie Shire areas, continued into Tuesday after being called the day prior.