Alice Springs bushfire threat ‘decreasing’, watch and act warning downgraded

NT Fire and Rescue has urged residents to continue to monitor conditions in case anything changes.

Residents in the vicinity of a bushfire that had been burning on the corner of Colonel Rose Drive and Schaber Road Alice Springs have been advised to “resume normal activities”.

On Friday night NT Fire and Rescue advised the threat was decreasing but urged residents to monitor conditions in case anything changed.

“The fire is at a stage where fire fighting resources are only required for patrol purposes and major reignition is unlikely,” a spokesman said.

“For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to turn on headlights and drive safely to the conditions.”

Evacuation warning as fire rages near Alice Springs

Alice Springs residents are being urged to consider evacuation plans as a bushfire rages near the town.

At 2.30pm the NT Fire and Rescue Service upgraded a watch-and-act alert to an Emergency warning for a blaze burning on the corner of Colonel Rose Drive and Schaber Road Alice Springs, about 7km from town.

“All residents in the area are urged to take action to protect their families and homes by implementing emergency plans,” the police alert said.

“Consider evacuation at this time.”

Northern Territory Police. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area and to obey directions from emergency services personnel.
Police are advising residents to leave the area immediately if it becomes unsafe.

If it is not safe to leave, police are urging members of the public to shelter indoors immediately.

“Any delay now puts your life at risk,” the police statement said.

“The risk of loss of life or threat to properties is almost certain or has occurred, Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service is primarily undertaking defensive strategies to protect lives and property.”

Friday’s emergency comes just days after lightning sparked a fire in West MacDonnell National Park about 130km from Alice Springs which has forced the closure of Larapinta Trail until the end of March.