More warnings: Fire leaves Tennant Creek smoke layer, Red Centre crews begin back burning

Crews worked into Monday after weekend fires broke out in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Watch the video.

Blazes in Tennant Creek have continued to burn into Monday, with crews fighting fires since Friday evening.

On Saturday, this masthead reported multiple fires had broken out near Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

Bushfires NT reported on Sunday the Barkly fires continued into the new week, prompting additional safety messaging.

In Tennant Creek, fire services responded on Friday evening to grass and scrub fires just north of the town, near the Stuart Hwy on Hingstons Pl about 8pm, as well as a separate fire on Weaber Rd about 9pm.

While fire crews managed to stop the Weaber Rd fire, Bushfires NT shared in a Facebook update on Sunday there were two active fires near Tennant Creek that staff, volunteers and local land owners continued to monitor.

A fire was reported on Friday evening at Tennant Creek. Picture: Senior Fire Management Officer Troy Munckton

Work was done to strengthen fire breaks around some nearby structures on Saturday evening to protect them from damages.

“Smoke from those fires may impact Tennant Creek for the next few days,” the post said.

In an additional safety message, Bushfires NT said during periods of heavy smoke visibility and air quality could be affected, and could adversely affect people with heart and lung conditions.

As well as the Tennant Creek fires, a fire was reported on Saturday morning near Amoonguna, southeast of Alice Springs.

Bushfires NT shared in its update that the fire near Alice Springs was contained with staff and volunteers working through Sunday and into the evening.

Crews began a back burn on Sunday night to prevent the fire’s spread.

“Some great work by our Alice Springs [Bushfire Brigade] volunteers working with NT Fire volunteers yesterday,” Bushfires NT said.

“Makes it real hard to control a fire when Mother Nature sends a willy willy through the fire ground spreading embers.

“Outstanding effort under challenging conditions.”

Originally published as More warnings: Fire leaves Tennant Creek smoke layer, Red Centre crews begin back burning