Bushfire in West MacDonnell Ranges shuts Larapinta Trail sections, Standley Chasm
A blaze covering an area of more than 80km is currently burning west of the Red Centre capital, and has forced popular tourist spots to shut. Read what we know.
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A blaze which has been burning for days in the Red Centre has shut popular tourist destinations, with no indication given on when they’re set to reopen.
A bushfire has been burning large swathes of the West MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs, since Tuesday.
The fire is currently burning west of Simpsons Gap along Larapinta Drive, about 25km out of the Red Centre capital, with the blaze stretching north to Tanami Rd.
The total fire front spreads as far west as north of Ellery Creek Big Hole, a distance of about 80km from Simpsons Gap.
As at Saturday, sections two, three, four, and five of the Larapinta Trail are shut, Bushfires NT said in a Facebook post.
The blaze also shut tourist hotspot Standley Chasm until further notice, Standley Chasm Angkerle said in a Facebook post.
On the ground from Larapinta Dr on Saturday afternoon, the fire appeared to be mainly small spot blazes.
The smaller blazes were located closer to Standley Chasm, with entry to the chasm blocked off.
At the entry, Bushfire NT and NT Parks staff said conditions were easing, with the firefighters now focusing on a front north of the chasm.
Alice Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Captain Jen Hamilton said the fire has gone over the ranges on Larapinta Dr towards Tanami Rd.
She said volunteer crews now at Hamilton Downs Station battling the blaze.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast Alice Springs to hit 42 degrees on Saturday, with 15 to 25 km/h winds blowing east and south-easterly throughout the day.
NT Fire and Emergency Services have been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Bushfire in West MacDonnell Ranges shuts Larapinta Trail sections, Standley Chasm
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