Firebreaks in the Northern Territory
Be prepared, install your firebreaks!
Under the Bushfires Management Act 2016, if your property is within a fire protection zone, your are legally required to install and maintain fire breaks.
Check if you're within a fire protection zone:
- Northern fire protection zone map
- Alice Springs fire protection zone map
- Katherine fire protection zone map
- Tennant Creek fire protection zone map
Remember that if you're within a fire protection zone, your firebreaks must:
- be a minimum of 4 metres wide
- be installed around the perimeter of your property
- be installed around your house or any other permanent structure, stationary engine or flammable materials
- not have any vegetation more than 50mm high and free from slashed or dead material; and
- if your property is infested with gamba grass, ensure that a 15 metre wide buffer free of gamba is also installed and maintained along property boundaries, driveways and structures to avoid its spread.
It's in the best interest of you and your community to ensure your property is ready for the upcoming fire season.
Failure to install and maintain firebreaks can result in a fine.
Contact your nearest volunteer bushfire brigade or regional Bushfires NT office to apply for a permit to burn.
Watch the Bushfires NT video
Fire protection zones
A fire protection zone is set up for the purpose of managing wildfire in areas outside of major towns in the Northern Territory.
To reduce the risk of bushfires in these areas, all land tenures have a responsibility to maintain their property outlined under the Bushfires Management Act 2016.
More information
Read the Bushfires Management Act 2016
Read about permits and lighting fires
For more information about Bushfires NT
Contact Bushfires NT
Follow Bushfires NT on Facebook to keep up to date on activities and latest news.
Last updated: 01 May 2020
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