Increasing fire danger in Katherine
The Savanna region is experiencing increased fire danger due to worsening fire weather conditions. Bushfires NT (BFNT) and the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) have declared a Fire Danger Period for the Savanna region from 4 November to 31 December 2022.
This declaration means you are required to have a permit to burn anywhere between the 19th parallel of south latitude (approximately 60kms north of Tennant Creek) to the 14th parallel of south latitude (approximately 60kms north of Katherine) during this time.
The major effect of this declaration is that, throughout the declared area, a permit to burn is required before any burning is conducted, and a person must not leave an area before thoroughly extinguishing any fire they have lit. There are substantial penalties for failing to comply with these requirements.
The existing declaration between the 19th parallel and the Northern Territory border with South Australia remains unchanged.
It’s now time for all Katherine landholders to have their properties and bushfire survival plans in place with the declaration of the start of the Fire Danger Period for the Savanna region.
Today also marks the first Fire Ban for the Savanna region. The Fire Ban has been declared for a 24 hour period for Friday 4 November 2022 for the following areas within the Gregory, Carpentaria Fire Weather Forecast areas and the Katherine Fire Protection Zone.
Quotes by Bushfires Assistant Director Operations Andrew Turner
“Now is the time to make sure your property and family is prepared for this Fire Danger Period.
“The Savanna region has already seen increase fire activity, so you need to be prepared for the danger of a bushfire.
“It’s vital that you have a bushfire management plan and a survival plan in place for your family and home.
“Ensure your property has a low fuel load by clearing away dried grass, dead leaves and branches, installing and maintaining firebreaks that are free from slashed or dead material and don’t have any vegetation more than 50 millimetres high.
“Make sure you have plenty of water and the right firefighting equipment to put out a fire if necessary.
“During a Fire Ban period no person shall light a fire or cause a fire to be lit in the open in the portion of the Northern Territory within the fire ban areas.
“We also urge the public to report illegal or suspicious activity in their community to police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Go to nt.gov.au/bushfires for more information about Bushfires NT or pfes.nt.gov.au/fire-and-rescue-service for more information about the NTFRS.
For the latest information on fires and warnings visit bushfires.nt.gov.au/incidentmap or follow Bushfires NT on Facebook
