Your property is your responsibility
Rural landholders are being reminded it is their responsibility to have their properties ready and bushfire survival plans in place this fire season following the destruction of a structure near Adelaide River.
The fire danger period is well underway, however Bushfires NT has reported properties with inadequate protection.
Make sure you have a well-maintained lawn around your home and 4 metre firebreaks around property and assets that are free from slashed or dead material. Don’t have any vegetation more than 50 millimetres high.
You should also reduce fuel loads by clearing away dried grass, dead leaves and branches.
We urge the public to call 000 to report a fire and report illegal or suspicious activity in their community to police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Quotes by Bushfires NT, Director of Operations, Tony Fuller
“Your property is your responsibility. You need to ensure you have well maintained firebreaks and cleared areas around any assets you don’t want destroyed by fire.
“We are only at the start of the fire danger season, but have already had many close calls, and unfortunately some assets have been lost including water tanks, cars, fences, irrigation and crops.
“Sadly a house-like structure was destroyed by fire on Wednesday south of Adelaide River. It was not able to be saved as it was destroyed prior to our arrival. This fire is under investigation and is believed to be suspicious.
“Several other properties were impacted by the fire south of Adelaide River and at Berry Creek. “Bushfires staff and volunteers, our aerial assets with support from NT Fire Emergency Response Group and NT Fire and Rescue managed to protect those properties.
“This time of year is always busy for our brigades, and there is no guarantee we will be able to respond to every call. You and your family need to have a fire management plan and a survival plan in place.
“The majority of fires at this time of year are not planned burns but are the result of accidental ignition and deliberately lit illegal fires. “Taking action and preparing your property now could be the difference between life and death in a fire.”
