Rural landholders are being urged to update their property bushfire management and survival plans with the official declaration of the Fire Danger Period.
A fire danger period has been declared from 2 July 2024 to 30 September 2024 in the Vernon Arafura Fire Management Zone and the Savanna Fire Management Zone. It does not include the Arnhem Fire Management Zone.
The declaration means landholders are required to have a permit to burn before starting any fire, and a person must not leave an area before thoroughly extinguishing any fire they have lit.
Failure to comply can result in substantial penalties.
Permits to burn are required all year round in the Fire Protection Zones managed by Bushfires NT. These permits still remain but may be altered suspended or revoked depending on the fire weather predictions.
Cooking fires are still permitted however they should be in a cleared area and not left unattended.
The risk in Arnhem Land has been determined as lower than the risk in the Vernon Arafura and Savanna Fire Management Zones. This is because Arnhem Land has experienced later rains and the fuel has not cured to the same extent as it has in the other Fire Management Zones. In addition, the Arnhem Land area is subject to a comprehensive mitigation program administered by a combination of Aboriginal Fire Management groups. As a result, the risk of wildfires in that area is greatly reduced. Risk will be re-assessed as the weather changes.
People are urged to report any illegal or suspicious activity to police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Call 000 to report a fire.
Quotes by Executive Director, Bushfires NT, Collene Bremner
“Bushfires NT is as ready as we can be, and now is the time to make sure your property and family is prepared for this Fire Danger Period.
“Landholders need to have a property bushfire management plan and a survival plan in place. Dry Season is always busy for our brigades, and there is no guarantee we will be able to respond to every call.
“Reduce fuel loads by clearing away dried grass, dead leaves and branches.
“Maintain a well-cut lawn around your home and install 4m firebreaks around property and assets that are free from slashed or dead material. Don’t have any vegetation more than 50 millimetres high.
“Make sure you have plenty of water and the right equipment to put out a fire, if necessary.
“Importantly, ensure your property is easily identifiable with a street and lot number visible on the front gate. Clearly visible signs are critical to help our firies find your home.”
