Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services encourage Territorians to enjoy Territory Day and to celebrate safely.
The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service are taking several precautions in preparation for this year’s “Cracker Night”’ with enhanced crewing and resources across emergency response areas. An Incident Management Team will be established for the night and the following day to ensure the safety of Territorians and visitors. Additional preparations include the recent implementation of FireMapper, an app that enables firefighters to map and track active fires.
For parts of the Territory north of Elliott, there is a declared fire danger period in place, coinciding with the Top End fire season. The Top End received above average rainfall last wet season causing significant grass fuel growth in some areas increasing the bushfire risk. This resulted in above normal bushfire potential for areas of the western Top End through August.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer said rural residents throughout the NT need to prepare their properties.
“People should ensure they have a written and practiced bushfire survival plan in place, as it isn’t unrealistic to think that residents will be faced with a fire on their property on Cracker Night or the days following.”
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Billy Lynch said, “Fire dangers will reach high to very high across the Darwin region during Sunday, easing to low to moderate during the evening.”
For one day only on 29 August, the public is allowed to purchase fireworks from retailers between 9:00am and 9:00pm and light fireworks between 6:00pm and 11:00pm.
NT Police can issue on the spot fines if people use fireworks in a way that could damage property or injure a person or animal. Fines can also be issued if people are caught with fireworks after midday on Monday 30 August 2021. Police have been working closely with firefighters in the lead up to Territory Day, to ensure any inappropriate behaviour relating to fireworks is identified and addressed.
The public are reminded to keep updated on the NT Fire Incident Map, PFES Facebook page, SecureNT and Bushfires NT pages respectively.
People with unused fireworks can contact NT WorkSafe on 1800 019 115 to organise return of fireworks for safe disposal. Fireworks can also be handed in to a police station front counter.
