🟠 In Central Australia, large areas of high fuel loads will dry out over coming months, significantly increasing bushfire risk.
🟠 The Top End is likely to have an average fire season, with fire danger periods expected to be in place from mid-June.
🟠 Reducing fire risk now will help protect properties and communities from large, damaging bushfires later in the year.
The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) yesterday released its Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Winter 2026, identifying a heightened risk of fire across northern parts of the Great Sandy Desert and surrounding areas in Western Australia.
The NT has received exceptional rainfall, ranging from above average to very much above average. This has resulted in high soil moisture and widespread grass growth across the territory. Wet ground, waterlogged terrain, and delayed fuel curing are expected to limit access for fire management activities, reducing opportunities to strengthen burn lines and complete ground-based mitigation works.
The outlook highlights an increase in bushfire risk for Central Australia due to its large areas of grass drying out over the coming months. Areas in Alice Springs, Barkly, MacDonnell, Plenty, Tanami and Tennant Creek currently hold a significant blanket of grass that will cure over coming months, contributing to increasing bushfire risk later in the year.
The Top End is noted to likely have an average fire season, with fire danger period from mid-June. The outlook notes as the dry season continues there may be a heightened risk from September.
Chief Fire Officer, NT Fire and Rescue Service Stephen Sewell AFSM said although this outlook raises no major alarm bells, the Northern Territory community must remain steadfast in preparing for the bushfire season.
"Following an intense wet season, preparation is paramount to ensuring the safety of the community. We are in this together and all landowners need to take responsibility for fire risks on their properties," he said.
"We are well prepared to respond to the risks ahead, and we are actively identifying fire mitigation opportunities in the Top End and Central Australia."
Director of Operations and A/Chief Fire Control Officer Bushfires NT Nathaniel Staniford reinforced the importance of not being complacent.
"Landholders must prepare their property against bushfire risk now. It's time to take practical steps to reduce fuel loads before conditions deteriorate," he said.
"Sticking to the basics will go a long way: four-metre firebreaks around your property and any permanent infrastructure, reducing fuel loads, preparing a bushfire emergency kit, and knowing where to find information in an emergency."
With the Top End bushfire season underway, Territorians are encouraged to learn the warnings under the Australian Warning System, which explains what actions should be taken in response to a hazard or emergency. Territorians should also prepare by completing a bushfire survival plan.
