Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced this morning that the emergency declaration for the Barkly area is set to lift.
This morning the Watch and Act notice was downgraded to Advice level, however the situation in the area remains serious with work continuing to mitigate the fire threat in the area.
Heavy smoke remains over Tennant Creek and the Barkly Region as the bushfire continues with back-burning and mitigation efforts ongoing in the area.
Still conditions in the evening and overnight mean the smoke haze continues to linger until mid-morning, with Tennant Creek’s air quality rated “very poor” due to particulate matter in the air from the nearby fires.
People with respiratory illnesses or sensitive medical conditions are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, and to not exercise until the air quality improves.
Air quality may improve slightly throughout the day, however with the fire and back-burning continuing throughout the area, poor air conditions are expected to persist for a number of days.
If you don’t need to go outside, please stay indoors.
NT Health advises people with respiratory conditions or illnesses to:
Avoid physical outdoor activityStay indoors, with windows and doors closed where possibleIf using an air-conditioner, set it to recirculateFollow your asthma action plan and seek immediate medical advice or care if neededCall 000 in an emergency.
If you are concerned about the air quality around your area, NT Health recommends using the AirRater app. The app allows you to monitor air quality at your location as well as providing information on bushfires and planned burns.
Download the app for free: https://airrater.org here
Animals can also be sensitive to smoke. It is recommended to keep pets inside if possible with access to food, water and toileting areas. Watch for signs of coughing and breathing difficulty. Keep animals ash and soot-free where possible – they may try to groom themselves, as the ash and soot can be harmful. Wash them as you normally would with mild detergents. Seek advice from your local vet if you think your pet or animal is unwell.
Planning is in place for shelters in the region should the need arise.
