Fire danger periods
A fire danger period can be declared for either the whole or part of the Territory for a specific period of time. Any area specified under a declaration of fire danger period is known as a fire danger area.
When is it declared
Bushfires NT and NT Fire and Rescue Service declares the fire danger period for the Top End and Central Australia at different times in the lead up to the bushfire season. It depends on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and local conditions.
During a fire danger period, all landholders within a fire danger area must have a permit to burn.
Check whether the fire danger period is in force in your area.
The fire danger period is not the same thing as a fire ban.
For further information on fire bans, go to the Northern Territory Government website.
To find out what your requirements are during a fire danger period, go to the Northern Territory Government website.
Declaration information
The following Fire Danger Periods are in place:
| Region | Period |
|---|---|
Vernon Arafura Fire Management Zone | 1 October 2024 – 3 November 2024 |
Savanna Fire Management Zone | 2 July 2024 – 17 November 2024 |
Alice Springs Fire Management Zone | 7 October – 2 December 2024 |
Barkly Fire Management Zone | 7 October – 2 December 2024 |
For further information regarding the location of each zone, please refer to the maps below.
Alternatively, you can view Bushfires NT Fire Management Zones in relation to your address or location of interest, go to the Bushfires NT website.
Fire Danger Period Declarations (Current)
| Fire Danger Period Declarations (Current) | Map of Fire Danger Area |
|---|---|
| Active Fire Danger Periods Territory Map View | Active Fire Danger Periods Territory View PDF 592.7 KB |
| Fire Danger Period Extension Savanna Fire Management Zone July 2 2024 – 17 November 2024 | Savanna Fire Management Zone PDF 595.7 KB |
| 2024 Declaration of a Fire Danger Period Vernon Arafura and Savanna Fire Management Zone (Vernon Arafura Tuesday 1 October 2024 – Sunday 3 November 2024) (Savanna Monday 9 September - Sunday 3 November 2024) | Vernon Arafura and Savanna Fire Management Zones PDF 1.0 MB |
| 2024 Declaration of Fire Danger Period Alice Springs and Barkly Fire Management Zone - Monday October 7 2024 – Monday 2 December 2024 | Alice Springs and Barkly Fire Management Zones PDF 326.5 KB |
Expired Declarations
| Expired Declarations | Map of Fire Danger Area |
|---|---|
| 2024 Declaration of a fire danger area and fire danger period | Northern Fire Protection Zone PDF 680.7 KB |
| 2023-2024 Declaration of a fire danger period | NT wide map PDF 707.1 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger area and fire danger period | Central Australia PDF 191.5 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger area and fire danger period | Katherine PDF 426.0 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger area and fire danger period | NT wide PDF 309.9 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger period | Barkly PDF 332.5 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 341.2 KB |
| 2023 Declaration of a fire danger period has been extended | Central Australia PDF 282.5 KB |
| 2022 Declaration of a fire danger period | Savanna region PDF 525.2 KB |
| 2022-2023 Declaration of a fire danger period | Central Australia PDF 280.6 KB |
| 2022 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 456.5 KB |
| 2021 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 449.6 KB
NOTE: Central Australia was not declared. |
| 2020 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 398.3 KB |
| 2019-20 Declaration of a fire danger period | Central Australia PDF 247.8 KB |
| 2018-19 Declaration of a fire danger period | Central Australia PDF 315.9 KB |
| 2018 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 315.4 KB |
| 2019 Declaration of a fire danger period | Top End PDF 323.0 KB |
| 2020-21 Declaration of a fire danger period | Central Australia PDF 265.9 KB |