Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Bushfire warning for central desert region
Australia’s central desert region is ripe for a massive bushfire event after a wetter than average winter fuelled vegetation growth, fire experts warn.
April 28, 2022
Australia’s central desert region is ripe for a massive bushfire event, Northern Territory fire experts warn.
The Alice Springs region’s vegetation fuel load is huge and highly flammable after one of the wettest winters on record and a scorching summer.
“In the desert, fire burns where water flows because that’s where fuel, in the form of vegetation, is heaviest,” Charles Darwin University fire expert Rohan Fisher said.
Parts of Alice Springs were under a watch and act alert over the Easter long weekend, and fires west of the town of 25,000 could be seen from space.
Additional fire services have been flown to Alice Springs as a precautionary measure to help mitigate any additional risks.
Mr Fisher said even as the weather cooled it was important to be aware that the fuel load and fire risk remained.