A public meeting called this week by local emergency services served its purpose to allay the town’s fears after the Barkly was declared an emergency situation on Tuesday.

More than 300 people packed the Civic Hall to hear the latest fire update. More than 1,323,300 hectares have been burnt with the fire active for over two weeks.

Around 60 additional firefighters have joined the firefighting efforts, hailing from the Australian Defence Force and New South Wales and South Australia.

Bushfires NT and the NT Fire and Rescue Service have been actively taking contingency measures and backburning around the town.

The town remains under a Watch and Act alert.

The community has rallied behind the hard work and tough conditions from local and visiting front-line responders.

Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin and Member for Barkly Steve Edgington have raised thousands of dollars to provide drinks for the firefighters after their shifts, with the first event taking place last night at the Memo Club.

Tonight there will be a special appreciation event at the Tennant Creek RSL Club, where Barkly Regional Council, NT Government, Tennant Creek Lions Club, RSL Club, Tennant Creek IGA and Barkly Butchers have all chipped in to give the firefighters a special night to unwind after the day’s effort. The RSL Club will be closed to the public, allowing the firefighters a private venue for the night.

To keep up to date on Barkly bushfire alerts, follow https://securent.nt.gov.au/respond/barkly-region-fires.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 15 September 2023.