Wildfire in gamba grass infested country off Hopewell Road, Berry Springs, between Livingstone Road and Berry Creek.

Fire units from Berry Springs, Livingstone, Darwin River, Labasheeda, Lambells Lagoon, Manton, Elizabeth Valley and Bushfires NT in attendance. Johnno Hayden's front end loaders putting in breaks and assisting with mop-up.

Fire reported just before 0700hrs, skies cloudy to overcast, winds variable from the east, gusty at times; gamba grass fully cured.

Later - skies cleared, wind speed increased making fire difficult to control. Assisted by helicopters with Bambi buckets and an Air Tractor water bomber working out of Hughes Airstrip. A floating collar dam was set up on Berry Springs Reserve to supply water for the helicopters.

Fire confined to bushland between Hopewell and Cox Peninsula Roads, burning up to their intersection. Numerous spot-overs on Cox Peninsula Road, all quickly extinguished. Fortunately there were no assets directly under threat, but the Territory Wildlife Park and Berry Springs Nature Park, being just over Cox Peninsula Road and downwind of the fire, were closed as a precaution. Park Rangers assisted in fire management.

Cox Peninsula Road was closed between the Territory Wildlife Park entrance and Hopewell/Finn Road intersection with traffic diverted via Hopewell and Livingstone Roads. Thanks to all drivers for their cooperation.

Monday has been declared total fire ban, crews to be out early for mop-up.

Note: The area burnt was private property, outside the Brigades' prescribed burning program. 

Traffic control

Fire Warden Louie King refuels his pump engine

NT News story - 28 Sep 2009

Mop up crew and tanker obscured by thick smoke

Preparing to start a back burn

The brand new BART tanker on duty at Cox Peninsula Road

Looking north along Cox Peninsula Road

Photos in this slideshow courtesy Steve Solomon

Lambells Lagoon Volunteer Bushfire Brigade