Month: April 2026

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Victoria’s fire season to officially end

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

  • Glenelg Shire Council   

As fire restrictions are lifted, CFA is urging residents to remain alert as the current and continued conditions can still lead to grassfires even in cooler weather.   

CFA Deputy Chief Officer South West Region Adrian Gutsche said the removal of restrictions in Glenelg Shire was due to several favourable factors. 

“Cooler temperatures, and in some areas welcomed rainfall, has helped reduce overall fire risk in the area,” Adrian said.   

Since 1 March 2026, when restrictions began easing, CFA has responded to 52 instances of escaped burn-offs across the state.  

“We acknowledge and understand the desire for landowners to undertake burning off practices on their properties, and while encouraged throughout this period, we ask that they do so safely,” Adrian said.  

“This statistic emphasises how important it is for landowners to take precautions and ensure that someone is in attendance at all times to monitor the burn, and enough water is on hand to extinguish it.   

“Before you ignite a burn, ensure wind conditions are suitable, and you have prepped the area appropriately with clear firebreaks.” 

By planning your burn-off (more than 2 hours in advance) an online registration is the fastest and simplest option, and allows 000 call-takers to prioritise emergency calls. If you wish to start your burn-off immediately (within 2 hours), you can register by calling 1800 668 511 – please remember, emergency 000 calls will always be attended to first, and registering online is preferred. 

Where possible, landowners should also notify neighbours and those nearby who may be sensitive to smoke.  

Burn-off safety checklist  

  • Check fire restrictions in your area and register your burn-off.  
  • Monitor weather conditions, especially wind.   
  • Notify neighbours to prevent unnecessary emergency calls.  
  • Maintain a three-metre firebreak, clear of flammable materials.  
  • Have enough equipment and water to contain the fire.   
  • Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay until it is fully extinguished.  
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Charges – Stealing with violence – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Three male youths have been arrested in relation to a stealing with violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs on Saturday morning.

Around 10:40am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of the incident at a service station on Palm Circuit in Ross.

It is alleged a group of male youths entered the service station and began stealing items. When an adult male employee confronted the offenders outside, they allegedly threw rocks at him.

Police responded and arrested three male youths aged 13, 14 and 16 nearby. The victim did not suffer any injuries.

One offender was later charged with Assault a worker and Theft, and the second offender was charged with Theft. Both are due to appear in court today.

The third offender was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 2005.

Anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

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UPDATE: Call for information – Missing child – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is seeking public assistance in the search for missing 5-year-old Sharon in Alice Springs.

Around 1:35am on Sunday morning, police received reports that Sharon could not be located at her residence on Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs. It is believed she was last seen around 11:30pm on Saturday evening.

Police have conducted an initial search of the area utilising extensive resources and have been unable to locate Sharon.

She was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear.

Police are seeking public assistance to locate 47-year-old male, Mr Jefferson Lewis, who police believe can assist with enquires.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Lewis or Sharon, or who has any information at all, is urged to call police on 000. Please quote reference P26120934.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

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Mobile Traffic Operation Targets High‑Risk Driving in Glenorchy and Rosetta

Source: Tasmania Police

Mobile Traffic Operation Targets High‑Risk Driving in Glenorchy and Rosetta

Saturday, 25 April 2026 – 4:33 pm.

This morning, members of Glenorchy Uniform conducted a mobile traffic operation across the Glenorchy and Rosetta areas, aimed at improving road safety and identifying high‑risk driving behaviours.
During the operation, police conducted 45 random drug and alcohol tests. As a result, officers issued 30 speeding infringements, detected one driver who returned a positive alcohol reading of more than double the legal limit, and identified one disqualified driver.
While the majority of motorists were compliant, police are disappointed by the small number of drivers who failed to follow the law.
Alcohol and speed remain two of the Fatal Five contributing factors to serious and fatal crashes on our roads. Operations like this are critical to removing dangerous drivers from our roads. It is particularly concerning that some individuals continue to ignore the law and choose to drive under the influence, putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.
Police remind all drivers to obey speed limits, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and ensure they are licensed and fit to drive.
Mobile traffic operations will continue to be conducted across the region to enhance road safety and reduce serious injury and death on Tasmania’s roads.

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Man charged with drug and firearms offences after a vehicle intercept near Blessington

Source: Tasmania Police

Man charged with drug and firearms offences after a vehicle intercept near Blessington

Saturday, 25 April 2026 – 4:27 pm.

A 42 year old man from Newnham has been charged with drug and firearms offences after a vehicle intercept near Blessington on Friday 24 April 2026.
Police intercepted a blue Mitsubishi Magna while on patrol in the Ben Lomond area.  The vehicle was unregistered and being driven by a disqualified driver.  A search of the vehicle located a significant quantity of drugs, cash and ammunition.
The driver was charged with:

Disqualified driving
Possessing a controlled drug
Possessing a controlled plant product
Possessing ammunition whilst not the holder of a firearms licence
Possessing a thing used for administering a controlled drug
Possessing a firearm part whilst not the holder of a licence
Using un unregistered motor vehicle

This is a reminder that police can be anywhere … anytime.

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Task Force Scelus vehicle intercept leads to drug, firearm and cash seizure

Source: Tasmania Police

Task Force Scelus vehicle intercept leads to drug, firearm and cash seizure

Saturday, 25 April 2026 – 3:57 pm.

A 40-year-old West Ulverstone man has been charged with drug and firearm offences after a vehicle intercept by Task Force Scelus members at Ulverstone on Friday afternoon.
During a search of the vehicle, police located the following items:

26 grams of methylamphetamine
3 grams of MDMA
$6,615 cash
Other evidence conducive of illicit drug distribution and sales

The man was arrested and police conducted a further search at a nearby premises, locating:

A realistic replica revolver
115 grams of cannabis
A quantity of prescription medication

The man has been charged with:

Trafficking in a controlled substance
Selling a controlled drug
Possessing a controlled drug
Possessing a controlled plant or its products
Possessing a thing used for the administration of a controlled drug
Possessing a firearm when not the holder of a firearm licence of the appropriate category

He has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Acting Sergeant Ben Kirkby said the result was a strong example of proactive policing by Task Force Scelus.
“This was a successful search that removed illicit drugs, cash, and a firearm from the community,” Acting Sergeant Kirkby said.
“Task Force Scelus remains an agile and mobile task force unit, responding to illicit crime and drug activity across the district while also maintaining a strong focus on road safety enforcement.”
Anyone with information about illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.

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New CFA podcast series

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

‘From the frontline’ is a new podcast series about the extraordinary work our members do to protect the Victorian community.

After a soft launch in 2025, the podcast series returns with episode two, featuring Roy Moriarty, former captain of the Wye River Fire Brigade.

We hear Roy’s first-hand account of the 2015 Jamieson Track fire which impacted the towns of Wye River and Separation Creek on Christmas Day 2015.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more stories from our people.

Did you know?

You can also tune in to podcast versions of the monthly CFA Volunteer Forum. Check them out here.

Submitted by CFA News
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Aggravated robbery and vehicle crash – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating after a stolen motor vehicle crashed early this morning in Katherine.

Around 3:30am, police received a report from a 60-year-old woman that a group of youths, armed with a knife, had threatened her at a residence before stealing her White Toyota Landcruiser.

Police deployed to the scene and a pursuit was initiated but terminated a short time later due to the dangerous driving of the offenders.

Around 5:30am, a report was received that the vehicle had crashed along the Stuart Highway, opposite the skate park.

Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene, with up to 7 youths fleeing on foot.

Over the course of the morning, multiple youths have been located by police and St John Ambulance with varying degrees of injuries, all consistent with a serious crash.

All have been conveyed to hospital for treatment and assessment.

Investigations into the incident remain ongoing, as well as investigations into further offending the group may have participated in overnight.

Police are urging anyone with information, particularly CCTV or dashcam, to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P26121010.

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Concern for welfare – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force holds concerns for the welfare of 5-year-old Sharon who was reported missing from Alice Springs overnight.

Around 1:35am, police received reports that Sharon could not be located at her residence on Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs.

She was last seen wearing a dark blue short sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around neck and white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear.

Police have conducted an initial search of the area and have been unable to locate Sharon.

Police are urging anyone with information to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference number P26120934.