With thousands of residents and visitors set to either watch fireworks displays or have their own on July 1, Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service crews have spent the past few months ensuring there is as little dry grass around as possible.

“As part of our bushfire mitigation program, we have conducted over 20 fuel reduction burns so far this year,” leading firefighter Garry Branson told the Katherine Times as crews completed last-minute preparations around the Katherine Showground on June 25.

“Areas that pose a threat to assets around the town are initially targeted.

“Any grassy areas are prone to fires caused by fireworks.

“The old air strip has been an issue in the past, as is the riverbank around the High Level Bridge.”

Mr Branson said that Territory Day was traditionally the busiest day of the year for Katherine’s firefighters.

“Territory Day is historically the busiest single 24 hours on our calendar, with between 10 and 30 calls,” he said.

“We regularly attend fires caused by fireworks for months following the event.”

An NT Worksafe spokesman urged Katherinites to celebrate Territory Day safely by becoming familiar with the rules pertaining to possessing fireworks.

Fireworks can only be let off between 6pm and 11pm on July 1, and any leftover fireworks must be disposed of by midday on July 2.