An emergency warning was issued early on Wednesday afternoon with the fire burning in extreme weather conditions at Blackmore, about 80km from central Darwin.
With reports of properties and structures being engulfed, residents were urged by Bushfires NT to leave immediately or shelter indoors if it was unsafe to leave, as firefighters battled to protect homes.
In an updated advisory on Wednesday evening, the agency reduced the threat level to watch and act, with fire crews working to consolidate control lines.
"The immediate threat has passed however conditions may still change," it said.
"Residents are urged to remain vigilant into the evening.
Properties along Mieland Road in Blackmore were under threat, Acting Chief Fire Control Officer Nathaniel Stanford told ABC Radio earlier on Wednesday.Reports from the fireground suggested structures had been engulfed, with reports three houses, multiple sheds and vehicles had been burnt."We haven't confirmed all the details on that yet," Mr Stanford said."At the moment, we're really trying to prevent that fire impacting any further structures."
A helicopter and at least two fixed-wing aircraft were over the fire scene on Wednesday afternoon as a large grey plume of smoke towered over the eucalypt woodland surrounding Blackmore.
The main access road was blocked by police until conditions eased later in the afternoon and returning residents were let through.
Luke Stacey arrived with a fire pump and water on his ute tray to assist friends who lived in Blackmore, a community of large bush blocks, saying they were at their property and safe.
A woman, who did not wish to be named, was hosing down smouldering tree stumps beside her intact home on Wednesday evening, telling AAP she was sad to lose the bushland but relieved her house survived.
Firefighters were to continue containment work overnight.
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