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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/nov/18/esperance-bushfires-four-dead-near-wa-town-rolling-report
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Esperance bushfires: victims were 'relatively young', minister says – as it happened | Esperance bushfires: victims were 'relatively young', minister says – as it happened |
(2 months later) | |
9.29am GMT | |
09:29 | |
We’re going to close off our live coverage of the Esperance bushfires here for the night. This is how things stand at the moment: | We’re going to close off our live coverage of the Esperance bushfires here for the night. This is how things stand at the moment: |
9.15am GMT | |
09:15 | |
Western Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, has arrived back in Perth after a fleeting visit to Esperance. He told ABC radio that he could see smoke plumes from 10 bushfires as he arrived in the town. | Western Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, has arrived back in Perth after a fleeting visit to Esperance. He told ABC radio that he could see smoke plumes from 10 bushfires as he arrived in the town. |
Barnett said the overwhelming feeling in the town was of grief for the lives lost, followed by the concern of people for their own property. | Barnett said the overwhelming feeling in the town was of grief for the lives lost, followed by the concern of people for their own property. |
(There is a) great deal of apprehension and a great fear that if the wind was to pick up the fire would again become very ferocious. | (There is a) great deal of apprehension and a great fear that if the wind was to pick up the fire would again become very ferocious. |
When they return they don’t know what they are going to find. | When they return they don’t know what they are going to find. |
Barnett said his government was talking to the Shire of Esperance about providing emergency relief, and was also in talks with the Commonwealth about the area being declared a natural disaster zone. But he said that despite the extensive damage to private property and the loss of life, there was not substantial damage to public property. | Barnett said his government was talking to the Shire of Esperance about providing emergency relief, and was also in talks with the Commonwealth about the area being declared a natural disaster zone. But he said that despite the extensive damage to private property and the loss of life, there was not substantial damage to public property. |
8.19am GMT | |
08:19 | |
Channel 10’s The Project has produced a very impressive/terrifying graphic to show the Esperance fires. Smoke has been picked up on satellite images in Victoria, 2000km away. | Channel 10’s The Project has produced a very impressive/terrifying graphic to show the Esperance fires. Smoke has been picked up on satellite images in Victoria, 2000km away. |
Stay safe, Esperance. Latest warnings on #EsperanceFires: https://t.co/GvKY2SoRlL #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/IzEYPYgN27 | Stay safe, Esperance. Latest warnings on #EsperanceFires: https://t.co/GvKY2SoRlL #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/IzEYPYgN27 |
7.48am GMT | |
07:48 | |
About 165 homes near Salmon Gums, Grass Patch and Scaddan still don’t have mains electricity. A number of power poles burned down in the fire. According to DFES, provider Horizon Power says the damage is expected to be “significant” and it could take days to restore power. | About 165 homes near Salmon Gums, Grass Patch and Scaddan still don’t have mains electricity. A number of power poles burned down in the fire. According to DFES, provider Horizon Power says the damage is expected to be “significant” and it could take days to restore power. |
7.32am GMT | |
07:32 | |
Lloyd Bailey, the deputy fire commissioner with DFES, says firefighters are taking advantage of lower temperatures and lighter winds to strengthen containment lines around the north-eastern edge of the uncontrolled Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire, to prevent it from breaking out and heading toward either of those communities. | Lloyd Bailey, the deputy fire commissioner with DFES, says firefighters are taking advantage of lower temperatures and lighter winds to strengthen containment lines around the north-eastern edge of the uncontrolled Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire, to prevent it from breaking out and heading toward either of those communities. |
Bailey told ABC radio conditions were “a lot more pleasant” today. | Bailey told ABC radio conditions were “a lot more pleasant” today. |
Yesterday was just a combination of extreme conditions and the fire did make some extremely fast runs, runs that it would be… impossible to do anything with | Yesterday was just a combination of extreme conditions and the fire did make some extremely fast runs, runs that it would be… impossible to do anything with |
He would not confirm reports that three of the people killed in the fire were backpackers, who were found in their car. Another man, a local farmer, was also found dead in his car. | He would not confirm reports that three of the people killed in the fire were backpackers, who were found in their car. Another man, a local farmer, was also found dead in his car. |
But he said it was difficult to leave the area and urged people to evacuate early. | But he said it was difficult to leave the area and urged people to evacuate early. |
There’s limited egress out of the area, particularly if you’re in a tight spot. | There’s limited egress out of the area, particularly if you’re in a tight spot. |
It’s not a tidy north-easterly edge on that fire, so with any slight wind change, the fire can come from any direction....It’s not a good place to be and if the option is there to leave, it’s certainly the best one to do. | It’s not a tidy north-easterly edge on that fire, so with any slight wind change, the fire can come from any direction....It’s not a good place to be and if the option is there to leave, it’s certainly the best one to do. |
7.18am GMT | |
07:18 | |
A number of media outlets are naming the farmer who died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. We will post when we confirm. | A number of media outlets are naming the farmer who died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. We will post when we confirm. |
7.13am GMT | |
07:13 | |
Here’s an indication of the severity of the fires in Esperance yesterday. This footage was taken by Kate and Carolyn Sainty of the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire near Merivale, 25km east of Esperance, on Tuesday afternoon. | Here’s an indication of the severity of the fires in Esperance yesterday. This footage was taken by Kate and Carolyn Sainty of the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire near Merivale, 25km east of Esperance, on Tuesday afternoon. |
The fires were pushed along by 100km/h winds on a 40-plus degree, catastrophic fire danger day. Fire commissioner Wayne Gregson said earlier that they were “unstoppable”. | The fires were pushed along by 100km/h winds on a 40-plus degree, catastrophic fire danger day. Fire commissioner Wayne Gregson said earlier that they were “unstoppable”. |
6.57am GMT | |
06:57 | |
The size of the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire has been revised down again. Reports early on Tuesday morning estimated it covered 300,000ha; that dropped to 170,000ha at midday and the most recent information from DFES, as of 2.38pm, puts it at 117,000ha. | The size of the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire has been revised down again. Reports early on Tuesday morning estimated it covered 300,000ha; that dropped to 170,000ha at midday and the most recent information from DFES, as of 2.38pm, puts it at 117,000ha. |
That’s obviously still a huge area but it’s nice to see a fire shrink rather than grow. | That’s obviously still a huge area but it’s nice to see a fire shrink rather than grow. |
Here’s a map of what the fire area looks like. The Salmon Gum/ Grass Patch fire is the larger crosshatched patch on the left, the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire is the patch on the bottom. | Here’s a map of what the fire area looks like. The Salmon Gum/ Grass Patch fire is the larger crosshatched patch on the left, the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire is the patch on the bottom. |
A map showing the affected areas #EsperanceFires #Esperance @Shire_Esperance pic.twitter.com/oim4a7UWfQ | A map showing the affected areas #EsperanceFires #Esperance @Shire_Esperance pic.twitter.com/oim4a7UWfQ |
6.51am GMT | |
06:51 | |
Sheep make up the bulk of the 15,000 stock losses reported for the Esperance fires, according to WA Farmers Federation chief executive Stephen Brown. | Sheep make up the bulk of the 15,000 stock losses reported for the Esperance fires, according to WA Farmers Federation chief executive Stephen Brown. |
Brown has issued a statement offering condolences to farmers affected by the fires, saying the deaths of four people would have a “very significant impact” on the small community. | Brown has issued a statement offering condolences to farmers affected by the fires, saying the deaths of four people would have a “very significant impact” on the small community. |
He continued: | He continued: |
Additionally, we are thinking of all those who have lost property, crops and livestock during the fires. | Additionally, we are thinking of all those who have lost property, crops and livestock during the fires. |
Farmers work hard to ensure that consumers are provided with the best quality produce, and to have a fire destroy crops and livestock on the back of what was going to be a bumper season is heartbreaking | Farmers work hard to ensure that consumers are provided with the best quality produce, and to have a fire destroy crops and livestock on the back of what was going to be a bumper season is heartbreaking |
Brown urged farmers to evacuate well ahead of the bushfires, which while behind containment lines are still burning out of control. | Brown urged farmers to evacuate well ahead of the bushfires, which while behind containment lines are still burning out of control. |
Understandably, local farmers are anxious about the extent on damage on their properties, but we implore them not to put their lives at unnecessary risk by returning to properties while the fires are still raging. | Understandably, local farmers are anxious about the extent on damage on their properties, but we implore them not to put their lives at unnecessary risk by returning to properties while the fires are still raging. |
6.09am GMT | |
06:09 | |
What we know so far | What we know so far |
There’s still very little detail about the fatalities, beyond what was announced this morning. But this is how things stand now: | There’s still very little detail about the fatalities, beyond what was announced this morning. But this is how things stand now: |
Updated | |
at 6.19am GMT | |
5.30am GMT | |
05:30 | |
The emergency services minister, Joe Francis, has told ABC radio that the people who died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire were “relatively young”. | The emergency services minister, Joe Francis, has told ABC radio that the people who died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire were “relatively young”. |
Francis flew to Esperance with the premier, Colin Barnett, on Tuesday morning and is now on a plane back to Perth. | Francis flew to Esperance with the premier, Colin Barnett, on Tuesday morning and is now on a plane back to Perth. |
He said it was a “terrible, tragic way” to start the bushfire season. | He said it was a “terrible, tragic way” to start the bushfire season. |
It was always going to be a very challenging bushfire season but no one wants to start anything like this with a loss of life in particular, loss of four lives, which are relatively young and no doubt wonderful human beings. So our thoughts and prayers obviously go out to their family and friends of those deceased and obviously the town of Esperance. | It was always going to be a very challenging bushfire season but no one wants to start anything like this with a loss of life in particular, loss of four lives, which are relatively young and no doubt wonderful human beings. So our thoughts and prayers obviously go out to their family and friends of those deceased and obviously the town of Esperance. |
I am in the council chambers now and it is a town that is in shock. Certainly, even hasn’t begun the mourning and recovery process because when you lose people who are known, particularly in a very tight-knit community, it’s pretty difficult to comprehend for many people. | I am in the council chambers now and it is a town that is in shock. Certainly, even hasn’t begun the mourning and recovery process because when you lose people who are known, particularly in a very tight-knit community, it’s pretty difficult to comprehend for many people. |
There are eight fires burning in the Esperance region at the moment, the largest of which is the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire, which covers 170,000ha. | There are eight fires burning in the Esperance region at the moment, the largest of which is the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire, which covers 170,000ha. |
Francis again: | Francis again: |
It was the perfect combustable cocktail of the harvest that had only been 40% taken out, the wind, the temperature, the ignition from the lightning storms just a few days before that was still smouldering to some degree, it was the worst of every single possible ingredient. At the end of the day though, houses can be replaced, crops can be written off and insured, human lives can’t be so of course that’s the greatest tragedy involved. | It was the perfect combustable cocktail of the harvest that had only been 40% taken out, the wind, the temperature, the ignition from the lightning storms just a few days before that was still smouldering to some degree, it was the worst of every single possible ingredient. At the end of the day though, houses can be replaced, crops can be written off and insured, human lives can’t be so of course that’s the greatest tragedy involved. |
5.13am GMT | |
05:13 | |
More images are coming through from the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. | More images are coming through from the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. |
A farm in Scaddan near Esperance. #EsperanceFires pic.twitter.com/LqWhd6wKDg | A farm in Scaddan near Esperance. #EsperanceFires pic.twitter.com/LqWhd6wKDg |
Farming in areas like Esperance is a long game - you work though a few tough years on bank loans to get to the good years and pay it all back. This was supposed to be one of the good years. | Farming in areas like Esperance is a long game - you work though a few tough years on bank loans to get to the good years and pay it all back. This was supposed to be one of the good years. |
Aerial view of the #EsperanceFires @abcnews pic.twitter.com/27WSnQr9Hh | Aerial view of the #EsperanceFires @abcnews pic.twitter.com/27WSnQr9Hh |
4.52am GMT | |
04:52 | |
I’m still trying to clear up those reports from earlier today that as many as six people could have died in the bushfire. Police have only confirmed that four people have died - two men and two women, found in two separate vehicles. | I’m still trying to clear up those reports from earlier today that as many as six people could have died in the bushfire. Police have only confirmed that four people have died - two men and two women, found in two separate vehicles. |
As reported earlier, it appears that one of the victims was a farmer driving from house to house to warn people to evacuate. The other three people were found in the same car. Fire commissioner Wayne Gregson was this morning not able to say if they had died in a car crash because of all the smoke on the road. | As reported earlier, it appears that one of the victims was a farmer driving from house to house to warn people to evacuate. The other three people were found in the same car. Fire commissioner Wayne Gregson was this morning not able to say if they had died in a car crash because of all the smoke on the road. |
The reports of additional deaths appear to relate to missing people, although Gregson said there had been no official reports of people missing. That’s likely to remain unclear until emergency services can get in to check on all the properties in the fire zone. | The reports of additional deaths appear to relate to missing people, although Gregson said there had been no official reports of people missing. That’s likely to remain unclear until emergency services can get in to check on all the properties in the fire zone. |
I have heard from the friends of one couple that they have been found safe, after being out of contact for 20 hours. | I have heard from the friends of one couple that they have been found safe, after being out of contact for 20 hours. |
4.28am GMT | |
04:28 | |
Channel 7 cameraman Chris Lange has taken a helicopter flight over the Esperance bushfires, capturing footage of what looks like either a house or shed that has burned down. | Channel 7 cameraman Chris Lange has taken a helicopter flight over the Esperance bushfires, capturing footage of what looks like either a house or shed that has burned down. |
Vision of the destruction from Esperance Fires. These pictures over Scadden. https://t.co/IAxpzSCvD8 | Vision of the destruction from Esperance Fires. These pictures over Scadden. https://t.co/IAxpzSCvD8 |
4.15am GMT | |
04:15 | |
WA premier Colin Barnett has now arrived in Esperance. He tweeted his condolence for the four people killed, as did Nationals leader Terry Redman and Labor leader Mark McGowan. | WA premier Colin Barnett has now arrived in Esperance. He tweeted his condolence for the four people killed, as did Nationals leader Terry Redman and Labor leader Mark McGowan. |
My thoughts & prayers with families whose loved ones have died in the Esperance fires. Gratitude extended to all emergency service workers | My thoughts & prayers with families whose loved ones have died in the Esperance fires. Gratitude extended to all emergency service workers |
Heartbroken for the families who have lost loved ones in the Esperance bushfires. Thinking of you and the Esperance community today. TR | Heartbroken for the families who have lost loved ones in the Esperance bushfires. Thinking of you and the Esperance community today. TR |
My thoughts are with the Esperance community today. Such a sad tragedy. Thankyou to emergency workers and volunteers. Stay safe everyone. MM | My thoughts are with the Esperance community today. Such a sad tragedy. Thankyou to emergency workers and volunteers. Stay safe everyone. MM |
4.12am GMT | |
04:12 | |
This is what the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire looks like from the air. Media arriving in Esperance have been taking photos from the plane. | This is what the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire looks like from the air. Media arriving in Esperance have been taking photos from the plane. |
View from the air from of one of the bushfires near Esperance, Western Australia pic.twitter.com/vx5XZFO2A8 | View from the air from of one of the bushfires near Esperance, Western Australia pic.twitter.com/vx5XZFO2A8 |
Eerie feeling flying through smoke on the way to Esperance. @9NewsPerth pic.twitter.com/FR0YZpOI0l | Eerie feeling flying through smoke on the way to Esperance. @9NewsPerth pic.twitter.com/FR0YZpOI0l |
4.08am GMT | |
04:08 | |
Farmers in the Esperance region were expecting one of their best-ever grain seasons, WA Farmers chief executive Stephen Brown told AAP. Instead, they’re looking at blackened ground. | Farmers in the Esperance region were expecting one of their best-ever grain seasons, WA Farmers chief executive Stephen Brown told AAP. Instead, they’re looking at blackened ground. |
Brown told AAP farmers were in the middle of the harvest. | Brown told AAP farmers were in the middle of the harvest. |
To see your crop going up in smoke after what was going to be a bumper season is heartbreaking. | To see your crop going up in smoke after what was going to be a bumper season is heartbreaking. |
There are reports that stock losses could reach 15,000. Most farmers are insured, but it’s still devastating. | There are reports that stock losses could reach 15,000. Most farmers are insured, but it’s still devastating. |
Here’s a bit more from AAP” | Here’s a bit more from AAP” |
Esperance locals have expressed their dismay after evacuating and in some cases losing their properties as deadly bushfires tear through the south of Western Australia. | Esperance locals have expressed their dismay after evacuating and in some cases losing their properties as deadly bushfires tear through the south of Western Australia. |
Guy Green took to social media after losing his entire family farm to the blaze. | Guy Green took to social media after losing his entire family farm to the blaze. |
“The place I grew up, made me the person I am today and was to be my future is completely gone,” Mr Green said on Facebook. | “The place I grew up, made me the person I am today and was to be my future is completely gone,” Mr Green said on Facebook. |
He said the family had lost all of the farm’s machinery as well as houses. | He said the family had lost all of the farm’s machinery as well as houses. |
“To everyone who has been affected by the fires today, you’re definitely on the top of my mind. Be safe,” Mr Green said. | “To everyone who has been affected by the fires today, you’re definitely on the top of my mind. Be safe,” Mr Green said. |
Bianca Webb said on Facebook she had to run from her property with seven dogs and a cat as fires closed in. | Bianca Webb said on Facebook she had to run from her property with seven dogs and a cat as fires closed in. |
“Good to know my house is no longer in the red zone (evacuation zone), just hope they control it and I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” she said. | “Good to know my house is no longer in the red zone (evacuation zone), just hope they control it and I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” she said. |
3.42am GMT | |
03:42 | |
The town of Esperance, a beautiful little seaside spot 720km south-east of Perth, is extremely isolated. Its 10,000 residents are used to being self-sufficient and looking after their own. Which is probably why support services for bushfire victims are being inundated with volunteers and offers of clothing and assistance. | The town of Esperance, a beautiful little seaside spot 720km south-east of Perth, is extremely isolated. Its 10,000 residents are used to being self-sufficient and looking after their own. Which is probably why support services for bushfire victims are being inundated with volunteers and offers of clothing and assistance. |
The Civic Centre, which is doubling as an evacuation centre, got a particularly enthusiastic response to its request for orange juice for a community breakfast. The Shire of Esperance is collating a list of donations – which range from clothes to food to spare rooms and agistment for animals – through its Facebook page. | The Civic Centre, which is doubling as an evacuation centre, got a particularly enthusiastic response to its request for orange juice for a community breakfast. The Shire of Esperance is collating a list of donations – which range from clothes to food to spare rooms and agistment for animals – through its Facebook page. |
However, if you’re in the area and you want to help, you can register with Volunteering WA. They don’t need anyone right now. | However, if you’re in the area and you want to help, you can register with Volunteering WA. They don’t need anyone right now. |
Extra volunteers NOT required at this stage but you can register interest with Esperance VRC online https://t.co/Ra29yyp3jn #EsperanceFires | Extra volunteers NOT required at this stage but you can register interest with Esperance VRC online https://t.co/Ra29yyp3jn #EsperanceFires |
Updated | |
at 5.10am GMT | |
3.32am GMT | |
03:32 | |
ABC Goldfields, which covers the Esperance/Kalgoorlie area of WA, has produced this rather haunting account of the bushfire based on the story of Jen and Dick Parker, who live on a farm in the path of the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. | ABC Goldfields, which covers the Esperance/Kalgoorlie area of WA, has produced this rather haunting account of the bushfire based on the story of Jen and Dick Parker, who live on a farm in the path of the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire. |
The #Esperance fire when it jumped the highway and headed towards the farm Jen Parker was working on @abcnewsperth https://t.co/ouwXDueyeA | The #Esperance fire when it jumped the highway and headed towards the farm Jen Parker was working on @abcnewsperth https://t.co/ouwXDueyeA |
3.20am GMT | |
03:20 | |
Victoria Brown, the president of the Shire of Esperance, has addressed a community meeting in the town, telling residents that Tuesday was “the day from hell”. | Victoria Brown, the president of the Shire of Esperance, has addressed a community meeting in the town, telling residents that Tuesday was “the day from hell”. |
#EsperanceFires Shire President Victoria Brown says conditions yesterday turned it into 'the day from hell' pic.twitter.com/XKQ38vFUgl | #EsperanceFires Shire President Victoria Brown says conditions yesterday turned it into 'the day from hell' pic.twitter.com/XKQ38vFUgl |
#EsperanceFires Shire President 'the community has had experiences like this before but not on this scale' | #EsperanceFires Shire President 'the community has had experiences like this before but not on this scale' |
DFES reports that the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is now contained. Still uncontrolled. So, it’s in the same position as the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire. Firefighters are now preparing for the north-westerly wind change at 1pm. | DFES reports that the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is now contained. Still uncontrolled. So, it’s in the same position as the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lakes fire. Firefighters are now preparing for the north-westerly wind change at 1pm. |
3.14am GMT | |
03:14 | |
The Red Cross is encouraging people living in the bushfire area, or who have relatives living in that area, to register here. | The Red Cross is encouraging people living in the bushfire area, or who have relatives living in that area, to register here. |
If ur in the area of WA #bushfires pls use Register.Find.Reunite. to let yr fam n friends n friends u r ok https://t.co/NruW5W2m5e | If ur in the area of WA #bushfires pls use Register.Find.Reunite. to let yr fam n friends n friends u r ok https://t.co/NruW5W2m5e |
A number of people are using social media to try to locate friends and relatives. We’re holding off posting those names at this time. | A number of people are using social media to try to locate friends and relatives. We’re holding off posting those names at this time. |
Updated | |
at 3.16am GMT | |
3.08am GMT | |
03:08 | |
More from the PM. | More from the PM. |
Australians also applaud the brave firefighters and SES workers in WA as they put their lives on the line to keep communities safe. | Australians also applaud the brave firefighters and SES workers in WA as they put their lives on the line to keep communities safe. |
3.06am GMT | |
03:06 | |
The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has expressed his condolences to bushfire victims via twitter. | The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has expressed his condolences to bushfire victims via twitter. |
Lucy & I join all Australians in expressing our love & solidarity for the families who lost loved ones in the terrible fires at Esperance. | Lucy & I join all Australians in expressing our love & solidarity for the families who lost loved ones in the terrible fires at Esperance. |
The WA premier, Colin Barnett, who is on a government jet en route to Esperance at the moment, told reporters in Perth he was “devastated” by the fire. | The WA premier, Colin Barnett, who is on a government jet en route to Esperance at the moment, told reporters in Perth he was “devastated” by the fire. |
“I think we would probably go back to Dwellingup in the 1960s to see more loss of lives, I think Dwellingup was about six or seven people from memory,” Barnett told the ABC. | “I think we would probably go back to Dwellingup in the 1960s to see more loss of lives, I think Dwellingup was about six or seven people from memory,” Barnett told the ABC. |
2.50am GMT | |
02:50 | |
Calla Wahlquist here, taking over from Elle Hunt. The ABC has reported a sad detail about one of the men who died near Salmon Gums. According to Andy Johnson, an Esperance resident, the man was a local farmer who had been driving from property to property warning people to evacuate. | Calla Wahlquist here, taking over from Elle Hunt. The ABC has reported a sad detail about one of the men who died near Salmon Gums. According to Andy Johnson, an Esperance resident, the man was a local farmer who had been driving from property to property warning people to evacuate. |
“One of my mates’ neighbours unfortunately passed away with possibly another person that he was trying to warn to tell to turn around and head the opposite way as they were fleeing from the fire,” Johnson told ABC radio. | “One of my mates’ neighbours unfortunately passed away with possibly another person that he was trying to warn to tell to turn around and head the opposite way as they were fleeing from the fire,” Johnson told ABC radio. |
2.16am GMT | |
02:16 | |
Esperance fires: what we know | Esperance fires: what we know |
Time for a summary. | Time for a summary. |
Two big bushfires continue to rage near the Western Australian town of Esperance. The four affected communities – that’s Salmon Gums and Grass Patch, both north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance highway, and Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lake, to the east near Merivale – remain under emergency warnings. | Two big bushfires continue to rage near the Western Australian town of Esperance. The four affected communities – that’s Salmon Gums and Grass Patch, both north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance highway, and Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lake, to the east near Merivale – remain under emergency warnings. |
Four people – two men, and two women, in two separate vehicles – were this morning confirmed to have died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire overnight. One man was in one car; the other three adults were in another. | Four people – two men, and two women, in two separate vehicles – were this morning confirmed to have died in the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire overnight. One man was in one car; the other three adults were in another. |
Police have not commented on speculation that there have been other fatalities. | Police have not commented on speculation that there have been other fatalities. |
Three buildings have confirmed to have been destroyed. The Scaddan Primary School, previously reported to have been destroyed, is apparently undamaged. | Three buildings have confirmed to have been destroyed. The Scaddan Primary School, previously reported to have been destroyed, is apparently undamaged. |
The Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction, and is expected to swing to easterly when the wind changes. It’s still burning out of control. | The Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction, and is expected to swing to easterly when the wind changes. It’s still burning out of control. |
The Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire is behind containment lines but is not controlled. Firefighters there are expecting a north-westerly wind-change at 1pm. | The Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire is behind containment lines but is not controlled. Firefighters there are expecting a north-westerly wind-change at 1pm. |
1.50am GMT | |
01:50 | |
Calla Wahlquist | Calla Wahlquist |
There will be a community meeting at the Esperance Civic Centre at 11am WST. The civic centre has been set up as an evacuation point for both the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire and the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire. | There will be a community meeting at the Esperance Civic Centre at 11am WST. The civic centre has been set up as an evacuation point for both the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire and the Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire. |
All four communities – that’s Salmon Gums and Grass Patch, both north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance highway, and Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lake, both east of Esperance near Merivale - remain under emergency warnings. | All four communities – that’s Salmon Gums and Grass Patch, both north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance highway, and Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lake, both east of Esperance near Merivale - remain under emergency warnings. |
Aerial water bombers are understood to be in the area now. They were not able to be used on Tuesday because of smoke levels. | Aerial water bombers are understood to be in the area now. They were not able to be used on Tuesday because of smoke levels. |
According to the latest update from DFES, the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction, expected to swing to easterly when the wind changes. It’s still burning out of control. The Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire is behind containment lines but is not controlled. Firefighters there are expecting a north-westerly wind-change at 1pm. | According to the latest update from DFES, the Salmon Gums/Grass Patch fire is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction, expected to swing to easterly when the wind changes. It’s still burning out of control. The Stockyard Creek/Mullet Lake fire is behind containment lines but is not controlled. Firefighters there are expecting a north-westerly wind-change at 1pm. |
The difference between contained and controlled is basically a matter of fuel. The idea is to get a fire behind containment lines - made through a combination of bulldozers and backburning - and then kind of let it burn in on itself. | The difference between contained and controlled is basically a matter of fuel. The idea is to get a fire behind containment lines - made through a combination of bulldozers and backburning - and then kind of let it burn in on itself. |
1.32am GMT | |
01:32 | |
Colin Barnett, Western Australia premier, prepares to fly to Esperance | Colin Barnett, Western Australia premier, prepares to fly to Esperance |
WA Premier about to fly to Esperance. Just been briefed alongside Emergency Services Minister @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/wwOojZXf3Y | WA Premier about to fly to Esperance. Just been briefed alongside Emergency Services Minister @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/wwOojZXf3Y |
1.31am GMT | |
01:31 | |
Calla Wahlquist | Calla Wahlquist |
The Fire Danger Index (FDI) rating for areas near Esperance on Tuesday was 250, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Graham Reader, which is higher than reported FDI ratings at Kilmore, Victoria, on Black Saturday. | The Fire Danger Index (FDI) rating for areas near Esperance on Tuesday was 250, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Graham Reader, which is higher than reported FDI ratings at Kilmore, Victoria, on Black Saturday. |
Anything with an FDI of more than 100 is classed as ‘catastrophic’ fire danger, a category that did not exist until after the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009, in which 173 people died and more than 2000 homes were destroyed. | Anything with an FDI of more than 100 is classed as ‘catastrophic’ fire danger, a category that did not exist until after the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009, in which 173 people died and more than 2000 homes were destroyed. |
Conditions on Black Saturday broke the scale for dangerous bushfire weather - before then the highest level was ‘extreme’, classed as anything with an FDI of more than 50, with the top reading of 100 set based on the 1939 Black Friday fires in Victoria in which 71 people died. | Conditions on Black Saturday broke the scale for dangerous bushfire weather - before then the highest level was ‘extreme’, classed as anything with an FDI of more than 50, with the top reading of 100 set based on the 1939 Black Friday fires in Victoria in which 71 people died. |
As this climate report by Greenpeace explains, the FDI at Kilmore on Black Saturday was 189, so the scale had to be re-drawn. Other analysis of Black Saturday, prepared by the ACT emergency services agency, shows and FDI rating of 200+ for most of Victoria. | As this climate report by Greenpeace explains, the FDI at Kilmore on Black Saturday was 189, so the scale had to be re-drawn. Other analysis of Black Saturday, prepared by the ACT emergency services agency, shows and FDI rating of 200+ for most of Victoria. |
What does that mean for Esperance? Well, it means that conditions were really very bad indeed. Temperatures were in the low 40s, humidity was low, and winds of up to 100km/h helped the fire cover 100km in four hours. There is nothing firefighters, or anyone else, can do in those conditions except hopefully stay out of the fire path. | What does that mean for Esperance? Well, it means that conditions were really very bad indeed. Temperatures were in the low 40s, humidity was low, and winds of up to 100km/h helped the fire cover 100km in four hours. There is nothing firefighters, or anyone else, can do in those conditions except hopefully stay out of the fire path. |
But there is better news today - Reader said conditions were expected to be “relatively mild and relatively benign” in the Esperance region over the next couple of days, which may give firefighters a chance to contain the fire. | But there is better news today - Reader said conditions were expected to be “relatively mild and relatively benign” in the Esperance region over the next couple of days, which may give firefighters a chance to contain the fire. |
Wayne Gregson, the WA fire commissioner, however, has refused to give any assurances on that front. Firefighters would do their best, but “the fire is contained when it’s contained.” | Wayne Gregson, the WA fire commissioner, however, has refused to give any assurances on that front. Firefighters would do their best, but “the fire is contained when it’s contained.” |