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Mass evacuations as Queensland and NSW bushfires threaten more homes – live updates Queensland and NSW bushfires: mass evacuations as fires threaten more homes – live updates
(32 minutes later)
A satellite map showing the spread of fires burning in the Lamington national park in Queensland.
An updated map of Lamington fires, including last nights VIIRS data and remote sensed sentinel2 active fire regions on Sat & Sun. At the two times the Sentinel2 satellite was overhead 73 ha of forest was burning with 31ha in rainforest. Yellow areas are a concern #qldfires pic.twitter.com/F45cvMKmdC
That feared southerly change at Shark Creek near Yamba has arrived.
The southerly change has reached the Shark Creek bush fire near Yamba. Firefighters are working close to homes in Angourie and Wooloweyah. The change may push the fire closer to Yamba today. The Large Air Tanker was used extensive yesterday to protect homes in the area. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/VXncDoi8RX
At least nine homes have been lost in fires burning across NSW. According to the state’s Rural Fire Service there are more than 50 bush and grass fires burning along the coast between Newcastle and Byron Bay and inland as far as Bourke.
There are three major out-of-control fires due to continuing high winds – the fire north of Yamba, another near Armidale in the New England area and another at Drake near Tenterfield.
Almost 400 firefighters are on the ground across the state, which is expected to increase to nearly 800 throughout Tuesday. Some 20 blazes are yet to be contained.
The RFS has confirmed that nine properties have been destroyed by the fire at Drake and Tenterfield. Two car yards and a pistol club have also been destroyed and another six homes and 23 outbuildings have been damaged.
Strong southerly winds with expected gusts of up to 80km/h are expected in the Shark Creek area north of Yamba on Tuesday morning which could threaten homes in that area.
This map (below) is helpful if you’re struggling to get your head around where the main fires of concern are burning.
You can see the two major fire fronts burning in Queensland, but authorities also have concerns about fires burning in New South Wales – in particular a fire burning near the town of Yamba.
The fire has already burned more than 7750 hectares in the Yuraygir national park and Shark Creek in the Clarence Valley area south of Yamba.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is concerned about strengthening southerly winds that could push the fire towards Yamba and firefighters are working to protect homes that “came under direct threat on Monday”.
“The fire has burnt close to homes overnight, and properties may come under threat again today due to strong and gusty winds,” the RFS said in a statement.
Queensland deputy premier Jackie Trad is expected to give a news conference shortly to update us on the fire situation.Queensland deputy premier Jackie Trad is expected to give a news conference shortly to update us on the fire situation.
Reports last night that about 10 houses were destroyed in Peregian don’t appear to be correct in the (still hazy) light of day.Reports last night that about 10 houses were destroyed in Peregian don’t appear to be correct in the (still hazy) light of day.
At this stage, we know one house was destroyed and a handful of others damaged.At this stage, we know one house was destroyed and a handful of others damaged.
That’s particularly remarkable given some of the footage we’ve seen showing burning embers being blown into suburban areas by gusting winds.That’s particularly remarkable given some of the footage we’ve seen showing burning embers being blown into suburban areas by gusting winds.
A huge efforts by firefighters – about 115 crews in total – saved dozens of homes and businesses in the Peregian area overnight.A huge efforts by firefighters – about 115 crews in total – saved dozens of homes and businesses in the Peregian area overnight.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has spoken to reporters about the bushfires burning across the two states this morning. Queensland police have reported people trying to access exclusion zones around Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast, and Morrison urged people to pay heed to the warnings from authorities.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has spoken to reporters about the bushfires burning across the two states this morning. Queensland police have reported people trying to access exclusion zones around Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast, and Morrison urged people to pay heed to the warnings from authorities.
“My simple message to Australians is to listen carefully to the warnings that are there, to follow those instructions, to not put yourself, if at all possible, in a position of risk, and to provide support to one another, as Australians always do in these circumstances,” Morrison said.“My simple message to Australians is to listen carefully to the warnings that are there, to follow those instructions, to not put yourself, if at all possible, in a position of risk, and to provide support to one another, as Australians always do in these circumstances,” Morrison said.
“Once again, we’ve seen on display the great character and care of Australians when they’re fating these sorts of disasters. And I want to thank everybody, all the volunteers, who have been out there, all of those who have been out there providing assistance to people, working in the evacuation centres, or out there supporting the firefighters, and, indeed, the firefighters themselves.”“Once again, we’ve seen on display the great character and care of Australians when they’re fating these sorts of disasters. And I want to thank everybody, all the volunteers, who have been out there, all of those who have been out there providing assistance to people, working in the evacuation centres, or out there supporting the firefighters, and, indeed, the firefighters themselves.”
Some people are trying to gain access to the #Peregian exclusion zone via the beach. This is extremely dangerous. Please stay away as the emergency declaration is still in place. #bushfire pic.twitter.com/OUDpdIktV5Some people are trying to gain access to the #Peregian exclusion zone via the beach. This is extremely dangerous. Please stay away as the emergency declaration is still in place. #bushfire pic.twitter.com/OUDpdIktV5
A day after fire ripped through the historic Binna Burra Lodge in Queensland’s Lamington national park, guests and staff have had to make a treacherous evacuation from another nearby eco-resort.Authorities made the decision mid-afternoon on Monday to advise people to leave O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.The evacuation was abandoned late on Monday afternoon, after the fire shifted towards the Lamington National Park Road.A day after fire ripped through the historic Binna Burra Lodge in Queensland’s Lamington national park, guests and staff have had to make a treacherous evacuation from another nearby eco-resort.Authorities made the decision mid-afternoon on Monday to advise people to leave O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.The evacuation was abandoned late on Monday afternoon, after the fire shifted towards the Lamington National Park Road.
About 100 staff, guests and police officers who had been unable to leave spent about three hours at the resort waiting for news. Authorities coordinated their departure about 8pm.About 100 staff, guests and police officers who had been unable to leave spent about three hours at the resort waiting for news. Authorities coordinated their departure about 8pm.
The main concern had been predictions of erratic winds, which made the movement of the fire front unpredictable, in the early hours of this morning.The main concern had been predictions of erratic winds, which made the movement of the fire front unpredictable, in the early hours of this morning.
The fire in the national park is still burning out of control.The fire in the national park is still burning out of control.
The fire which destroyed two properties on the Sunshine Coast overnight continues to burn in a northerly direction on Tuesday.The fire which destroyed two properties on the Sunshine Coast overnight continues to burn in a northerly direction on Tuesday.
Fire authorities in Queensland have issued an evacuation warning for residents in the areas of Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze Estate, Marcus Beach and Weyba.Fire authorities in Queensland have issued an evacuation warning for residents in the areas of Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze Estate, Marcus Beach and Weyba.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive,” the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said on Tuesday morning.“Leaving immediately is the safest option, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive,” the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said on Tuesday morning.
“The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community. Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing. The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property.”“The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community. Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing. The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property.”
Good morning,Good morning,
Firefighters are battling more than 100 bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales.Firefighters are battling more than 100 bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales.
At least one property has been destroyed at Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast overnight and hundreds of people have been forced out of their homes and into evacuation centres.At least one property has been destroyed at Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast overnight and hundreds of people have been forced out of their homes and into evacuation centres.
There are about 70 fires still burning across Queensland. A fire in the Lamington national park on the Gold Coast hinterland which razed Binna Burra - an historic eco-tourism lodge built in the 1930s surrounded by subtropical Gondwana rainforest – continues to burn and high winds are concerning fire crews.There are about 70 fires still burning across Queensland. A fire in the Lamington national park on the Gold Coast hinterland which razed Binna Burra - an historic eco-tourism lodge built in the 1930s surrounded by subtropical Gondwana rainforest – continues to burn and high winds are concerning fire crews.
In NSW, there are some 58 fires burning, mostly in the state’s north towards the Queensland border.In NSW, there are some 58 fires burning, mostly in the state’s north towards the Queensland border.
Fire has already burned more than 7,750 hectares in the Yuraygir national park and Shark Creek in the Clarence Valley south of Yamba on the coast, where fire crews are trying to protect homes amid fears that a southerly change could push one of them towards Yamba.Fire has already burned more than 7,750 hectares in the Yuraygir national park and Shark Creek in the Clarence Valley south of Yamba on the coast, where fire crews are trying to protect homes amid fears that a southerly change could push one of them towards Yamba.
We’ll keep you updated on conditions on the ground throughout the day.We’ll keep you updated on conditions on the ground throughout the day.