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| Queensland and NSW bushfires: mass evacuations as fires threaten more homes – live updates | Queensland and NSW bushfires: mass evacuations as fires threaten more homes – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A representative from Queensland fire and emergency services says the work in the fighting the blaze will continue “fore days and weeks” because of the remoteness of some of the fires. | |
| Of the fire at Peregian he says it’s still “an active going fire”. | |
| “But we are confident with the aircraft and the number of resources that we have on that fire as we speak that the asset protection is well protected, but again we cannot afford to have people in that area yet go back to those areas,” the spokesman says. | |
| “We still have a lot of firefighting activity. It simply is not safe.” | |
| Richard Wardle from the Bureau of Meteorology speaking now. Says that “unfortunately” the long-term outlooks are for above average temperatures on Friday and Saturday with no significant rainfall predicted for the fire-affected areas. | |
| “We do have those very high fire dangers over much of Queensland today with that very dry air mass,” he says. | |
| “We will see those winds pick up during the course of today, but then ease later today and tend more south, south-easterly so at the moment we have quite a bit of smoke on coastal areas in south-east Queensland. | |
| “We will see that smoke move a little bit more inland as those winds swing around more south-easterly. We do expect those fire danger ratings to reduce tomorrow [and] Wednesday, over most of Queensland, as those winds decrease [but] as I said, we do expect those above average temperatures to return on Friday and Saturday, so we expect to see a return to the very high fire danger ratings on those days.” | |
| She says there are 80 fires burning throughout Queensland. | |
| “As I said before, it was nothing short of a miracle when you consider the ember storm that was engulfing those communities and how unpredictable and quickly that fire emerged late yesterday,” Trad says. | |
| Trad says there are 400 people still at emergency evacuation centres near Peregian. She says there’s no timeline on when they will be able to return to their homes. | |
| “Unfortunately we will not be able to provide advice to them to return back to their homes until proper safety assessments have been done on properties, as well as on transport routes to ensure we have a clear way through for firefighters, for emergency service vehicles, right throughout the day,” she says. | |
| She’s scolding some of the reporting which suggested as many as a dozen properties had been destroyed in the fire. | |
| “The single source of truth in relation to the unfolding bushfires throughout Queensland is the Queensland fire and emergency service and the Queensland Police. They are the ones on the ground, rolling up their sleeves, leading our state at a time when we are in unprecedented territory,” she says. | |
| “So, I do have to say that [when] we want to curtail panic in the community, it is the police and QFES who should be referred to as the single source of truth in relation to bushfires.” | |
| Queensland’s acting premier, Jackie Trad, is speaking now. She said last night’s “herculean efforts resulted in nothing short of a miracle”. | |
| “More than 300 firefighters worked from 4.30 yesterday afternoon all throughout the night and many of them are still there working to contain the fire at Peregian,” she says. | |
| As I mentioned earlier the Binna Burra Lodge, in the world-heritage-listed rainforest of Lamington national park, was destroyed by bushfire on the weekend. | |
| Writer Mary-Rose MacColl has reflected on the lodge’s history: | |
| “This is an obituary for quaint slab-wood cabins, a place that was burned down on the weekend in a fire devastating for the many thousands of people who have visited over the past 85 years.” | |
| An obituary for Binna Burra Lodge, which first moved me when I was a teenager | Mary-Rose MacColl | |
| A satellite map showing the spread of fires burning in the Lamington national park in Queensland. | 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 | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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 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. | “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/OUDpdIktV5 | 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/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. |