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NSW and Queensland fires: fires rage as conditions expected to worsen – live NSW and Queensland fires: fires rage as conditions expected to worsen – live
(32 minutes later)
There are more than 70 fires burning across NSW and dozens in Queensland, where a state of emergency has been declared. Three people are dead and seven reported missing There are more than 70 fires burning across NSW and dozens in Queensland, where a state of emergency has been declared. Three people are dead and five reported missing
Meanwhile in Western Australia, it appears a bushfire in Gnangara has eased overnight, after homes were damaged and two people from a nearby retirement village were taken to hospital. Information on the latest conditions in WA can be found here.
David Littleproud, the minister for natural disaster and emergency management, is on the ABC announcing that disaster recovery payments of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children will be made available through Centrelink for people affected by the fires in Queensland and New South Wales from midday today.“We say to those people – please do not self-assess, make the call to Centrelink and they will be able to support you even if you lost everything. If you don’t have any identification, you don’t have any of your bankcards or anything, we’ll get you one,” he said.He said Centrelink would attempt to get buses up to the Gold Coast hinterland and Port Macquarie to support people in those areas.
When asked whether the fires were a wake-up call for the federal government to develop proper plans for resourcing to fight fires, Littleproud said the government had been prepared. “We have been ready for these fires – we predicted they would be earlier this year because of the research work that the state and federal governments have done together, putting aside politics,” he said.
“We’ll continue to work that way, to make sure our investments give us the best science, the best technology we need and then also equip our firefighters with the best tools. We’ve got the best firefighters in the world and our job as federal and state governments is to support them with the science and the tools to be able to fight fires and keep us all safe.”
NSW rural fire service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers told the ABC on Sunday morning that the focus for Sunday is on fires on the north coast of the state. He said the fires are likely to flare up again on Tuesday when conditions are worse, and will threaten properties again.He said areas in the North Coast where there are already fires will be the biggest concern with strong westerly winds and low humidity on Tuesday.NSW rural fire service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers told the ABC on Sunday morning that the focus for Sunday is on fires on the north coast of the state. He said the fires are likely to flare up again on Tuesday when conditions are worse, and will threaten properties again.He said areas in the North Coast where there are already fires will be the biggest concern with strong westerly winds and low humidity on Tuesday.
There aren’t any fires in the Sydney, Illawarra and Central West areas at the moment, but Rogers said on Tuesday those areas are a major concern. He said the RFS was looking at how best to deploy resources, as well as keep people in those areas informed to ensure they’re ready on Tuesday. He said there should be an update on the reported 5 missing people later this morning. There aren’t any fires in the Sydney, Illawarra and Central West areas at the moment, but Rogers said on Tuesday those areas are a major concern. He said the RFS was looking at how best to deploy resources, as well as keep people in those areas informed to ensure they’re ready on Tuesday. He said there should be an update on the reported five missing people later this morning.
Despite all the fires raging throughout the state, there is no total fire ban in New South Wales. The NSW rural fire service says it is using the slightly improved conditions today to strengthen containment lines before it gets worse in the next few days.Despite all the fires raging throughout the state, there is no total fire ban in New South Wales. The NSW rural fire service says it is using the slightly improved conditions today to strengthen containment lines before it gets worse in the next few days.
And in Queensland, there has been a state of emergency declared across half the state, with 42 local government areas affected by fires as of Sunday, from the Gold Coast up to Townsville. Around 5,000 homes have been evacuated and one home reportedly destroyed.And in Queensland, there has been a state of emergency declared across half the state, with 42 local government areas affected by fires as of Sunday, from the Gold Coast up to Townsville. Around 5,000 homes have been evacuated and one home reportedly destroyed.
You can see the affected areas and the declaration here.You can see the affected areas and the declaration here.
Good morning, we will continue to follow the ongoing fire crises in New South Wales and Queensland today. For those in fire-affected areas, please listen to your local emergency broadcaster, and follow instructions from fire crews and authorities. There are multiple warnings still current and the situation remains volatile. See online updates for New South Wales and Queensland.Good morning, we will continue to follow the ongoing fire crises in New South Wales and Queensland today. For those in fire-affected areas, please listen to your local emergency broadcaster, and follow instructions from fire crews and authorities. There are multiple warnings still current and the situation remains volatile. See online updates for New South Wales and Queensland.
There at 72 fires burning across New South Wales as of Sunday morning, 36 of which are out of control. Eleven fires remain at watch and act. There are 72 fires burning across New South Wales as of Sunday morning, 36 of which are out of control. Eleven fires remain at watch and act.
Conditions are expected to worsen over the next few days, including a “potentially dangerous day” on Tuesday, according to NSW rural fire service inspector Ben Shepherd.Conditions are expected to worsen over the next few days, including a “potentially dangerous day” on Tuesday, according to NSW rural fire service inspector Ben Shepherd.
Three people have been killed, with seven reported missing.Three people have been killed, with seven reported missing.
Wytaliba resident Vivian Chaplain, 69, has been confirmed as one of the victims, while an elderly man in Wytaliba is believed to be the second victim, and a body was found in a home in North TareeWytaliba resident Vivian Chaplain, 69, has been confirmed as one of the victims, while an elderly man in Wytaliba is believed to be the second victim, and a body was found in a home in North Taree
150 homes have been destroyed, with that tally expected to go up significantly as assessment teams go through the affected areas.150 homes have been destroyed, with that tally expected to go up significantly as assessment teams go through the affected areas.
Some fire stations have also been destroyedSome fire stations have also been destroyed
South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania are sending fire crews to NSW.South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania are sending fire crews to NSW.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and prime minister Scott Morrison will visit affected communities on Sunday.NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and prime minister Scott Morrison will visit affected communities on Sunday.
Around 2,000 people have evacuated to 15 evacuation centres set up. About 2,000 people have evacuated to 15 evacuation centres set up.