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NSW and Queensland fires: 'Tuesday will be a dangerous day' – live NSW and Queensland fires: 'Tuesday will be a dangerous day' – live
(32 minutes later)
There are more than 70 bushfires burning across NSW and dozens in Queensland, where a state of emergency has been declared. Three people are dead and 150 homes have been destroyedThere are more than 70 bushfires burning across NSW and dozens in Queensland, where a state of emergency has been declared. Three people are dead and 150 homes have been destroyed
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, and the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, are holding a press conference in Taree after being briefed by the Rural Fire Service.
Berejiklian said neighbours in the region have to rally around each other.
“What has really hit me today is even though some people know that their homes are OK, they are still extremely traumatised by what they have experienced, by what they have seen, what their neighbours are going through. So just because someone’s property is safe doesn’t mean they are OK and we are appealing to everybody to please watch out for your neighbours, please know that there is help available.”
Berejiklian said it had been humbling as premier to come to Taree and hear everyone’s stories.
Morrison agreed. “I have to tell you as a prime minister I am never more proud of Australians than in moments like these,” he said. “They just show incredible spirit, incredible heart, incredible generosity.”
Morrison also thanked the employers of the volunteer firefighters who wouldn’t be at work.
“They cannot come to work tomorrow or the day after or the day after that, then I would ask you to continue to support them in that and I thank you for the way you have supported them. They will have to be there running their businesses and they will be doing it a bit shorthanded.”They both warned, as we have heard today, that conditions in NSW are expected to be dire on Tuesday.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, and the minister for police and emergency services, Lisa Neville, are with Black Saturday survivors today launching a new advertising campaign aimed at getting Victorians to prepare for the coming bushfire season.
Victoria is currently experiencing cooler temperatures and some rain, but it is expected to be a hotter and drier summer.
“This campaign is all about reminding people that fire is very real, very real indeed, and whether it be radiant heat that can take your life from 300m away or ember attack that can come from 40km away, the need for a plan and the need to be aware of the circumstances, the need to take action is absolutely paramount,” Andrews said.
“Be prepared, take note of these ads, and really think about the plan,” Neville said.
Neville said the campaign was about making people think “how well do you know fire?”
Information about the campaign can be found here.
Some images from photographers out in the field over the past day.Some images from photographers out in the field over the past day.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the winds, in combination with the hot and dry conditions, mean the fire danger is very high across the entire east coast of Queensland, and much of the north of the state.The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the winds, in combination with the hot and dry conditions, mean the fire danger is very high across the entire east coast of Queensland, and much of the north of the state.
My colleague, Paul Karp, picked up this heckler while the prime minister was being briefed in Wauchope.My colleague, Paul Karp, picked up this heckler while the prime minister was being briefed in Wauchope.
Freelance reporter Christine Tondorf is speaking to bushfire evacuees in Taree, where the prime minister, Scott Morrison, is due to pay a visit.Freelance reporter Christine Tondorf is speaking to bushfire evacuees in Taree, where the prime minister, Scott Morrison, is due to pay a visit.
Leo Generaux from Tinonee, 20km south-west of Taree, doesn’t know if he has a house to return to. He has been evacuated twice in three days and has been told his neighbour’s house no longer stands, but has not been able to find out if his house is also burnt.Leo Generaux from Tinonee, 20km south-west of Taree, doesn’t know if he has a house to return to. He has been evacuated twice in three days and has been told his neighbour’s house no longer stands, but has not been able to find out if his house is also burnt.
Generaux, aged in his 70s, and his dog, April, are sitting at the entrance of Club Taree watching the pool of journalists gathered for the arrival of the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, due at 11.45am.Generaux, aged in his 70s, and his dog, April, are sitting at the entrance of Club Taree watching the pool of journalists gathered for the arrival of the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, due at 11.45am.
Generaux says he and his wife are now questioning whether they should be living on their rural acreage in the community of 300 people.Generaux says he and his wife are now questioning whether they should be living on their rural acreage in the community of 300 people.
“We were allowed to go in on Saturday and our neighbours, waiting at our door, told us their house had been burnt to the ground. We were in a state of shock,” Generaux says.“We were allowed to go in on Saturday and our neighbours, waiting at our door, told us their house had been burnt to the ground. We were in a state of shock,” Generaux says.
“We said you can stay with us, but they said ‘that’s no good the fire hasn’t finished yet’, and then in the afternoon we were evacuated again. Now there was a fire on the other side, the east side.“We said you can stay with us, but they said ‘that’s no good the fire hasn’t finished yet’, and then in the afternoon we were evacuated again. Now there was a fire on the other side, the east side.
“The smoke was billowing towards us and we got the phone call, ‘leave now’. I have no idea if my house is still there. We left in a hurry, only one road was open. That’s now closed. There is no way of telling what is going on at our property.”“The smoke was billowing towards us and we got the phone call, ‘leave now’. I have no idea if my house is still there. We left in a hurry, only one road was open. That’s now closed. There is no way of telling what is going on at our property.”
Generaux says he and his wife run a small mango hobby farm, but describes the fires as a “mind changer”.Generaux says he and his wife run a small mango hobby farm, but describes the fires as a “mind changer”.
“The whole idea of living in the country now is becoming a bigger risk than it’s ever been. Personally if we lose the house we will just sell up and move into a regional town so we don’t have to ever do this again.”“The whole idea of living in the country now is becoming a bigger risk than it’s ever been. Personally if we lose the house we will just sell up and move into a regional town so we don’t have to ever do this again.”
Generaux, who is originally from the US, has lived in his Tinonee home for 10 years and is optimistic he may get home today, but no one can tell him when the main Tinonee road will be open.Generaux, who is originally from the US, has lived in his Tinonee home for 10 years and is optimistic he may get home today, but no one can tell him when the main Tinonee road will be open.
“Climate change is not political. Climate change is a scientific fact,” the Glen Innes Severn mayor, Carol Sparks, said on ABC News. Her home was severely damaged in the fires.“Climate change is not political. Climate change is a scientific fact,” the Glen Innes Severn mayor, Carol Sparks, said on ABC News. Her home was severely damaged in the fires.
The identity of the third victim of the bushfires in New South Wales has been released – Julie Fletcher’s body was found in a burnt-out home in North Taree.Vivian Chaplain reportedly died defending her home in Wytaliba, while George Nole’s body was found in a burnt-out car in Glen Innes. The five people who were missing at the start of Sunday have since been located.The identity of the third victim of the bushfires in New South Wales has been released – Julie Fletcher’s body was found in a burnt-out home in North Taree.Vivian Chaplain reportedly died defending her home in Wytaliba, while George Nole’s body was found in a burnt-out car in Glen Innes. The five people who were missing at the start of Sunday have since been located.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, is holding a press conference.The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, is holding a press conference.
She says there are still 51 active fires across the state, and 382 vehicles and 1,200 firefighters out in the field.She says there are still 51 active fires across the state, and 382 vehicles and 1,200 firefighters out in the field.
There will still be poor conditions over the next week, she says, with Queensland expected to have its worst day on Wednesday.There will still be poor conditions over the next week, she says, with Queensland expected to have its worst day on Wednesday.
All schools in Queensland will be open tomorrow.All schools in Queensland will be open tomorrow.
She urged residents to listen to authorities.She urged residents to listen to authorities.
“Please, if you get an emergency warning, if you are told to leave, please do not hesitate. Do not hesitate at all,” she said.“Please, if you get an emergency warning, if you are told to leave, please do not hesitate. Do not hesitate at all,” she said.
The Queensland government will also be monitoring smoke haze throughout the south east of the state, as well as in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, she said.The Queensland government will also be monitoring smoke haze throughout the south east of the state, as well as in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, she said.
“I have been speaking to the chief health officer as well. If you do suffer from asthma, please stay indoors. Please make sure that you are monitoring your health.”“I have been speaking to the chief health officer as well. If you do suffer from asthma, please stay indoors. Please make sure that you are monitoring your health.”
There are no missing people in Queensland, and the only person injured is a young boy burnt yesterday.There are no missing people in Queensland, and the only person injured is a young boy burnt yesterday.
It is worth repeating that the NSW Rural Fire Service is warning Tuesday will be a very dangerous day.It is worth repeating that the NSW Rural Fire Service is warning Tuesday will be a very dangerous day.
“We are looking down the barrel of a busy few days and potentially a dangerous day come Tuesday,” the RFS inspector Ben Shepherd told Seven News on Sunday.“We are looking down the barrel of a busy few days and potentially a dangerous day come Tuesday,” the RFS inspector Ben Shepherd told Seven News on Sunday.
“We’re trying to get as many of these fires under control before the onset of that weather on Tuesday, but look we won’t have these fires under control by that stage, we’ll have to concentrate where it is burning close to residential areas.”“We’re trying to get as many of these fires under control before the onset of that weather on Tuesday, but look we won’t have these fires under control by that stage, we’ll have to concentrate where it is burning close to residential areas.”
Conditions have eased in NSW today but around half of the 72 fires across the state are still out of control. Hot and windy conditions from the west will travel east across Monday into Tuesday, and that is when it will be the hottest, with low humidity, making it extremely dangerous.Conditions have eased in NSW today but around half of the 72 fires across the state are still out of control. Hot and windy conditions from the west will travel east across Monday into Tuesday, and that is when it will be the hottest, with low humidity, making it extremely dangerous.
Shepherd said areas not currently affected by fires, including in the Sydney region as well as the Illawarra, could be in danger on Tuesday.Shepherd said areas not currently affected by fires, including in the Sydney region as well as the Illawarra, could be in danger on Tuesday.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, and NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, are in Wauchope this morning being briefed by the Rural Fire Service.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, and NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, are in Wauchope this morning being briefed by the Rural Fire Service.
The situation in Queensland, via AAP:
Massive bushfires that have destroyed houses, sheds and cars and forced thousands to flee their homes continue to burn in Queensland.
Fifty-five fires were burning in the state on Sunday morning, including the huge fire at Cooroibah, north of Noosa, where an emergency zone remains.
One house has been lost at Cooroibah on the Sunshine Coast along with three sheds, cars and wildlife.
Multiple homes were also reportedly lost over night north of Rockhampton when a fire tore through Cobraball and nearby Bungundarra.
Fire and emergency services can’t confirm that until assessment teams enter the area.
Thousands have people have been evacuated from the paths of the fires burning in Queensland.
Some estimates say up to 9,000 were evacuated from suburbs at the northern end of Noosa due to the Cooroibah fire.
Brian Williams, 61, says his shed and several cars on his block on Lake Cooroibah Road were destroyed on Friday.
He was out but his 18-year-old son, Beau, was studying at home and called his father.
“He said ‘hey dad, the fire is right on us’,” Mr Williams told the ABC.
“He couldn’t get the fire pump going, it was all panic.
“He said, ‘listen, I have to go’, and as he is going, trees were exploding around him and embers were flying over and kangaroos were running alongside him.”
A firefighter suffered a broken leg but no lives have been lost or other injuries reported.
The winds and hot and dry conditions that have stoked blazes are set to continue on Sunday, ease on Monday, and worsen on Tuesday, challenging crews and people battling to save their homes.
The emergency warnings for Cobraball and nearby Bungundarra have eased but people are warned to be on the alert because conditions could get worse.
They face an anxious wait to see if their homes are still standing because they can’t return until it is safe to do so.
Red Cross Queensland emergency services manager Colin Sivalingum said it was a traumatic time for people in evacuation centres.
“Most people just want to go back home to see what’s actually happening. That’s making them very anxious. That’s what they’re telling us,” he told the ABC.
A state of fire emergency was declared on Saturday in 42 local government areas, prohibiting all outdoor fires and activities such as welding that can spark fires.
People were also told to evacuate ahead of bushfires at Tarome in the Scenic Rim west of the Gold Coast and Thornton in the Lockyer Valley on Saturday but those warnings have been downgraded.
People have been warned not to return to their homes until it is safe to do so.
Authorities say swathes of bushland parched by drought have increased the risk of fires breaking out.
Almost 100,000 hectares and 19 homes have been destroyed in Queensland since the start of September, with 2,000 bushfires burning since then.
The NSW Rural Fire Service reports all those who were reported missing have been found.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning people not to get complacent despite the easing conditions today, given the worsening conditions in the next few days. Smoke haze is also a major issue in fire-affected areas.
You can get a sense of the amount of smoke from this graphic from the Bureau of Meteorology.
The opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, has told Insiders he offered to go to fire-affected areas when he spoke with the prime minister yesterday and would visit those areas if it was appropriate to do so.
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.”
The 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 on 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 would be 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 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.
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.
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.
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 Taree
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 destroyed
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.
About 2,000 people have evacuated to 15 evacuation centres set up.