This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/nov/11/nsw-queensland-qld-bushfires-residents-catastrophic-conditions

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
NSW and Queensland fires: Barnaby Joyce blames the Greens for bushfires – live NSW and Queensland fires: Barnaby Joyce blames the Greens for bushfires – live
(32 minutes later)
More than 350 NSW schools to close as conditions forecast to worsen on Tuesday, while dozens of bushfires continue to burn across Australia’s east coastMore than 350 NSW schools to close as conditions forecast to worsen on Tuesday, while dozens of bushfires continue to burn across Australia’s east coast
Defence bases have been given orders to provide any an all assistance required to local firefighting forces.
Defence minister Linda Reynolds has asked the chief of the ADF, General Angus Campbell, “to give an order to local base commanders, making clear that they have the authority to use Defence resources to respond to any local contingencies”.
“Senior ADF officers and other commanders are empowered to provide emergency assistance in local emergency situations to save human life, prevent extensive loss of animal life, or widespread damage to property,” she said.
“While our ADF personnel are not trained firefighters, they can provide other support for the nation’s front line first responders.”
In South Australia the CFS has issued an emergency warning in the last hour for Duck Ponds, in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, where a fire is burning in an easterly direction towards Port Lincoln.
“The Western Approach Rd, Duck Ponds fire is uncontrolled,” it said.
“You are now in danger. Take shelter in a solid building. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave as the roads will not be safe.
Conditions are dangerous and firefighters are now unable to prevent the fire spreading. Shelter before the fire arrives as heat can kill you well before the flames reach you.”
The White Hut fire which was an emergency earlier this afternoon has now been contained, but the CFS warns “a fast moving wind change is still expected this afternoon which may cause the fire to spread rapidly in a north easterly or easterly direction toward the locality of White Hut, Hundred Line Road, and the Yorke Highway”.
An update on the Queensland situation:
There are 10 fires at advice level, and four watch and act fires: Cobraball, Townson, Clumber, and Thornton.
And in NSW:
There are 48 advice level fires burning across the state and 10 watch and act fires: Carral Creek, Carrai East, Coombes Gap complex, Hillville, Kian Road, Liberation Trail, Bril Bril, Mt Nardi national park, Newton Boyd, and Coombadjha.
Towns and communities west of the highway in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen region are being advised to get clear of their homes tomorrow.Towns and communities west of the highway in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen region are being advised to get clear of their homes tomorrow.
This is a community newsletter released earlier this afternoon advising resident they will face “extreme fire danger” on Tuesday, with smoke and embers from the significant fires nearby potentially affecting areas kilometres ahead of the fires, predicted to spread to Coffs Harbour and the northern beaches.This is a community newsletter released earlier this afternoon advising resident they will face “extreme fire danger” on Tuesday, with smoke and embers from the significant fires nearby potentially affecting areas kilometres ahead of the fires, predicted to spread to Coffs Harbour and the northern beaches.
It’s advised residents in areas west of the Pacific highway to self-relocate to a major urban area like Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Bellingen, Urunga, and Dorrigo, but warned that some places east of the highway are not safe enough to take refuge.It’s advised residents in areas west of the Pacific highway to self-relocate to a major urban area like Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Bellingen, Urunga, and Dorrigo, but warned that some places east of the highway are not safe enough to take refuge.
The warnings from authorities that people in areas of concern should leave for somewhere safer is not one to take lightly.The warnings from authorities that people in areas of concern should leave for somewhere safer is not one to take lightly.
Even the chief of the Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service is getting out.Even the chief of the Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service is getting out.
David Jones has urged residents to consider leaving their homes before late this afternoon, the Blue Mountains Gazette has reported.David Jones has urged residents to consider leaving their homes before late this afternoon, the Blue Mountains Gazette has reported.
“I really think leaving is the best option, we don’t want to lose lives,” he told the paper.“I really think leaving is the best option, we don’t want to lose lives,” he told the paper.
“I encourage people to go, I think it’s the best. My family are going, even though my house at Medlow Bath is well prepared.”“I encourage people to go, I think it’s the best. My family are going, even though my house at Medlow Bath is well prepared.”
Earlier, the mayor of the mid-north coast council, David West said the next few days “could be the most hazardous this community has ever had”.Earlier, the mayor of the mid-north coast council, David West said the next few days “could be the most hazardous this community has ever had”.
The north coast has been hardest hit so far by the fires that have been burning since Friday.The north coast has been hardest hit so far by the fires that have been burning since Friday.
But West told the ABC earlier his community was “very resilient”.But West told the ABC earlier his community was “very resilient”.
“They’re country people,” he said. “Not only were they supporting each other, the community is supporting them as well. Huge donations of clothing, huge donations of help, to such a degree they had to turn people away. That’s what makes regional New South Wales and regional Australia a very strong and vibrant community.“They’re country people,” he said. “Not only were they supporting each other, the community is supporting them as well. Huge donations of clothing, huge donations of help, to such a degree they had to turn people away. That’s what makes regional New South Wales and regional Australia a very strong and vibrant community.
“Council is doing all it can, we’re basically ceasing general operations of council and putting resources into supporting the community moving forward. The next three days could be the most hazardous this community has ever had.”“Council is doing all it can, we’re basically ceasing general operations of council and putting resources into supporting the community moving forward. The next three days could be the most hazardous this community has ever had.”
In the latest from the Nationals-Greens sniping over bushfires and climate and blame: Barnaby Joyce has told the Australian it’s “Greens policy” that has made the threat worse, by locking up dams and preventing enough hazard reduction burns, and – I kid you not – making trees fall over on forest roads.In the latest from the Nationals-Greens sniping over bushfires and climate and blame: Barnaby Joyce has told the Australian it’s “Greens policy” that has made the threat worse, by locking up dams and preventing enough hazard reduction burns, and – I kid you not – making trees fall over on forest roads.
“So many of the practicalities of fighting a fire and managing it have been stymied by the Greens,” Joyce has said.“So many of the practicalities of fighting a fire and managing it have been stymied by the Greens,” Joyce has said.
“A lot of people are talking once more about Indigenous land management because they didn’t have to go through 1,001 reports that they have to go through today.”“A lot of people are talking once more about Indigenous land management because they didn’t have to go through 1,001 reports that they have to go through today.”
He said there was nothing the parliament has done which brought about the devastation.He said there was nothing the parliament has done which brought about the devastation.
“The problems we have got have been created by the Greens,” he said.“The problems we have got have been created by the Greens,” he said.
“We haven’t had the capacity to easily access [hazard] reduction burns because of all of the paperwork that is part of green policy.“We haven’t had the capacity to easily access [hazard] reduction burns because of all of the paperwork that is part of green policy.
“We don’t have access to dams because they have been decommissioned on national parks because of green policy. We have trees that have fallen over vehicles and block roads, so people cannot either get access to fight a fire or to get away from fires. And we can’t knock over the trees because of Greens policy.”“We don’t have access to dams because they have been decommissioned on national parks because of green policy. We have trees that have fallen over vehicles and block roads, so people cannot either get access to fight a fire or to get away from fires. And we can’t knock over the trees because of Greens policy.”
It comes after Greens MP Adam Bandt said “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough” and the government had done “everything in their power” to make fires more likely, which deputy PM Michael McCormack labeled the “ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies”.It comes after Greens MP Adam Bandt said “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough” and the government had done “everything in their power” to make fires more likely, which deputy PM Michael McCormack labeled the “ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies”.
But professor and bushfire researcher Jim McLennan from La Trobe University has said other residents in more metropolitan areas, around the country, were not as ready as they should be.But professor and bushfire researcher Jim McLennan from La Trobe University has said other residents in more metropolitan areas, around the country, were not as ready as they should be.
“In the major capital cities, with population growth on the bushland fringes and more hot days with longer no-rain periods, there are city-dwellers who don’t appreciate they are now on the fringe of fire areas,” he told AAP.“In the major capital cities, with population growth on the bushland fringes and more hot days with longer no-rain periods, there are city-dwellers who don’t appreciate they are now on the fringe of fire areas,” he told AAP.
“In areas of greater population density, you are likely to get major problems with traffic, the possibility of accidents and tragedies.“In areas of greater population density, you are likely to get major problems with traffic, the possibility of accidents and tragedies.
“A lot of people are not bushfire-ready.”“A lot of people are not bushfire-ready.”
The Blue Mountains mayor, Mark Greenhill, says the region is “well seasoned” and prepared for tomorrow’s catastrophic conditions.The Blue Mountains mayor, Mark Greenhill, says the region is “well seasoned” and prepared for tomorrow’s catastrophic conditions.
The Blue Mountains experienced devastating blazes in 2013, losing over 200 homes.The Blue Mountains experienced devastating blazes in 2013, losing over 200 homes.
“I’ve been speaking to residents today who are quietly preparing,” he told AAP. “Our community quietly gets about doing what it needs to do.”“I’ve been speaking to residents today who are quietly preparing,” he told AAP. “Our community quietly gets about doing what it needs to do.”
The bushfire in South Australia on the Yorke Peninsula has been downgraded to watch and act.The bushfire in South Australia on the Yorke Peninsula has been downgraded to watch and act.
At 1.30 AEDT, fire authorities said it posed a threat to lives and property.At 1.30 AEDT, fire authorities said it posed a threat to lives and property.
But firefighters have now halted the fire’s advance and there have been no lives lost and damage to property.But firefighters have now halted the fire’s advance and there have been no lives lost and damage to property.
But, an approaching wind change could push the fire to the east.But, an approaching wind change could push the fire to the east.
The latest update from the Department of Education has declared even more schools – both public and non-government – are closed tomorrow.The latest update from the Department of Education has declared even more schools – both public and non-government – are closed tomorrow.
We already reported that hundreds of schools would be closed on Tuesday, after a major announcement around 2.30pm.We already reported that hundreds of schools would be closed on Tuesday, after a major announcement around 2.30pm.
But to recap, and consolidate the new schools, the ABC is reporting that 367 schools are now closed across NSW. These are all through the catastrophic fire danger areas of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Greater Hunter.But to recap, and consolidate the new schools, the ABC is reporting that 367 schools are now closed across NSW. These are all through the catastrophic fire danger areas of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Greater Hunter.
There are also numerous schools closed in metropolitan parts of Sydney near areas of bush.There are also numerous schools closed in metropolitan parts of Sydney near areas of bush.
The full list is here.The full list is here.
Also in Torrington, Richard Cork, another resident, returned home on Monday but said he noticed many of the animals he used to feed did not.
He told AAP only seven of the 21 king parrots that normally visit his yard arrived on Monday. And of the four kangaroos that turned up, only one did, and had clear burns on its feet.
More on the defence force’s help for the fire-fighting effort tomorrow.
The Royal Australian Air Force has flown firefighters in from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie. Singleton barracks in NSW is on stand-by to provide accommodation and catering to firefighters.
Queensland firefighters are using the Kokoda barracks in Canungra to refuel aircraft. And local base commanders across both states have the authority to use defence resources to respond to any local fires.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued its latest fire weather update for Tuesday.
“Hot, dry and gusty winds will generate very dangerous fire conditions across large parts of the state,” it says.
Much of this has already been communicated by RFS NSW, but in full:
Catastrophic fire danger is forecast for: Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney region and Illawarra/Shoalhaven.
Extreme fire danger forecast for: North Coast, Southern Ranges, Central Ranges, New England, Northern Slopes and North Western
Severe Fire Danger is forecast for the following fire areas:Far North Coast, Far South Coast and Monaro Alpine
Very High Fire Danger is forecast for the following fire areas:Upper Central West Plains, Lower Central West Plains and Southern Slope
In Torrington, NSW, near Glen Innes, resident Thomas Eveans has returned home to find “nothing recoverable”
“The shed, the caravan parked beside it, the motorbike is gone,” he told AAP. “There was an aluminium meltdown like you wouldn’t believe.”
Eveans evacuated on Friday in the face of a “five-pronged” fire front.
“The sound – it was like hearing a plane overhead coming into land,” he said.
“All the pastures are gone, we don’t have any water,” he added. “With the drought, the last thing we bloody needed was a fire.”
Storm Sparks and her young son, Zeke Bacon, told AAP they had heard some of their animals had survived.
In good news, the Marsden, Mount Tarampa and Park Ridge South fires have been downgraded from stay informed, and Queensland RFS are now not required on scene.
In Wytaliba, the NSW town where two people died in the fires on Friday, residents are still waiting to return home.
The town remains a crime scene after the fires, and roads have been closed for four days in a row.
Resident John Biles told AAP he had been going down to the roadblock every day.
“I manage a property down there with my brother,” he said. “Each night I find a motel in town, go to Vinnies and get another set of clothes, and then get back out here again in the morning.”
The Australian Defence Force and Commonwealth agencies will be available to help with this week’s bushfires, Mathias Cormann has announced.
In his role as special minister of state, he told the Senate the “full resources” of the defence force would be “available to assist where they can”.
“All commonwealth agencies have been activated and are prepared to assist the state [governments] and communities,” he said.
“We’re going to have to start talking about climate change and questioning some of what our leaders have been doing for the last 30 years,” says Brad Edge. “Maybe it’s time for a class action from fire-affected people across the state.”
Every morning since Saturday, Edge, from Congarinni near Macksville on the mid-north coast of NSW, has returned to his property unsure if his house will still be standing.
The 80-hectare bush property came under threat after two fires that had been burning for weeks at Kian Road and Fortescue Creek joined. Edge says the fires are unlike anything he’s seen on the property in his 12 years there.
“Our place was nowhere near the areas of concern but when they joined up they blew across the Taylors Arm river and came into the area behind our place. A number of little spot fires have just increased over the last 48 hours,” Edge told Guardian Australia on Sunday night.
“We evacuated two days ago. We’ve been going back each morning, making sure the fire pump is running, sprinklers are going. In the last night, the water-bombing helicopter spent about four hours at the back of our place.”
The fire flared up again on Sunday and fire crews were at the house trying to save it.
On Monday morning, Edge returned. The house was still standing and crews had installed containment lines across the property.
“Not so much to stop it if the big winds come, but they’re giving themselves points where they can try to fight it and bring the helicopters in,” he says.
He’s not sure what will happen on Tuesday, when conditions are forecast to worsen.
“At the moment it’s safe, but if the wind goes to the west there’s a chance it won’t be,” he says.
Edge, his wife and two young children have had to evacuate to multiple locations, depending on the direction of the fires. They were at his father-in-law’s home first, in a suburban estate, but had to move again on Sunday when it came under threat.
“It’s a place you’d never expect to be evacuated – it’s quite unbelievable,” he says. “I’ve got a wife and two young kids. It’s hard on everybody. My father-in-law, it’s hard on him too.”
On Monday, they moved back to his father-in-law’s place when conditions changed and they were advised to relocate from the home of friends they were staying with.
“We’ve got a number of friends who’ve lost their property. We’re not sure if ours will be there tomorrow,” Edge says. “But at the end of the day, everybody is OK. Everything else is replaceable.”