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NSW and Qld fires: Sydney region wakes to 'catastrophic' bushfires danger – live NSW and Qld fires: Sydney region wakes to 'catastrophic' bushfires danger – live
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales residents prepare for catastrophic fire conditions across Greater Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra/Shoalhaven with strong winds and high temperatures forecast as dozens of bushfires continue to burn across both Queensland and NSWNew South Wales residents prepare for catastrophic fire conditions across Greater Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra/Shoalhaven with strong winds and high temperatures forecast as dozens of bushfires continue to burn across both Queensland and NSW
Yesterday, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said that drawing the link between climate change and bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point scoring”. From correspondent Christine Tondorf in Taree:
Bandt also responded, saying that former fire chiefs had warned the government that pollution and climate change would make bushfires worse. There are queues at petrol stations, schools are closed and Mid-Coast council has suspended non-essential services as fires continue to burn in the region.
“They have ignored some pretty clear warnings and attempts to meet from former fire chiefs,” he said. At the day’s start, there were no fires at emergency levels, but the Hillville Road fire, just south of Taree, is at a watch and act level. Tuesday’s forecast is 36C and the town is covered in a haze of smoke.
“This is about saving lives and Michael McCormack can call me whatever names he likes. The first duty of government should be to protect its people and do everything it can to minimise the risk of loss of life and Michael McCormack and Scott Morrison are failing at that. Many of the 100 evacuees sheltering at the local returned services club were able to check on their homes on Monday with the reopening of key roads, including the Pacific Highway.
Full audio here. Not all evacuees wanted to see their properties. Linda Ross, who lives at the Purfleet caravan park, has had word that her van is not damaged, but she is fearful of going home ahead of the catastrophic conditions.
Today’s Australian meanwhile, has taken aim at the Greens by repeating senior Nationals talking points, and referencing the supposed backburning issue. “I am now just so terribly, terribly tired, and if my van burns down, I’ll get another one.”
Also on the front page is the story ‘Even hippies of Nimbin blame greenies’. For people on farms and acreages, Monday was also the day for deciding – stay or go. Many wives, children and pets (dogs and horses) moved into town, while partners choose to stay and defend.
A woman from the Hillville area, who declined to be named, arrived at the Taree showground with her two horses. “My husband is still up at the house and is going to keep an eye on everything,” she said. “He will try to protect it, if the fire comes through. He’s just like a lot of other men there.”
More on air quality – a current reading for the state shows the reading for metropolitan Sydney is as high as 125 on the air quality index, which is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.
It’s 161 in Newcastle, which is unhealthy for all, and 174 in Armidale. Twenty-five is the World Health Organisation’s recommended safe level.
In Queensland, there are now 55 fires blazing this morning, but none at emergency level.
There’s a severe fire danger warning for the south-east coast – which includes Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts – and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt region.
Firefighters from interstate will arrive today, as well as 10 elite firefighters from New Zealand.
A reminder of what those conditions mean:
We are expecting 37C temperatures all across the state, with wind gusts of up to 70km/h.
The fire perimeter is roughly 1000km as of this morning
Embers can jump 20km to 30km in front of a fire front, starting spot fires
More than 1m hectares have already burnt this fire season so far, the equivalent of the last three seasons put together
We are still on track for today’s catastrophic forecast, as of 8.16am AEDT.
It may be calm in some parts of the state, but the weather is still set to make this one of the most dangerous days the state has seen, the RFS says.
Four updates from Queensland this morning. Four fires remain at prepare to leave: Tarome; Clumber and Moogerah (south of Boonah); Mount Alphen and Double Top; Rosevale (south west of Ipswich).
These Tarome, Clumber and Moogerah and Rosevale fires are “not directly impacting properties”, but Queensland RFS say this “could change quickly and those who haven’t already left, should be ready to leave”.
The Mount Alphen and Double Top fire is likely to have an impact on the Cunningham Highway.
Yesterday the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, said that drawing the link between climate change and bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point scoring”.
Adam Bandt responded, saying that former fire chiefs had warned the government that pollution and climate change would make bushfires worse.
“They have ignored some pretty clear warnings and attempts to meet from former fire chiefs,” he said. “This is about saving lives and Michael McCormack can call me whatever names he likes. The first duty of government should be to protect its people and do everything it can to minimise the risk of loss of life and Michael McCormack and Scott Morrison are failing at that.”
Find full audio here.
Today’s Australian, meanwhile, has taken aim at the Greens by repeating senior Nationals talking points, and referencing the supposed hazard reduction issue.
Also on the site’s front page is a story headlined “Even Nimbin hippies blame greenies”.
Only one person is quoted in the story actually blaming the Greens: Michael Balderstone, a “hemp candidate, deep environmentalist and leading figure in the Nimbin community”.Only one person is quoted in the story actually blaming the Greens: Michael Balderstone, a “hemp candidate, deep environmentalist and leading figure in the Nimbin community”.
Greens MP Adam Bandt has been on Radio National this morning, responding to claims from senior Nationals MPs that the Greens are to blame for the fires due to their opposition to backburning. The Greens MP, Adam Bandt, has been on Radio National this morning, responding to claims from senior Nationals MPs that the Greens are to blame for the fires owing to their opposition to hazard reduction burns.
Bandt rubbished the claims, saying this was a matter for the NSW government.Bandt rubbished the claims, saying this was a matter for the NSW government.
“Can I say to Barnabay Joyce, the Greens are not in power in the NSW government,” he told RN Breakfast. “Can I say to Barnaby Joyce, the Greens are not in power in the NSW government,” he told RN Breakfast.
“We support hazard reduction burns. That’s in our policy, available there in black and white. We support effective and sustainable backburning strategies guided by the fire authorities. We will listen to what the fire authorities say.”“We support hazard reduction burns. That’s in our policy, available there in black and white. We support effective and sustainable backburning strategies guided by the fire authorities. We will listen to what the fire authorities say.”
Air quality readings for Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Northern Tablelands and the Hunter range from “very poor” to “hazardous” this morning. Air quality readings for Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Northern Tablelands and the Hunter range from “very poor” to “hazardous” this morning.
In Sydney, there are particle readings between 150 and 199, with over 200 in the tablelands. Yesterday, NSW Health put out out an alert that people with asthma, emphysema and angina should be careful. In Sydney, there are particle readings between 150 and 199, with over 200 in the tablelands. Yesterday NSW Health put out out an alert that people with asthma, emphysema and angina should be careful.
People affected should avoid outdoor physical activity and stay indoors with the doors and windows shut. People affected should avoid outdoor physical activity and stay indoors, with doors and windows shut.
Haze is already hanging over Sydney this morning.Haze is already hanging over Sydney this morning.
Even more schools have closed since Monday evening, when the list was at more than than 575 closures. Even more schools have closed since yesterday evening, when the list was at more than than 575 closures.
As of 6:10am AEDT, there are now more than 600 schools closed. The full list can be found here. As of 6.10am AEDT, there are now more than 600 schools closed. The full list can be found here.
Welcome to our continuing coverage of the bushfire crisis across New South Wales and Queensland.Welcome to our continuing coverage of the bushfire crisis across New South Wales and Queensland.
Today, there are catastrophic fire danger conditions across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, the Greater Hunter and Greater Sydney. The catastrophic rating is equivalent to the conditions of Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009.Today, there are catastrophic fire danger conditions across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, the Greater Hunter and Greater Sydney. The catastrophic rating is equivalent to the conditions of Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009.
For those in fire-affected areas, please stay tuned to your local emergency broadcaster, have a bushfire plan in place, follow instructions from fire crews and avoid bushland areas.For those in fire-affected areas, please stay tuned to your local emergency broadcaster, have a bushfire plan in place, follow instructions from fire crews and avoid bushland areas.
Full alerts from the Rural Fire Service can be found here for NSW, and here for Queensland.Full alerts from the Rural Fire Service can be found here for NSW, and here for Queensland.
Those on the north coast should also note this map. “Fires will spread quickly,” the NSW RFS says.Those on the north coast should also note this map. “Fires will spread quickly,” the NSW RFS says.
And it’s important to remember that it is still extreme fire danger forecasts or the Central Ranges, North Western, North Coast, New England, Southern Ranges and Northern Slopes.And it’s important to remember that it is still extreme fire danger forecasts or the Central Ranges, North Western, North Coast, New England, Southern Ranges and Northern Slopes.
In Queensland, fire danger will increase to severe in the Darling Downs and Granite belt today.In Queensland, fire danger will increase to severe in the Darling Downs and Granite belt today.
As of 7am:As of 7am:
There are 54 fires already burning in NSW, 25 uncontained.There are 54 fires already burning in NSW, 25 uncontained.
There is a statewide total fire ban in effectThere is a statewide total fire ban in effect
More than 575 schools are closed and aged care homes are on high alertMore than 575 schools are closed and aged care homes are on high alert
Some regional coach and rail services are cancelledSome regional coach and rail services are cancelled
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has declared a state of emergency, lasting seven daysThe NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has declared a state of emergency, lasting seven days