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NSW and Qld fires: six emergency warnings issued for out-of-control bushfires – live NSW and Qld fires: eight emergency warnings issued for out-of-control bushfires – 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
A fire at Carrai East, north-west of Port Macquarie, has burst containment lines and is spreading quickly. The NSW RFS has just issued an emergency warning for the fire, saying residents west of Kempsey are at risk and should not now leave their homes. They have been told to seek shelter as the fire front approaches. Let’s take a moment to recap the day, as NSW battles unprecedented fire danger. The main concern continues to be around bushfires on the mid north NSW coast, but we’re also seeing significant fire danger in Queensland and South Australia.
the NSW Rural Fire Service has issued eight emergency warnings for bushfires across the state, including for fires at Hillville Road (near Nabiac and Failford), Llangothlin (near Armidale), Thunderbolts Way (north of the Gloucester), Gulf Road (south-west of Tenterfield), and Hillville Road (south-west of Taree). Those emergency warnings were all issued
there are more than 50 fires burning in NSW, most of the uncontrolled. A total fire ban remains in place. Authorities in NSW are warning conditions will continue to worsen throughout the day with strengthening winds and higher temperatures.
fire danger is still rated as “catastrophic” in Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter and Illawarra/Shoalhaven regions.
Changing winds moving north up the NSW east coast this evening are expected to create significant danger, potentially switching the direction of the fire front and intensifying winds.
nine schools in north-west NSW and the Upper Hunter have been evacuated as a precaution. That’s on top of hundreds of schools and Tafes already closed by the state government.
a state of fire emergency has been declared across 42 local government areas in Queensland. The main concern is in south-east Queensland, and conditions are expected to worsen into the afternoon.
the bushfires have led to a significant worsening of air quality as smoke haze drifts across NSW and south-eastern Queensland.
Residents near Baryulgil are being warned to seek shelter as the Washpool state forest fire approaches. It is now too late to leave. The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued an emergency warning for the fire, the eighth such warning for fires across the state today.
A seventh emergency warning has just been issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service. This one is for the Liberation Trail fire, near Clarence Valley. The fire has breached containment lines. Authorities are advising residents in the areas of Nana Glen and Coramba that they should leave immediately towards Coffs Harbour.
Conditions are expected to worsen significantly this afternoon as a wind change moves through NSW. Meteorologists are expecting the change to bring southerly winds up the coast, reaching Wollongong between 5pm and 6pm, Sydney at 7pm, Newcastle between 8pm and 9pm, and Port Macquarie about midnight.
That change complicates the fires significantly. It not only changes the direction of the fire front, but intensifies winds. Stronger winds will carry embers well ahead of the fire front and spread fires with greater speed.
This is a time of particular fire danger.
Just a little more on those school evacuations in north-west NSW and the Upper Hunter. We’ve heard from the education minister, Sarah Mitchell, who said the number of schools now evacuated is nine. The schools were evacuated as a precautionary measure and on the advice of the Rural Fire Service, she said.
“Safety comes first – we need to take precaution and evacuate to get children out of there,” Mitchell told the ABC.
The schools evacuated were around Gloucester, Stratford and Stroud, north of Newcastle, and Moonbi and Bendemeer, north of Tamworth.
Eight of the schools were primary schools and one was a high school.
“This is unfolding as we speak so we’re just doing what we need to to get them into safe areas,” she said.
A fire at Carrai East, north-west of Port Macquarie, has burst containment lines and is spreading quickly. The NSW Rural Fire Service has just issued an emergency warning for the fire, saying residents west of Kempsey are at risk and should not now leave their homes. They have been told to seek shelter as the fire front approaches.
It is the sixth emergency warning to be issued by the NSW RFS today.It is the sixth emergency warning to be issued by the NSW RFS today.
A fifth emergency warning has been issued in NSW, this time for the Hillville Road Fire, which is spreading towards the towns of Nabiac and Faliford on the Mid North Coast. Residents are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.A fifth emergency warning has been issued in NSW, this time for the Hillville Road Fire, which is spreading towards the towns of Nabiac and Faliford on the Mid North Coast. Residents are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Bushfires have reportedly forced the evacuation of eight schools in NSW’s north-west and Upper Hunter regions.Bushfires have reportedly forced the evacuation of eight schools in NSW’s north-west and Upper Hunter regions.
The NSW education department had already announced more than 575 school closures.The NSW education department had already announced more than 575 school closures.
Here’s another view of that smoke haze, this time from satellite imagery. This is from the Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino.Here’s another view of that smoke haze, this time from satellite imagery. This is from the Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino.
We just mentioned the significant drops in air quality in NSW and south-east Queensland. This vision shows the thickness of the smoke haze drifting across parts of the east coast.We just mentioned the significant drops in air quality in NSW and south-east Queensland. This vision shows the thickness of the smoke haze drifting across parts of the east coast.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has separately advised residents near Mount Alphen and Double Top, Tarome, and Clumber and Moogerah to prepare to leave.Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has separately advised residents near Mount Alphen and Double Top, Tarome, and Clumber and Moogerah to prepare to leave.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has just issued an emergency warning for Whans Road, Llangothlin, north of Armidale and south of Glen Innes. A fire is now burning there and spreading quickly.The NSW Rural Fire Service has just issued an emergency warning for Whans Road, Llangothlin, north of Armidale and south of Glen Innes. A fire is now burning there and spreading quickly.
The RFS has advised anyone in the area of Llangothlin and its surrounds that it is now too late to leave. It has advised those in the area to seek shelter as the fire approaches.The RFS has advised anyone in the area of Llangothlin and its surrounds that it is now too late to leave. It has advised those in the area to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
This is the fourth emergency warning issued by the NSW RFS today.This is the fourth emergency warning issued by the NSW RFS today.
It’s Christopher Knaus here taking over our live coverage of the bushfire emergency from Naaman Zhou.It’s Christopher Knaus here taking over our live coverage of the bushfire emergency from Naaman Zhou.
The bushfires have caused significant deteriorations to air quality across NSW and south-east Queensland. Much of Sydney and the Hunter regions have been advised to “stay inside as much as possible” as winds push smoke from the devastating mid-north coast bushfires down the state’s east coast. A drop in air quality is also hitting the Illawarra region, south of Sydney.The bushfires have caused significant deteriorations to air quality across NSW and south-east Queensland. Much of Sydney and the Hunter regions have been advised to “stay inside as much as possible” as winds push smoke from the devastating mid-north coast bushfires down the state’s east coast. A drop in air quality is also hitting the Illawarra region, south of Sydney.
Residents in south-east Queensland are also being urged to limit their time outdoors due to air quality concerns.Residents in south-east Queensland are also being urged to limit their time outdoors due to air quality concerns.
My colleague Michael McGowan has filed a full report on air quality across NSW and Queensland here.My colleague Michael McGowan has filed a full report on air quality across NSW and Queensland here.
Earlier today, before the three emergency warnings and updates from the NSW Rural Fire Service, the Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce claimed that two people who died over the weekend were “most likely” Greens voters, as the political stoush over the fires continues.Earlier today, before the three emergency warnings and updates from the NSW Rural Fire Service, the Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce claimed that two people who died over the weekend were “most likely” Greens voters, as the political stoush over the fires continues.
The current deputy PM, Michael McCormack, had said yesterday that any link between climate change and the worsening bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point scoring”.The current deputy PM, Michael McCormack, had said yesterday that any link between climate change and the worsening bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point scoring”.
Joyce then said the Greens were to blame because their influence meant fire services had not conducted sufficient hazard reduction burns.Joyce then said the Greens were to blame because their influence meant fire services had not conducted sufficient hazard reduction burns.
He then told Sky News this morning: “I acknowledge that the two people who died were most likely people who voted for the Green party” but said he did not want to attack them or the Greens but focus on the policy mix.He then told Sky News this morning: “I acknowledge that the two people who died were most likely people who voted for the Green party” but said he did not want to attack them or the Greens but focus on the policy mix.
The full interview and transcript is here in our politics liveblog.The full interview and transcript is here in our politics liveblog.
Journalist Kieran Gilbert asks:Journalist Kieran Gilbert asks:
Joyce:Joyce:
Queensland’s acting fire commissioner says there are 55 fires still burning in the state, managed by more than 1,000 personnel.Queensland’s acting fire commissioner says there are 55 fires still burning in the state, managed by more than 1,000 personnel.
He says they have 40 aircraft either ready or in use, and he is “comfortable with where we are at today and how we are set in terms of our readiness”.He says they have 40 aircraft either ready or in use, and he is “comfortable with where we are at today and how we are set in terms of our readiness”.
“I’m very comfortable in terms of the work done. In saying that, with the severe conditions in the south-east this afternoon and into tonight, and tomorrow into central Queensland, those containment lines, where we’ve got them, will be tested.“I’m very comfortable in terms of the work done. In saying that, with the severe conditions in the south-east this afternoon and into tonight, and tomorrow into central Queensland, those containment lines, where we’ve got them, will be tested.
“[But] we have got resources ready for any new outbreaks.”“[But] we have got resources ready for any new outbreaks.”
Palaszczuk said air quality particle ratings were 10 times higher than usual today, stretching from Brisbane to Ipswich and the Gold Coast.Palaszczuk said air quality particle ratings were 10 times higher than usual today, stretching from Brisbane to Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
A meteorologist from the weather bureau adds there is no significant rainfall on the horizon for Queensland.A meteorologist from the weather bureau adds there is no significant rainfall on the horizon for Queensland.