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300 new fires across New South Wales on Tuesday and a dozen homes damaged – as it happened 300 new blazes across New South Wales on Tuesday and a dozen homes damaged – as it happened
(about 7 hours later)
Rural Fire Service a firefighter has been injured as New South Wales faces catastrophic fire conditionsRural Fire Service a firefighter has been injured as New South Wales faces catastrophic fire conditions
I’m about to log off for the evening, but if conditions worsen in the next few hours we will pick up the live blog again.I’m about to log off for the evening, but if conditions worsen in the next few hours we will pick up the live blog again.
Here’s the latest as of 10pm AEDT:Here’s the latest as of 10pm AEDT:
There have been over 300 new fires across New South Wales on Tuesday. Currently there are over 70 fires and half of those are out of control. There are nine fires at emergency alert level. They are:There have been over 300 new fires across New South Wales on Tuesday. Currently there are over 70 fires and half of those are out of control. There are nine fires at emergency alert level. They are:
Liberation Trail fire in Clarence ValleyLiberation Trail fire in Clarence Valley
Myall Creek Rd, Bora RidgeMyall Creek Rd, Bora Ridge
Stockyard East, near Port MacquarieStockyard East, near Port Macquarie
Washpool State ForestWashpool State Forest
Gospers Mountain, in the Lithgow LGAGospers Mountain, in the Lithgow LGA
Hillville Rd, Hillville on the mid-north coastHillville Rd, Hillville on the mid-north coast
Reserve Rd, Mares Run on the mid-north coastReserve Rd, Mares Run on the mid-north coast
Rumba Dump, mid-coastRumba Dump, mid-coast
Thunderbolts Way, Bretti, mid-coast.Thunderbolts Way, Bretti, mid-coast.
Eight fires are at watch and act level.Eight fires are at watch and act level.
A southerly change has led to a drop in the temperature in Sydney, but the Rural Fire Service fears that as the southerly travels north to more fire-affected areas, it could cause more headaches for firefighters trying to get the fires there under control. The cooler temperature hasn’t made it any less dry.A southerly change has led to a drop in the temperature in Sydney, but the Rural Fire Service fears that as the southerly travels north to more fire-affected areas, it could cause more headaches for firefighters trying to get the fires there under control. The cooler temperature hasn’t made it any less dry.
At least a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed, and some firefighters have been injured, but none of the injuries have been life-threatening.At least a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed, and some firefighters have been injured, but none of the injuries have been life-threatening.
In Queensland, there are over 60 active fires, and conditions are expected to worsen on Wednesday with strong winds and temperatures in the mid-30s. The focus for fire fighters in the state has been on preparing for tomorrow.In Queensland, there are over 60 active fires, and conditions are expected to worsen on Wednesday with strong winds and temperatures in the mid-30s. The focus for fire fighters in the state has been on preparing for tomorrow.
Thank you for following the updates during the day, and please stay safe if you are in the affected areas.You can find up-to-date information on the NSW fires here, and the Queensland fires here.If you wish to donate to support those affected, you can find information on that here.Thank you for following the updates during the day, and please stay safe if you are in the affected areas.You can find up-to-date information on the NSW fires here, and the Queensland fires here.If you wish to donate to support those affected, you can find information on that here.
The auditorium of the Tuncurry Bowling Club is filling up with air mattresses.The auditorium of the Tuncurry Bowling Club is filling up with air mattresses.
“Kmart sent them down, we just got a whole other load of them,” Lauren Whitty told me earlier.“Kmart sent them down, we just got a whole other load of them,” Lauren Whitty told me earlier.
“I think we’ve got plenty, but they’ve told us to expect more people later. I don’t know, to be honest I don’t know what most of these people have been through. We’re just trying to make them comfortable.“I think we’ve got plenty, but they’ve told us to expect more people later. I don’t know, to be honest I don’t know what most of these people have been through. We’re just trying to make them comfortable.
At the moment, there’s about 80 people from around the southern end of the mid-north coast who have found their way here tonight.At the moment, there’s about 80 people from around the southern end of the mid-north coast who have found their way here tonight.
John and Lucy Van Hoof live in a caravan park on the outskirts of Tuncurry. They were told to leave at about 4pm this afternoon.John and Lucy Van Hoof live in a caravan park on the outskirts of Tuncurry. They were told to leave at about 4pm this afternoon.
“There was smoke everywhere, we could see it all coming up over the hill,” Lucy told me.“There was smoke everywhere, we could see it all coming up over the hill,” Lucy told me.
“We’ve been here 23 years and I’ve never seen anything like it, when they told us to leave I thought ‘I’d rather leave now than wait’.”“We’ve been here 23 years and I’ve never seen anything like it, when they told us to leave I thought ‘I’d rather leave now than wait’.”
Whitty, together with a group of friends, helped organise the evacuation centre at the club through a Facebook page.Whitty, together with a group of friends, helped organise the evacuation centre at the club through a Facebook page.
“We just put out a call for help and we’ve had people from Sydney, Newcastle and some of the locals wanting to donate things. For a while we were like, ‘oh, we don’t know where to send everything’,” she said.“We just put out a call for help and we’ve had people from Sydney, Newcastle and some of the locals wanting to donate things. For a while we were like, ‘oh, we don’t know where to send everything’,” she said.
As we sit here more people are filing in, most of them elderly. An RFS organiser told us they’re expecting more to come after 10pm, once the wind picks up.As we sit here more people are filing in, most of them elderly. An RFS organiser told us they’re expecting more to come after 10pm, once the wind picks up.
I take that back, the latest update has moved it back up to nine emergency alert level fires:I take that back, the latest update has moved it back up to nine emergency alert level fires:
Liberation Trail fire in Clarence ValleyLiberation Trail fire in Clarence Valley
Myall Creek Rd, Bora RidgeMyall Creek Rd, Bora Ridge
Stockyard East, near Port MacquarieStockyard East, near Port Macquarie
Washpool State ForestWashpool State Forest
Gospers MountainGospers Mountain
HillvilleHillville
Mares RunMares Run
Rumba DumpRumba Dump
Thunderbolts Way, Bretti.Thunderbolts Way, Bretti.
In the latest update from the RFS, they’ve downgraded six of the fires, meaning there are now four emergency alert level fires.In the latest update from the RFS, they’ve downgraded six of the fires, meaning there are now four emergency alert level fires.
Those are:Those are:
Liberation Trail fire in Clarence ValleyLiberation Trail fire in Clarence Valley
Myall Creek Rd, Bora RidgeMyall Creek Rd, Bora Ridge
Stockyard East, near Port MacquarieStockyard East, near Port Macquarie
Washpool State Forest.Washpool State Forest.
There are still more than 70 fires burning across the state, and half of those are out of control.There are still more than 70 fires burning across the state, and half of those are out of control.
There’s still concern about the southerly travelling north and what impact it could have on the fires.There’s still concern about the southerly travelling north and what impact it could have on the fires.
A cool change has hit Sydney thanks to the arrival of the southerly, with the temperature dropping 11 degrees in 11 minutes.A cool change has hit Sydney thanks to the arrival of the southerly, with the temperature dropping 11 degrees in 11 minutes.
The southerly should also help clear some of the smoke, according to Bom.The southerly should also help clear some of the smoke, according to Bom.
Fitzsimmons says there are still 11 fires burning at emergency warning level.Fitzsimmons says there are still 11 fires burning at emergency warning level.
He said the Liberation Trail fire north west of Coffs Harbour was 150,000 hectares in size now, and getting close to the communities of Nana Glen and Koramba.He said the Liberation Trail fire north west of Coffs Harbour was 150,000 hectares in size now, and getting close to the communities of Nana Glen and Koramba.
The Carrai East fire is 77,000 hectares and burning to the west of Kempsey.The Carrai East fire is 77,000 hectares and burning to the west of Kempsey.
The Gospers Mountain fire is now 35,000 hectares.The Gospers Mountain fire is now 35,000 hectares.
Fitzsimmons said it was going to be a long way to go before NSW RFS was satisfied with the state of the fires.Fitzsimmons said it was going to be a long way to go before NSW RFS was satisfied with the state of the fires.
“They’re consuming an area of more than a million hectares. A fire of 100,000 hectares typically has a perimeter of around 1,000km. The enormity of the task to bring these fires properly under control, to consolidate them, to get around them and mop them up is enormous.”“They’re consuming an area of more than a million hectares. A fire of 100,000 hectares typically has a perimeter of around 1,000km. The enormity of the task to bring these fires properly under control, to consolidate them, to get around them and mop them up is enormous.”
Part of the issue is the southerly change won’t hit some of the fires until around midnight, AEDT. He said fire had spread late at night or early in the morning in the past, when conditions should have been easing.Part of the issue is the southerly change won’t hit some of the fires until around midnight, AEDT. He said fire had spread late at night or early in the morning in the past, when conditions should have been easing.
Fitzsimmons said none of the injuries sustained by firefighters so far were life-threatening.Fitzsimmons said none of the injuries sustained by firefighters so far were life-threatening.
This is the latest from the 8pm NSW RFS briefing from RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.This is the latest from the 8pm NSW RFS briefing from RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
He says there were 300 new fires across New South Wales today. It’s estimated that up to a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed today, but there could be more with fires still going.He says there were 300 new fires across New South Wales today. It’s estimated that up to a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed today, but there could be more with fires still going.
The southerly change was also still moving up the coast.The southerly change was also still moving up the coast.
“All these fires that we have got north of Sydney up the north coast are still subject to the influence of this strong southerly change that’s moving across the fire ground which will impact and influence fire behaviour, create the volatile and potentially dangerous circumstances and shift the fire in a different direction than what it’s been doing for most of today,” he said.“All these fires that we have got north of Sydney up the north coast are still subject to the influence of this strong southerly change that’s moving across the fire ground which will impact and influence fire behaviour, create the volatile and potentially dangerous circumstances and shift the fire in a different direction than what it’s been doing for most of today,” he said.
In the tiny village of Bungwahl, just south of Forster on the MyallLake, Joseph Schuelein was filling up water for his gutters.The road through the town is thick with smoke from the dozens of fires lining the mid-north coast, but Schuelein said he had no intention of leaving.“Yeah, the bloke from the local fire brigade did come down and say we should think about moving, but where are we gonna go?” he told me earlier.“Our place is pretty well protected and we’ve got dad’s boat on the lake if things got really bad.”In the tiny village of Bungwahl, just south of Forster on the MyallLake, Joseph Schuelein was filling up water for his gutters.The road through the town is thick with smoke from the dozens of fires lining the mid-north coast, but Schuelein said he had no intention of leaving.“Yeah, the bloke from the local fire brigade did come down and say we should think about moving, but where are we gonna go?” he told me earlier.“Our place is pretty well protected and we’ve got dad’s boat on the lake if things got really bad.”
A little earlier, down on the Pacific Highway, a line of trucks snaked back for a few hundred metres. The highway is closed at the town of Bulahdelah, and the Rural Fire Service is only letting residents up the Lakes Way. In any case, most of the trucks are too large to handle the winding curves of the only other road up to Forster, the Lakes Way.A little earlier, down on the Pacific Highway, a line of trucks snaked back for a few hundred metres. The highway is closed at the town of Bulahdelah, and the Rural Fire Service is only letting residents up the Lakes Way. In any case, most of the trucks are too large to handle the winding curves of the only other road up to Forster, the Lakes Way.
Frustrated truck drivers congregated around a service station and said things I probably can’t print here. A woman and her husband, from Wagga Wagga, were hanging out in their camper van. They’d been headed for a holiday in Port Macquarie, but couldn’t get any further.Frustrated truck drivers congregated around a service station and said things I probably can’t print here. A woman and her husband, from Wagga Wagga, were hanging out in their camper van. They’d been headed for a holiday in Port Macquarie, but couldn’t get any further.
“We’re probably just going to cook dinner and go to bed,” she said.“We’re probably just going to cook dinner and go to bed,” she said.
Greg Christensen, the mayor of Scenic Rim in Queensland was on ABC’s 7.30 program. He said residents were used to fires, but not anything like those over the past few days.Greg Christensen, the mayor of Scenic Rim in Queensland was on ABC’s 7.30 program. He said residents were used to fires, but not anything like those over the past few days.
“Not on this level of volatility. The speed of running - the level of the burn - I’ve seen fire burning across open ground as though it was a kerosene pool.“Not on this level of volatility. The speed of running - the level of the burn - I’ve seen fire burning across open ground as though it was a kerosene pool.
“That is the type of fire we are experiencing. This is something that is unprecedented in my lifetime of involvement here and, certainly, from the memories I have from my father’s storytelling as well.”“That is the type of fire we are experiencing. This is something that is unprecedented in my lifetime of involvement here and, certainly, from the memories I have from my father’s storytelling as well.”
Chemical fire retardant was dropped on to the Sydney suburb of Turramurra, casting a pink hue over streets and houses.Chemical fire retardant was dropped on to the Sydney suburb of Turramurra, casting a pink hue over streets and houses.
Residents in Upper Lansdowne, Elands, Bobin, Marlee and areas NW of Wingham are being told to seek shelter because the Rumba dump fire has breached containment lines.Residents in Upper Lansdowne, Elands, Bobin, Marlee and areas NW of Wingham are being told to seek shelter because the Rumba dump fire has breached containment lines.
An update from the small rural community of Elands in northern NSW where there has been an emergency warning from the Rumba Dump fire. Nearby Bobin was devastated by bushfires over the weekend.An update from the small rural community of Elands in northern NSW where there has been an emergency warning from the Rumba Dump fire. Nearby Bobin was devastated by bushfires over the weekend.
Most residents of Elands were evacuated from their homes on Monday night but a few chose to stay and defend and have congregated at the one point in town where they can get phone reception.Most residents of Elands were evacuated from their homes on Monday night but a few chose to stay and defend and have congregated at the one point in town where they can get phone reception.
Susie Russell is one those residents. She said extreme winds that had been forecast had so far not eventuated.Susie Russell is one those residents. She said extreme winds that had been forecast had so far not eventuated.
“The local fire captain was here just now. He was hopeful the village will be able to be protected,” she said.“The local fire captain was here just now. He was hopeful the village will be able to be protected,” she said.
“It will depend what the southerly wind does that’s forecast for 2 o’clock in the morning.“It will depend what the southerly wind does that’s forecast for 2 o’clock in the morning.
“I know there’s been people very concerned about what is happening, but for those of us who are here we are calm and trying to make sure everything is alright.”“I know there’s been people very concerned about what is happening, but for those of us who are here we are calm and trying to make sure everything is alright.”
Jarra Hicks is also from Elands and is one of the residents who chose to leave after the village was door-knocked last night. She is 16 weeks pregnant and left behind her husband, father-in-law and a house they had just finished renovating to go to Newcastle where she has friends.Jarra Hicks is also from Elands and is one of the residents who chose to leave after the village was door-knocked last night. She is 16 weeks pregnant and left behind her husband, father-in-law and a house they had just finished renovating to go to Newcastle where she has friends.
Communication in and out of Elands has been challenging for days because power and the mobile phone tower has been down since the Bobin fires hit on Friday.Communication in and out of Elands has been challenging for days because power and the mobile phone tower has been down since the Bobin fires hit on Friday.
“Most people were able to leave the village. The fire has now hit and unfortunately it’s hitting on three sides at once,” Hicks said.“Most people were able to leave the village. The fire has now hit and unfortunately it’s hitting on three sides at once,” Hicks said.
“We just have one very small volunteer fire brigade fighting the fires.”“We just have one very small volunteer fire brigade fighting the fires.”
She said other community members had gone to Wingham, but they were now heading for Taree because Wingham had been evacuated now as well.She said other community members had gone to Wingham, but they were now heading for Taree because Wingham had been evacuated now as well.
“It’s a game of hopscotch to wherever the fires are not,” she says.“It’s a game of hopscotch to wherever the fires are not,” she says.
“We’ve had very limited ability to communicate and because the resources of the RFS have been so stretched, we’ve had very little information at all.“We’ve had very limited ability to communicate and because the resources of the RFS have been so stretched, we’ve had very little information at all.
“It’s highly uncertain. I expect if our home survives we will be extremely lucky because we’re a small community. There’s around 200-300 people. There’s only one volunteer fire brigade of six people.”“It’s highly uncertain. I expect if our home survives we will be extremely lucky because we’re a small community. There’s around 200-300 people. There’s only one volunteer fire brigade of six people.”
There’s a lot of smoke over Sydney right now.There’s a lot of smoke over Sydney right now.
Cynthia Lush was home alone in her house across the street from the South Turrumurra bushfire.Cynthia Lush was home alone in her house across the street from the South Turrumurra bushfire.
“We got a phone call about half an hour [after it started], on the home phones. It was way into the half an hour. I could hear the sirens, that’s what alerted me, then I popped my heard out and they said no get inside.”“We got a phone call about half an hour [after it started], on the home phones. It was way into the half an hour. I could hear the sirens, that’s what alerted me, then I popped my heard out and they said no get inside.”
Brian Wilson wasn’t remotely worried. The Guardian found him sitting in an outdoor chair in front of his garage, looking across the road where his neighbours’ houses were drenched in bright pink fire retardant.Brian Wilson wasn’t remotely worried. The Guardian found him sitting in an outdoor chair in front of his garage, looking across the road where his neighbours’ houses were drenched in bright pink fire retardant.
“We’ve had a couple, but everybody wants to run around. I’m quite happy to just sit here and watch them do it,” he said.“We’ve had a couple, but everybody wants to run around. I’m quite happy to just sit here and watch them do it,” he said.
“I’m on the wrong side of the hill, it blows the embers over us. Everybody panics, there’s no point.”“I’m on the wrong side of the hill, it blows the embers over us. Everybody panics, there’s no point.”
It’s a pretty surreal scene at the South Turramurra fire, where a suspiciously-lit, fast-moving bushfire came perilously close to properties in the affluent Sydney suburb.It’s a pretty surreal scene at the South Turramurra fire, where a suspiciously-lit, fast-moving bushfire came perilously close to properties in the affluent Sydney suburb.
Helicopters have hit the fire - and some nearby mansions - with a pink retardant, coating roofs, gardens, and bitumen in a thick layer of pink.Helicopters have hit the fire - and some nearby mansions - with a pink retardant, coating roofs, gardens, and bitumen in a thick layer of pink.
Multiple fires began mid-afternoon in bushland around Turramurra, including at Canoon Road and Field of Mars Avenue, where flames came within metres of homes.Multiple fires began mid-afternoon in bushland around Turramurra, including at Canoon Road and Field of Mars Avenue, where flames came within metres of homes.
Residents reported towering flames and embers dropping well ahead of the fire front, starting their own fires in the dried out bushland. Geoff Bird lives on Canoon Road, near where one of the fires ripped through bushland on Tuesday afternoon.Residents reported towering flames and embers dropping well ahead of the fire front, starting their own fires in the dried out bushland. Geoff Bird lives on Canoon Road, near where one of the fires ripped through bushland on Tuesday afternoon.
His children’s school had been closed in anticipation of fires like this, and he was well prepared.His children’s school had been closed in anticipation of fires like this, and he was well prepared.
When Bird saw the fire closest to his house, he immediately packed up, got his wife and kids out, and stayed to monitor the situation.When Bird saw the fire closest to his house, he immediately packed up, got his wife and kids out, and stayed to monitor the situation.
“I was in my backyard and saw the first plume of smoke and all the firies coming down the road. So I knew something had happened,” he told the Guardian.“I was in my backyard and saw the first plume of smoke and all the firies coming down the road. So I knew something had happened,” he told the Guardian.
“Within half an hour of that I was inside watching the news, keeping an eye on things, and then could smell the smoke and came out to see where it is.“Within half an hour of that I was inside watching the news, keeping an eye on things, and then could smell the smoke and came out to see where it is.
“From there it was a matter of packing up valuable things, we activated our fire plan, so we were ready to go, evacuated my wife and children, and then I stayed and kept a close eye on things.”“From there it was a matter of packing up valuable things, we activated our fire plan, so we were ready to go, evacuated my wife and children, and then I stayed and kept a close eye on things.”
Police were on scene quickly and have confirmed they are now treating the fire as suspicious.Police were on scene quickly and have confirmed they are now treating the fire as suspicious.
“We’ve got to get on top of this shit,” an angry Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce told Karl Stefanovic on 2GB regarding the supposed “red tape” around land clearing, that he has blamed on the Greens.“We’ve got to get on top of this shit,” an angry Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce told Karl Stefanovic on 2GB regarding the supposed “red tape” around land clearing, that he has blamed on the Greens.
These claims are, as we reported today, “without foundation” according to experts.These claims are, as we reported today, “without foundation” according to experts.
Also it bears repeating, his party has been in government in NSW since 2011, and federally since 2013.Also it bears repeating, his party has been in government in NSW since 2011, and federally since 2013.
Here comes the southerly.Here comes the southerly.