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NSW and Qld fires: Sydney region faces 'catastrophic' bushfires danger – live NSW and Qld fires: Sydney region faces '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
The NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell has confirmed that some schools were damaged by fires yesterday, speaking to Sky News today.
She said that, in the catastrophic fire danger areas, “all schools that might be close to bushland, close to nature reserves, they are automatically shut”.
“Areas where there is high risk, we would much rather keep students out of harm’s way...we want to take that cautious approach”.
The commissioner of the RFS, Shane Fitzsimmons, will be giving regular updates today – on average every two hours, but more frequently during peak times.
We brought you the 9am update live, when he said no new fires had started in catastrophic areas. The next one is in 15 minutes.
The updates are scheduled for: 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5.30pm, 8pm – all AEDT.
Vision from Port Macquarie.
Here’s a new prediction map for the north coast. There is some significant spreading predicted around Port Macquarie, compared with last night’s expectations.
A printable pdf version here.
The latest weather observations from the Bureau of Meteorology in some of the catastrophic areas:
Merriwa and Maitland airport in the Hunter are already at 30C with gusts of 32km/h and 20km/h respectively.
Nowra in the Illawarra is also above 30C, with gusts of up to 43km/h.
Full NSW observations are here.
Here’s the latest on air quality. On the table below, PM2.5 particles are the one to watch out for.Here’s the latest on air quality. On the table below, PM2.5 particles are the one to watch out for.
Readings have surged past 300 at Newcastle and Armidale over the past 24 hours.Readings have surged past 300 at Newcastle and Armidale over the past 24 hours.
The fires have also forced the Coffs Harbour-based Rally of Australia car race, part of the World Rally Championship, to shorten what would have been a title-deciding race.The fires have also forced the Coffs Harbour-based Rally of Australia car race, part of the World Rally Championship, to shorten what would have been a title-deciding race.
The route will be shortened from 324.53km to 94.37km, with that stage used repeatedly, according to Reuters.The route will be shortened from 324.53km to 94.37km, with that stage used repeatedly, according to Reuters.
According to GoFundMe, more than $250,000 has been raised in the past 72 hours for bushfire victims and firefighters. Donations have come from more than 30 countries.According to GoFundMe, more than $250,000 has been raised in the past 72 hours for bushfire victims and firefighters. Donations have come from more than 30 countries.
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has responded to claims from the fire brigade union that its budget has been slashed. She said claims $13m was cut from the urban firefighting budget was false, AAP reports.The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has responded to claims from the fire brigade union that its budget has been slashed. She said claims $13m was cut from the urban firefighting budget was false, AAP reports.
Fire Brigade Employees’ Union state secretary, Leighton Drury, said Fire and Rescue NSW had its budget cut by $12.9m.Fire Brigade Employees’ Union state secretary, Leighton Drury, said Fire and Rescue NSW had its budget cut by $12.9m.
The Rural Fire Service usually handles NSW bushfire-fighting efforts, but Drury said the cuts were harming the overall community response to fires.The Rural Fire Service usually handles NSW bushfire-fighting efforts, but Drury said the cuts were harming the overall community response to fires.
Berejiklian told ABC Radio that this was not true. “Whenever I’m updated at RFS, the fireys, all the agencies, are working together more closely than I’ve ever seen,” she said.Berejiklian told ABC Radio that this was not true. “Whenever I’m updated at RFS, the fireys, all the agencies, are working together more closely than I’ve ever seen,” she said.
A spokesman for the emergency services minister, David Elliott, said the $13m had been part of fire and rescue’s capital expenditure budget and was not part of recurrent FRNSW funding.A spokesman for the emergency services minister, David Elliott, said the $13m had been part of fire and rescue’s capital expenditure budget and was not part of recurrent FRNSW funding.
This morning a snap rally was held outside NSW parliament calling for increased emergency funding to fire services and action on the climate crisis.This morning a snap rally was held outside NSW parliament calling for increased emergency funding to fire services and action on the climate crisis.
Some newer figures: 57 fires, 28 uncontained. The weather is still on track for the predicted conditions.Some newer figures: 57 fires, 28 uncontained. The weather is still on track for the predicted conditions.
There are 54 fires burning in NSW, 26 of them uncontained, 13 of them at watch and act.There are 54 fires burning in NSW, 26 of them uncontained, 13 of them at watch and act.
“For the rest of the day, we really need people to stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe and act in accordance with your plan and the advice that might be given out throughout the day,” Shane Fitzsimmons says.“For the rest of the day, we really need people to stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe and act in accordance with your plan and the advice that might be given out throughout the day,” Shane Fitzsimmons says.
There are no new fires yet in any of the catastrophic areas, Shane Fitzsimmons says.There are no new fires yet in any of the catastrophic areas, Shane Fitzsimmons says.
“We still have, though, these fires burning up in northern NSW, which are starting to increase in activity, and we’re getting reports of some fire spread particularly in the fires further up in the northern areas of NSW,” he says.“We still have, though, these fires burning up in northern NSW, which are starting to increase in activity, and we’re getting reports of some fire spread particularly in the fires further up in the northern areas of NSW,” he says.
“There’s been a number of tactical backburning operations.”“There’s been a number of tactical backburning operations.”
The NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, is speaking in Sydney now.The NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, is speaking in Sydney now.
“We are starting to see an increase in the wind speeds, especially in the ranges,” he says. “We are expecting those to continue to strengthen from 10 to 11 o’clock late morning.”“We are starting to see an increase in the wind speeds, especially in the ranges,” he says. “We are expecting those to continue to strengthen from 10 to 11 o’clock late morning.”
“Now is the time to exercise those decisions to leave, leave early and go to safer locations, safer towns or safer places in your community such as shopping centres.”“Now is the time to exercise those decisions to leave, leave early and go to safer locations, safer towns or safer places in your community such as shopping centres.”
Here is a map of those more than 100 existing fires that Stuart Ellis was mentioning.Here is a map of those more than 100 existing fires that Stuart Ellis was mentioning.
The chief executive of the peak body for fire services, Stuart Ellis, has told Radio National today his main advice is to “get out” of fire-prone areas.The chief executive of the peak body for fire services, Stuart Ellis, has told Radio National today his main advice is to “get out” of fire-prone areas.
He said today was especially worrying because there are already existing, “significant” fires, even before the catastrophic conditions developed.He said today was especially worrying because there are already existing, “significant” fires, even before the catastrophic conditions developed.
“We knew [Black Saturday] was coming and the potential impact of that day, and we know now that this is coming,” he said. “We have not faced many days like this and the concerning thing about today in NSW in particular and also in Queensland, is that there is already significant fire in the landscape.“We knew [Black Saturday] was coming and the potential impact of that day, and we know now that this is coming,” he said. “We have not faced many days like this and the concerning thing about today in NSW in particular and also in Queensland, is that there is already significant fire in the landscape.
“On Black Saturday there was a small number of fires in Victoria. A large number of fires developed. In NSW today there are already a large number of fires.“On Black Saturday there was a small number of fires in Victoria. A large number of fires developed. In NSW today there are already a large number of fires.
“The only safe place to be is somewhere else. I’m an ex-SAS officer, I’m pretty capable, but I would not consider staying at my home today because under these circumstances it is not viable. It is not safe to do so.”“The only safe place to be is somewhere else. I’m an ex-SAS officer, I’m pretty capable, but I would not consider staying at my home today because under these circumstances it is not viable. It is not safe to do so.”
The Taree Show Society has opened its grounds to people who want to camp with their dogs and horses.The Taree Show Society has opened its grounds to people who want to camp with their dogs and horses.
“We have put some 113 horses in stables and we have set up sites for people in caravans, trucks and tents,” said the society’s Rhonda Crisp.“We have put some 113 horses in stables and we have set up sites for people in caravans, trucks and tents,” said the society’s Rhonda Crisp.
“We have been feeding more than 100 people in our tea rooms every night with donated food. We have showers and toilets, if you are in trouble we are more than happy to help. Though of course people are very stressed and upset.”“We have been feeding more than 100 people in our tea rooms every night with donated food. We have showers and toilets, if you are in trouble we are more than happy to help. Though of course people are very stressed and upset.”
Casey Miller from Old Bar has been living between a borrowed truck, horse float and car in the showgrounds with her friend, their four dogs and two horses for four days: “We are OK, it is just that we’ve had to adjust and put life on pause. We don’t know when we are going home. It is going to depend [on what] is coming with hot temperatures and bad winds, it all depends on that.”Casey Miller from Old Bar has been living between a borrowed truck, horse float and car in the showgrounds with her friend, their four dogs and two horses for four days: “We are OK, it is just that we’ve had to adjust and put life on pause. We don’t know when we are going home. It is going to depend [on what] is coming with hot temperatures and bad winds, it all depends on that.”
Scores of people leaving farms and acreages are paying for accommodation in motels and hotels. Glennis Cochicho, who manages Taree’s Crescent Motel, turned away between 200 to 300 people at the weekend.Scores of people leaving farms and acreages are paying for accommodation in motels and hotels. Glennis Cochicho, who manages Taree’s Crescent Motel, turned away between 200 to 300 people at the weekend.
“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” she said. “I’ve had to repeatedly disappoint people who I know are stranded, and it’s an awful situation.”“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” she said. “I’ve had to repeatedly disappoint people who I know are stranded, and it’s an awful situation.”
From a correspondent, Christine Tondorf, in Taree:From a correspondent, Christine Tondorf, in Taree:
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
“I am now just so terribly, terribly tired and, if my van burns down, I’ll get another one.”“I am now just so terribly, terribly tired and, if my van burns down, I’ll get another one.”
For people on farms and acreages, Monday was also the day for deciding – stay or go. Many women, children and pets (dogs and horses) moved into town, while men chose to stay and defend.For people on farms and acreages, Monday was also the day for deciding – stay or go. Many women, children and pets (dogs and horses) moved into town, while men chose 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.”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 reading for the state shows metropolitan Sydney is as high as 125 on the air quality index, which is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.More on air quality – a reading for the state shows 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.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.