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NSW and Qld fires: army training exercise may have started Gold Coast blaze – live NSW and Qld fires: army training exercise may have started Gold Coast blaze – 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
Port Macquarie resident Patrick Rudd says now is the time to talk about climate change, as fires edge closer to his hometown.
The 15-year old high school student told AAP: “If now is not the time to talk about climate change, then when is?”
Rudd’s school was closed on Monday, and he said today that smoke was so thick in town “you can taste it”.
“It’s definitely very scary,” he said. “And to see it affecting my town and me personally, it feels very threatening. It feels almost like our first look at what might lie ahead. If now is not the time to talk about climate change, then when is?
“It’s not the ‘greenies’ who are politicising [the bushfires], it’s actually the firefighters and emergency services.”
Rudd was one of the local organisers of the most recent climate school strike for his school.
The first emergency warning today has just been issued.
A fire is burning and spreading quickly in the area of Thunderbolts Way and Nowendoc Road on the mid-north coast.
“The fire is spreading quickly,” the RFS says. “If you are in the path of the fire, you are at risk.
“If you are in the Nowendoc and Mount George area, you at risk. It is too late to leave.”
Power outages have struck homes in Sydney’s north, according to AusGrid. Affected suburbs are: Ryde, Gladesville, Putney and Tennyson Point.
It seems to be business as usual in the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba this morning.
Guardian Australia spoke to a number of business operators who said that everything was fairly calm along the main street despite the forecast catastrophic conditions. The cafes are full, and the historic local hotel, The Carrington, is bustling with guest services.
Tourists, however, may find their days plans derailed: the Blue Mountains City Council has warned the community to avoid entering bushland areas, including walking tracks, lookouts and similar, “given that any fire that starts will be uncontrollable and will spread quickly”. Campgrounds at Old Ford Reserve Megalong Valley, Blackheath Glen Megalong Valley, Mount York and Cathedral of Ferns Mt Wilson are closed, as is the Blue Mountains National Park until at least Thursday.
Temperatures are now above 30C in many parts of the state covered by the catastrophic danger warning.
In the Hunter, it is above 30C at: Cessnock Airport, Gosford, Lake Macquarie - Cooranbong, Maitland Airport, Mangrove Mountain, Merriwa and Williamtown.
In the Illawarra: Albion Park, Bellambi, Nowra and Jervis Bay Airfield.
In Sydney, it is above 30C at all current Bureau of Meteorology observation stations. It’s nearly 34C in Penrith and 30C at Sydney Harbour.
Northern Territoy firefighters have just announced that they will be travelling to Queensland today to help with the effort as well. The precise details to come.
A senior Queensland fire chief has said the state is struggling with a lack of resources, AAP reports.
Assistant commissioner of Qld Fire and Emergency Services, Tony Johnstone, told ABC Radio today that: “We’re having a problem with resources. We need to admit that.”
While he has 40 aircraft on stand-by, he said they needed more firefighters themselves.
“We’ve got significant aircraft for Queensland on stand-by to use. But aircraft don’t put fires out, aircraft help contain fires while firefighters get in.”
Queensland has called in firefighters from interstate and New Zealand.
The acting commissioner of QFES, Mike Wassing said: “This is a marathon for us with several sprints. We’ve been at this since August when the fire season normally starts.”
A NSW Ambulance spokesman also adds that since 5am, they have seen “a slightly elevated workload across the state.”A NSW Ambulance spokesman also adds that since 5am, they have seen “a slightly elevated workload across the state.”
He says there were 31 instances of respiratory conditions – 17 within greater Sydney, 9 in the north of NSW and 5 in the south.He says there were 31 instances of respiratory conditions – 17 within greater Sydney, 9 in the north of NSW and 5 in the south.
“One of those conditions was directly related to a patient who no longer had their asthma reliever medication with them.“One of those conditions was directly related to a patient who no longer had their asthma reliever medication with them.
“It is very, very important that we get this message out very clearly - to fail to make a plan if you have an asthma condition or respiratory condition and not have reliever medications, this could be a deadly condition for you.“It is very, very important that we get this message out very clearly - to fail to make a plan if you have an asthma condition or respiratory condition and not have reliever medications, this could be a deadly condition for you.
“Make a plan and get medical aid as soon as possible.”“Make a plan and get medical aid as soon as possible.”
That concludes the 11am press conference.That concludes the 11am press conference.
Around the state, there is also “greater spread potential for many of our fires”, Fitzsimmons says.Around the state, there is also “greater spread potential for many of our fires”, Fitzsimmons says.
This means that many of the predictions from last night of fire spread are being exceeded. Earlier we saw fires near Port Macquarie were growing.This means that many of the predictions from last night of fire spread are being exceeded. Earlier we saw fires near Port Macquarie were growing.
“Across many of the 50 fires burning in north-east New South Wales, the predictions are generally showing a greater spread potential for the fires,” Fitzsimmons says. “That’s based on the conditions and the current fire behaviour.”“Across many of the 50 fires burning in north-east New South Wales, the predictions are generally showing a greater spread potential for the fires,” Fitzsimmons says. “That’s based on the conditions and the current fire behaviour.”
On the Gosper Mountain fire and the St Albans area, Fitzsimmons says: “You’re talking a very large bushfire, burning through forested country. You’re talking about relatively isolated settlements along and up the Putty Road, the communities of Mellong, and Howes Swamp.On the Gosper Mountain fire and the St Albans area, Fitzsimmons says: “You’re talking a very large bushfire, burning through forested country. You’re talking about relatively isolated settlements along and up the Putty Road, the communities of Mellong, and Howes Swamp.
“The decision now is to leave now. We know the fire is building. If you haven’t already done so, now is the safest time to go.”“The decision now is to leave now. We know the fire is building. If you haven’t already done so, now is the safest time to go.”
“The edge of the fire that’s burning is being driven by the hot, dry winds coming down the ranges and influencing the fire behaviour.”“The edge of the fire that’s burning is being driven by the hot, dry winds coming down the ranges and influencing the fire behaviour.”
Shane Fitzsimmons is speaking in Sydney now.Shane Fitzsimmons is speaking in Sydney now.
The NSW RFS commissioner says: “We are certainly starting to see an increase in fire activity … Up north, we’ve got a couple of the fires particularly that are starting to develop.”The NSW RFS commissioner says: “We are certainly starting to see an increase in fire activity … Up north, we’ve got a couple of the fires particularly that are starting to develop.”
There are gusts exceeding 70km/h in many parts of the ranges.There are gusts exceeding 70km/h in many parts of the ranges.
Closer to Sydney, the Mount Gosper fire in the Hawkesbury is likely to impact the communities of Howes Swamp and Mellong. Later today it could spread to St Albans, Upper MacDonald and areas north of Wisemans Ferry.Closer to Sydney, the Mount Gosper fire in the Hawkesbury is likely to impact the communities of Howes Swamp and Mellong. Later today it could spread to St Albans, Upper MacDonald and areas north of Wisemans Ferry.
The Sydney protest also heard a message from Sian, a schoolgirl on the north coast, who lost her home and said the fires were unlike anything we’ve seen before.The Sydney protest also heard a message from Sian, a schoolgirl on the north coast, who lost her home and said the fires were unlike anything we’ve seen before.
“The fire was unstoppable,” she said. “I’ve heard from those who stayed, of walls of flame 40 metres high. It was catastrophic.“The fire was unstoppable,” she said. “I’ve heard from those who stayed, of walls of flame 40 metres high. It was catastrophic.
“For many of us, this is where we have lived our entire lives. Our only home has been ravaged by a firestorm. This is not normal. Never have I heard of so many houses burning down in one night. Australia is on fire, we need desperate climate action.”“For many of us, this is where we have lived our entire lives. Our only home has been ravaged by a firestorm. This is not normal. Never have I heard of so many houses burning down in one night. Australia is on fire, we need desperate climate action.”
Fiona and her husband Aaron lost their family home – that they built themselves – on the north coast.Fiona and her husband Aaron lost their family home – that they built themselves – on the north coast.
“For me there has never been a better time to talk about climate change,” Fiona said.“For me there has never been a better time to talk about climate change,” Fiona said.
Aaron said the communication in fire-affected areas was poor. With power out and mobile towers affected, people weren’t able to get information about the fire situation around them.Aaron said the communication in fire-affected areas was poor. With power out and mobile towers affected, people weren’t able to get information about the fire situation around them.
“There are people now today whose lives are at risk, and we’re talking about thoughts and prayers.”“There are people now today whose lives are at risk, and we’re talking about thoughts and prayers.”
About 1,000 protesters gathered outside Sydney’s Parliament House on Macquarie Street for a hastily convened demonstration demanding urgent climate action this morning.About 1,000 protesters gathered outside Sydney’s Parliament House on Macquarie Street for a hastily convened demonstration demanding urgent climate action this morning.
Protesters carried signs reading: “Scientists were wrong: it is much worse” and “If now is not the time to talk about the climate emergency, when the hell is?”Protesters carried signs reading: “Scientists were wrong: it is much worse” and “If now is not the time to talk about the climate emergency, when the hell is?”
Simon Clough, the former deputy mayor of Lismore, said fires had threatened his property for weeks and remain burning on a ridge 5km from his house.Simon Clough, the former deputy mayor of Lismore, said fires had threatened his property for weeks and remain burning on a ridge 5km from his house.
“I’m a country person, perhaps the leader of the National party would like to know that,” he said. “But I stand with you ‘loony lefties’ or whatever it is, because climate change is real. And we are experiencing it at this moment.”“I’m a country person, perhaps the leader of the National party would like to know that,” he said. “But I stand with you ‘loony lefties’ or whatever it is, because climate change is real. And we are experiencing it at this moment.”
Speeches were interrupted with cheers of “Up the Fireys” and sustained cheers for the Rural Fire Service.Speeches were interrupted with cheers of “Up the Fireys” and sustained cheers for the Rural Fire Service.
A report from the ABC says an army training exercise may in fact be the cause of a Gold Coast hinterland fire on Saturday that destroyed homes.
The Australian defence force declined to answer questions from the ABC, but a colonel from the Kokoda barracks conceded in a message to the local rural fire brigade that the army may be responsible.
In a Facebook message to the Lower Beechmont Rural Fire Brigade page, Colonel Arran Hassel said: “We have not formally investigated the cause of the fire, but I am conscious that we had an army unit conducting training in the east of the training area the week when the fire started.
“As a part of their training a small fire was started, burnt out an area of 3m by 3m, but we believed we had extinguished it.
“It is entirely possible that this fire reignited on Sunday 27 Oct and has led to the current fire.”
The defence force has been mobilised to provide assistance to all bushfire affected areas.
The NSW education minister, Sarah Mitchell, has confirmed that some schools were damaged by fires yesterday.
She told Sky News 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.