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NSW and Queensland fires updates: worst of bushfires season 'still ahead', says fire chief – live NSW and Queensland fires updates: worst of bushfires season 'still ahead', says fire chief – live
(32 minutes later)
Catastrophic fire conditions in New South Wales ease, but dozens of Australian bushfires remain burning. In Queensland, 60 fires are burning, with strong winds and temperatures in mid-30s forecast to make for hazardous conditions on Australia’s east coastCatastrophic fire conditions in New South Wales ease, but dozens of Australian bushfires remain burning. In Queensland, 60 fires are burning, with strong winds and temperatures in mid-30s forecast to make for hazardous conditions on Australia’s east coast
Some new images from Queensland yesterday, from photographer Cam Neville in Tarome and Lower Beechmont.
There is severe fire dangers across southern part of Queensland today, with hot, dry and windy conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Victoria Dodds says a predicted wind change is adding “real complexity to the forecast, and it will make conditions really challenging for our firefighters on the ground.”
“We’ve got a south-westerly change - a cold front that’s moving in - and we’ve also got a south-easterly change.”
“There’s a bit of a battle of air masses at the moment. With that south-westerly and the south-easterlies, where that air comes together, there is the potential for some thunderstorms to form this afternoon.
“The air is really, really dry, so we’re not going to see any significant rainfall with these thunderstorms, but there’s definitely the potential for some lightning.”
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, is providing an update on bushfires and confirms 14 homes have been lost in the state.
The main areas of concern are in the Scenic Rim area and near Noosa, where people are being asked to leave.
“Now is not the time to be complacent, the conditions are of concern to us,” Palaszczuk said.
The premier said reinforcements were arriving from Tasmania today to assist with the firefighting effort, joining New Zealanders who arrived yesterday.
More than $40m in estimated insured losses have been claimed following the NSW bushfires, with plenty more to come, according to the industry’s national peak body, AAP reports.More than $40m in estimated insured losses have been claimed following the NSW bushfires, with plenty more to come, according to the industry’s national peak body, AAP reports.
Insurance Council Australia spokesman Campbell Fuller said more than 360 claims had been made from catastrophe areas, including 80 properties that could be total losses.Insurance Council Australia spokesman Campbell Fuller said more than 360 claims had been made from catastrophe areas, including 80 properties that could be total losses.
Fuller said the catastrophe declaration made by the ICA on Saturday meant every claim would be prioritised by insurers. Fuller advised policyholders affected by the bushfires to contact their insurers as soon as possible, even if the extent of damage was yet to be determined.Fuller said the catastrophe declaration made by the ICA on Saturday meant every claim would be prioritised by insurers. Fuller advised policyholders affected by the bushfires to contact their insurers as soon as possible, even if the extent of damage was yet to be determined.
“If they know their home has been badly damaged, then the insurer is made aware of it and can work out how best to help them, because that’s what insurers try to do – lower or reduce the financial, physical and emotional distress that these property owners have experienced,” he said.“If they know their home has been badly damaged, then the insurer is made aware of it and can work out how best to help them, because that’s what insurers try to do – lower or reduce the financial, physical and emotional distress that these property owners have experienced,” he said.
Footage of residents leaving Noosa here:Footage of residents leaving Noosa here:
And photos of the fire:And photos of the fire:
A leave now alert has been issued for Noosa North Shore, near Beach Road and the First Cutting, 10km from Noosaville.A leave now alert has been issued for Noosa North Shore, near Beach Road and the First Cutting, 10km from Noosaville.
“The fire may impact the Wallaby Track soon so residents are advised to leave now, the QFES says. “This fire could have a significant impact on the community.”“The fire may impact the Wallaby Track soon so residents are advised to leave now, the QFES says. “This fire could have a significant impact on the community.”
“People leaving the area should take the Noosa River Ferry to Moorindil Street.”“People leaving the area should take the Noosa River Ferry to Moorindil Street.”
Previously, two fires were burning in the area, and have now been combined into one alert. They were at watch and act and advice previously.Previously, two fires were burning in the area, and have now been combined into one alert. They were at watch and act and advice previously.
“Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave now if it is clear to do so. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.“Follow your bushfire survival plan now. If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave now if it is clear to do so. If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous.
“An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Drive.“An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Drive.
“Ground crews and waterbombing aircraft are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Power, water and mobile phone service may be lost.”“Ground crews and waterbombing aircraft are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Power, water and mobile phone service may be lost.”
Something from Sydney: a major exhibition of the art of Banksy will be closing abruptly from today – due to heatwave concerns over the next few weeks.Something from Sydney: a major exhibition of the art of Banksy will be closing abruptly from today – due to heatwave concerns over the next few weeks.
It was above 35C in Sydney yesterday, and in a statement, the exhibition said “the collection of artworks on display in the exhibition’s temporary marquee structure have to be very carefully climate-controlled”.It was above 35C in Sydney yesterday, and in a statement, the exhibition said “the collection of artworks on display in the exhibition’s temporary marquee structure have to be very carefully climate-controlled”.
“This can no longer be guaranteed due to the heatwave, which is forecast to continue over the coming weeks.”“This can no longer be guaranteed due to the heatwave, which is forecast to continue over the coming weeks.”
The exhibition was scheduled to run until Sunday 1 December, but will close now.The exhibition was scheduled to run until Sunday 1 December, but will close now.
Some footage of the bright pink firefighting effort in Turramurra.Some footage of the bright pink firefighting effort in Turramurra.
Our photo editor Jessica Hromas is on the mid-north coast, and took these photos in Rainbow Flat, where fires rages last weekend.Our photo editor Jessica Hromas is on the mid-north coast, and took these photos in Rainbow Flat, where fires rages last weekend.
Footage of commissioner Fitzsimmons speaking this morning, and a video wrap up of the fires still burning today.Footage of commissioner Fitzsimmons speaking this morning, and a video wrap up of the fires still burning today.
Four alleged breaches of the NSW total fire ban have occurred this week, according to the state’s police.Four alleged breaches of the NSW total fire ban have occurred this week, according to the state’s police.
The first was a 27-year-old man who lit a small campfire at Wallacia in Sydney’s west on Monday to boil water for tea, AAP reports. He extinguished the flames when authorities arrived and was fined $2200.The first was a 27-year-old man who lit a small campfire at Wallacia in Sydney’s west on Monday to boil water for tea, AAP reports. He extinguished the flames when authorities arrived and was fined $2200.
A 35-year-old man at Lalor Park in Sydney’s west on Tuesday also allegedly burned fence palings in a cylindrical barbecue, causing a fire.A 35-year-old man at Lalor Park in Sydney’s west on Tuesday also allegedly burned fence palings in a cylindrical barbecue, causing a fire.
A third man allegedly lit a small coal barbecue.A third man allegedly lit a small coal barbecue.
And a nine-year-old boy was warned in Nowra after he and a group of other children admitted to using a blowtorch to light a grass fire.And a nine-year-old boy was warned in Nowra after he and a group of other children admitted to using a blowtorch to light a grass fire.
There is also a total fire ban in place today.There is also a total fire ban in place today.
Three different weather fronts could cause uncertainty, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services assistant commissioner Tony Johnstone has told the ABC.Three different weather fronts could cause uncertainty, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services assistant commissioner Tony Johnstone has told the ABC.
“We’ve got a cold air and a warm air and when the cold air and the warm air sort of mix we end up with three different wind directions, which can basically turn ... the flank of a fire into a head fire pretty quickly,” he said.“We’ve got a cold air and a warm air and when the cold air and the warm air sort of mix we end up with three different wind directions, which can basically turn ... the flank of a fire into a head fire pretty quickly,” he said.
“Potentially ... we could actually have three different weather fronts.”“Potentially ... we could actually have three different weather fronts.”
One of the major concerns for Queensland right now are the communities west of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, AAP reports.One of the major concerns for Queensland right now are the communities west of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, AAP reports.
But the large Cobraball fire near Yeppoon, which has been burning for days, is also a concern. The fire is only 70% contained, and erratic weather and strengthening gusts could fan its flames.But the large Cobraball fire near Yeppoon, which has been burning for days, is also a concern. The fire is only 70% contained, and erratic weather and strengthening gusts could fan its flames.
Thirteen of the 14 houses lost in Queensland were as a result of the Cobraball fire.Thirteen of the 14 houses lost in Queensland were as a result of the Cobraball fire.
Gusts are expected to near 50km/h later in the day, with temperatures in some areas 6C to 8C above average.Gusts are expected to near 50km/h later in the day, with temperatures in some areas 6C to 8C above average.
An update from Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour, where actor Russell Crowe’s property was one of the many affected.An update from Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour, where actor Russell Crowe’s property was one of the many affected.
Last night Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce responded to criticism after he said yesterday that two of the people who died “most likely” were Greens voters. Joyce had said the Greens were to blame for worsening fires because their influence meant fire services had not conducted sufficient hazard-reduction burns.Last night Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce responded to criticism after he said yesterday that two of the people who died “most likely” were Greens voters. Joyce had said the Greens were to blame for worsening fires because their influence meant fire services had not conducted sufficient hazard-reduction burns.
He told Sky News on Tuesday: “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 told Sky News on Tuesday: “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.
On Tuesday night he released a statement: “No matter which party an individual votes for, they do not deserve the tragedy that fell upon the Wytaliba bushfire victims.On Tuesday night he released a statement: “No matter which party an individual votes for, they do not deserve the tragedy that fell upon the Wytaliba bushfire victims.
“Any suggestion that I said otherwise is a deliberate misinterpretation. Tragedies such as this transcend party politics.”“Any suggestion that I said otherwise is a deliberate misinterpretation. Tragedies such as this transcend party politics.”
On Monday, Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said any link between climate change and the worsening bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point-scoring”.On Monday, Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said any link between climate change and the worsening bushfires was “woke capital-city greenies ravings” and “cheap political point-scoring”.