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| Australia fires: emergency bushfire warnings in NSW, Victoria and SA amid severe heat – live | Australia fires: emergency bushfire warnings in NSW, Victoria and SA amid severe heat – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Extreme weather conditions trigger fires in several states and a thunderstorm asthma warning and dust storm in Victoria. Follow all the latest updates | Extreme weather conditions trigger fires in several states and a thunderstorm asthma warning and dust storm in Victoria. Follow all the latest updates |
| We are going to close this blog now, but stand by for a story summarising today’s fires and a forecast for tomorrow. Fires continue to burn all over the country. | |
| Across NSW, there are still 59 fires burning, 29 of which are not contained, and one which is at emergency level. | |
| In Victoria, there are at least 60 blazes burning. The exact number is not known as new fires have been sparked by lightning strikes during this afternoon’s storm. | |
| Firefighters have battled more than 65 fires across South Australia over the past 24 hours. | |
| Nine fires are burning in Queensland, most in the south-east, including one on Moreton Island. | |
| Two fires are at alert level in Tasmania. | |
| To everyone, at the fire fronts and beyond, stay safe. | |
| The storm that has swept across Victoria has caused significant damage. The State Emergency Service has received 1,800 requests for assistance in the last 24 hours, the majority – 1,300 – for fallen trees. | |
| Perhaps... | Perhaps... |
| Extraordinary to see every Australian state and territory on fire today (Tasmania – typically – left off this map, but there are several fires across that state). | Extraordinary to see every Australian state and territory on fire today (Tasmania – typically – left off this map, but there are several fires across that state). |
| The cool change that’s hit Melbourne has brought relief, but also comparisons with Black Saturday in February 2009. Your correspondent is among those who remembers the wind suddenly swinging around and the temperature (which had reached 46C) dropping 15C in 15 minutes... | The cool change that’s hit Melbourne has brought relief, but also comparisons with Black Saturday in February 2009. Your correspondent is among those who remembers the wind suddenly swinging around and the temperature (which had reached 46C) dropping 15C in 15 minutes... |
| Tomorrow will be no easier in NSW: | Tomorrow will be no easier in NSW: |
| An out-an-control bushfire is threatening homes near Rochester in northern Victoria, as firefighters battle more than 60 blazes on a scorching day. | An out-an-control bushfire is threatening homes near Rochester in northern Victoria, as firefighters battle more than 60 blazes on a scorching day. |
| An emergency warning is in place for a grassfire in Strathallan, south of Echuca, which was burning in a south-easterly direction towards Rochester, but has now changed direction with wind changes. | An emergency warning is in place for a grassfire in Strathallan, south of Echuca, which was burning in a south-easterly direction towards Rochester, but has now changed direction with wind changes. |
| “You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately,” warnings issued late on Thursday said. | “You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately,” warnings issued late on Thursday said. |
| “Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are.” | “Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are.” |
| Emergency authorities said police were investigating the cause of the blaze. | Emergency authorities said police were investigating the cause of the blaze. |
| A fire near Ballarat that was at emergency level has been downgraded to a watch and act warning. | A fire near Ballarat that was at emergency level has been downgraded to a watch and act warning. |
| The fire was heading towards Dunac, but waterbombing from helicopters and aircraft helped contain it. | The fire was heading towards Dunac, but waterbombing from helicopters and aircraft helped contain it. |
| Ben Doherty here, picking up this liveblog from my colleague Josh Taylor. | Ben Doherty here, picking up this liveblog from my colleague Josh Taylor. |
| The Yorketown fire in South Australia was caused by a power network fault, AAP reports: | The Yorketown fire in South Australia was caused by a power network fault, AAP reports: |
| Just regarding the dust storm that hit north-west Victoria today, my colleague Naaman Zhou has more: | Just regarding the dust storm that hit north-west Victoria today, my colleague Naaman Zhou has more: |
| The CFA has issued an emergency warning for Fairy Dell, Nanneella and Strathallan. A grass fire south west of Strathallan and north of Rochester is burning out of control.It has crossed Burgoine Road, Rochester-Strathallan Road, and the railway line travelling in a north-easterly direction. | The CFA has issued an emergency warning for Fairy Dell, Nanneella and Strathallan. A grass fire south west of Strathallan and north of Rochester is burning out of control.It has crossed Burgoine Road, Rochester-Strathallan Road, and the railway line travelling in a north-easterly direction. |
| The severe thunderstorm warning for Melbourne has been cancelled, but is still in effect for parts of eastern Victoria. | The severe thunderstorm warning for Melbourne has been cancelled, but is still in effect for parts of eastern Victoria. |
| Many parts of Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November today. | Many parts of Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November today. |
| The cool change hit Melbourne just before 3pm today, dropping the temperature by 9C from 40.9C. | The cool change hit Melbourne just before 3pm today, dropping the temperature by 9C from 40.9C. |
| My colleagues Nick Evershed and Andy Ball have put together animations that show the extent of the fires in New South Wales and Queensland over the past few weeks using satellite data from Nasa’s hotspot detection program. | My colleagues Nick Evershed and Andy Ball have put together animations that show the extent of the fires in New South Wales and Queensland over the past few weeks using satellite data from Nasa’s hotspot detection program. |
| Bushfires have destroyed 612 homes so far this season in New South Wales, via AAP: | Bushfires have destroyed 612 homes so far this season in New South Wales, via AAP: |
| Six people have also died, and 1,300 outbuildings have been damaged or destroyed in the past fortnight. | Six people have also died, and 1,300 outbuildings have been damaged or destroyed in the past fortnight. |
| Sydney is also dealing with a lot of smoke right now, and people are being urged to stay indoors if they have chronic respiratory or heart conditions. The smoke is predicted to clear by Friday morning when a southerly change hits. | Sydney is also dealing with a lot of smoke right now, and people are being urged to stay indoors if they have chronic respiratory or heart conditions. The smoke is predicted to clear by Friday morning when a southerly change hits. |
| There are still 50 fires burning, 20 of which are uncontained, but conditions are expected to improve over the next few days. | There are still 50 fires burning, 20 of which are uncontained, but conditions are expected to improve over the next few days. |
| There’s also a dust storm across north-west Victoria. | There’s also a dust storm across north-west Victoria. |
| The fire situation over the last 72 hours. | The fire situation over the last 72 hours. |
| Here’s the latest from Victorian emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp: | Here’s the latest from Victorian emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp: |
| 130km/h winds in the Grampians this morning, followed by 90km/h winds at Tullamarine. | 130km/h winds in the Grampians this morning, followed by 90km/h winds at Tullamarine. |
| The cool change is working its way through Melbourne now, after temperatures peaked at around 41C. | The cool change is working its way through Melbourne now, after temperatures peaked at around 41C. |
| Four emergency warnings have been issued for fires, six watch and act warnings, and 10 advice. | Four emergency warnings have been issued for fires, six watch and act warnings, and 10 advice. |
| There are more than 2,000 firefighters out across the state, 300 trucks, and 33 helicopters and planes. | There are more than 2,000 firefighters out across the state, 300 trucks, and 33 helicopters and planes. |
| There will be an emergency warning for a fire in Hunter near Elmore. | There will be an emergency warning for a fire in Hunter near Elmore. |
| A fire at watch and act level north of Avoca was started by a lightning strike to a tree. | A fire at watch and act level north of Avoca was started by a lightning strike to a tree. |
| The fire causing significant concern at the moment is at Strathallan in the Goulburn Valley. | The fire causing significant concern at the moment is at Strathallan in the Goulburn Valley. |
| Dry lightning strikes could cause more fires as the storm works its way through Victoria up to 11pm tonight. | Dry lightning strikes could cause more fires as the storm works its way through Victoria up to 11pm tonight. |
| Thunderstorm asthma is also a big risk this afternoon, but there have been no cases presented to hospital yet. | Thunderstorm asthma is also a big risk this afternoon, but there have been no cases presented to hospital yet. |
| “A message is for people to still be vigilant in relation to the fire risk,” Crisp said. “It’s not just a fire risk we have been dealing with today, but also thunderstorm asthma.” | “A message is for people to still be vigilant in relation to the fire risk,” Crisp said. “It’s not just a fire risk we have been dealing with today, but also thunderstorm asthma.” |
| Good afternoon, Josh Taylor here to bring you all the latest on the bushfire situation. | Good afternoon, Josh Taylor here to bring you all the latest on the bushfire situation. |
| Here’s where we are as of 3.30pm AEDT: | Here’s where we are as of 3.30pm AEDT: |
| Code Red – the highest warning level – issued in Victoria as fires are raging in the central Victorian towns of Clunes, Bonn and Strathallan. | Code Red – the highest warning level – issued in Victoria as fires are raging in the central Victorian towns of Clunes, Bonn and Strathallan. |
| Temperatures in Victoria have reached the early 40s, amid a thunderstorm warning for Melbourne and a cool change this afternoon. | Temperatures in Victoria have reached the early 40s, amid a thunderstorm warning for Melbourne and a cool change this afternoon. |
| In South Australia, there are catastrophic bushfire conditions for the second day in a row, with one fire burning out of control on the Yorke Peninsula. | In South Australia, there are catastrophic bushfire conditions for the second day in a row, with one fire burning out of control on the Yorke Peninsula. |
| 33 people were injured in South Australia yesterday, while 11 properties were damaged in fires. | 33 people were injured in South Australia yesterday, while 11 properties were damaged in fires. |
| In New South Wales, 55 fires are still burning, with 31 uncontained, and 12 fire bans in place across the state. | In New South Wales, 55 fires are still burning, with 31 uncontained, and 12 fire bans in place across the state. |
| A total of 67 fires are burning out of control in Queensland. | A total of 67 fires are burning out of control in Queensland. |
| In Western Australia, there is a catastrophic fire warning for southern interior parts of the state, while in Tasmania parts of the east coast have an extreme bushfire rating. | In Western Australia, there is a catastrophic fire warning for southern interior parts of the state, while in Tasmania parts of the east coast have an extreme bushfire rating. |