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Australia bushfires: catastrophic conditions declared for NSW after horror day Australia bushfires: catastrophic conditions declared for NSW after horror day
(32 minutes later)
Emergency warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South AustraliaEmergency warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia
There are road closures all across the country today.
And in a press conference earlier today, NSW premier Berejiklian told residents to please be aware of closures, and avoid travel on roads in fire areas.
“We are asking everybody not to travel on roads near the vicinity of an active fire unless you absolutely have to,” she said. “Look at the livetraffic.com website before you leave home today. Avoid the Princes Highway all together, there are active fires which could become very dangerous in a short amount of time.
An RFS volunteer has just been on ABC Radio NSW, with much the same advice.
He tells listeners, try and stay home with plenty of food and water. Postpone visiting relatives, or going on holiday, even though it is the time of year for it.
Canadian crews are out there helping Australian volunteers today.
The Sunday Telegraph’s political editor, Annika Smethurst, has reported that prime minister Scott Morrison was spotted in a lift today in Hawaii – at about 7am Australian time.
Yesterday he had promised to return “as soon as possible” to Australia from an overseas family holiday. He had originally been planning to return to the PM role – not necessarily to the country – by Monday night.
Smethurst also says the PM’s office says he will be back by later tonight.
There is a community meeting today in Victoria for the Lexton fire.There is a community meeting today in Victoria for the Lexton fire.
And there is a continuing emergency warning for the Gum Creek Road fire in Menzies in South Australia.And there is a continuing emergency warning for the Gum Creek Road fire in Menzies in South Australia.
In Victoria, the Chute, Lexton, Mount Lonarch fire has been downgraded to watch and act, after flaring to emergency last night.In Victoria, the Chute, Lexton, Mount Lonarch fire has been downgraded to watch and act, after flaring to emergency last night.
But the fire near Stirling, Tambo Crossing and Wattle Circle is still at emergency.But the fire near Stirling, Tambo Crossing and Wattle Circle is still at emergency.
And if you are wondering how you can donate to or help the firefighting effort, whether through time, money or otherwise, Guardian Australia yesterday published this guide based on fire authority and evacuation centre advice.And if you are wondering how you can donate to or help the firefighting effort, whether through time, money or otherwise, Guardian Australia yesterday published this guide based on fire authority and evacuation centre advice.
And read this morning’s feature from environment editor Adam Morton, on the climate of chaos. It explains how weather events and global warming have led to the scale of these horrible fires – and two record breaking hot days.And read this morning’s feature from environment editor Adam Morton, on the climate of chaos. It explains how weather events and global warming have led to the scale of these horrible fires – and two record breaking hot days.
Finally, our interactive map on the size of the fires has been updated.Finally, our interactive map on the size of the fires has been updated.
An emergency warning has just been issued for the huge Gospers Mountain fire in NSW.An emergency warning has just been issued for the huge Gospers Mountain fire in NSW.
Good morning and welcome to our continuing coverage of this week’s heatwave and the ongoing bushfire crisis.Good morning and welcome to our continuing coverage of this week’s heatwave and the ongoing bushfire crisis.
It was a horror day yesterday and on Thursday. Two firefighters in NSW were killed on Thursday when their truck overturned near, and two were seriously injured in a separte incident near Bargo. On Friday, one person was confirmed killed in a car crash in South Australia in the fire zone, and eight fire fighters were injured.It was a horror day yesterday and on Thursday. Two firefighters in NSW were killed on Thursday when their truck overturned near, and two were seriously injured in a separte incident near Bargo. On Friday, one person was confirmed killed in a car crash in South Australia in the fire zone, and eight fire fighters were injured.
Today, conditions in NSW are set to worsen. Catastrophic conditions have been declared in NSW for Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, and Southern Ranges.Today, conditions in NSW are set to worsen. Catastrophic conditions have been declared in NSW for Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, and Southern Ranges.
This is only the second time catastrophic conditions have ever been declared for greater Sydney. The first time was last month. Catastrophic conditions are the equivalent of the conditions during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria.This is only the second time catastrophic conditions have ever been declared for greater Sydney. The first time was last month. Catastrophic conditions are the equivalent of the conditions during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria.
Fires continue to burn across multiple states. Stay safe out there, keep in tune to emergency radio, and follow the advice of your local fire authority.Fires continue to burn across multiple states. Stay safe out there, keep in tune to emergency radio, and follow the advice of your local fire authority.