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NSW fires live: roads closed and second person dead in South Australia bushfires – latest news NSW fires live: roads closed and second person dead in South Australia bushfires – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Emergency fire warnings have been issued for parts of NSW, including Greater Sydney, Victoria and South Australia, and the Australian weather forecast is for extreme temperaturesEmergency fire warnings have been issued for parts of NSW, including Greater Sydney, Victoria and South Australia, and the Australian weather forecast is for extreme temperatures
SA veterinarians say “it’s horrendous” in the state as they rescue wildlife, reports Royce Kurmelovs. SA premier Steven Marshall has cancelled his own planned Christmas holiday, according to AAP.
Marshall had been scheduled to leave this week for a holiday in New Zealand. But he said today he would stay in Adelaide while the fire emergency was active.
“My focus at the moment is not on my Christmas holidays,” he said earlier. “It’s trying to make sure we get through this difficult period.”
There are reports now that NSW departmental employees have been telling people at evacuation centres not to speak to media.
That’s even if the residents are happy to talk.
The ABC’s Isobel Roe, Selby Stewart and Rhett Burnie have all shared their experiences of this happening yesterday.
Staff at the centres were welcoming, they clarify.
AAP reports that tonight’s Big Bash match in Canberra may be called off due to smoke.
Haze resulting from bushfires will be discussed in the pre-match medical briefing at Manuka Oval, where the game between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers is slated to start at 6.10pm AEDT, AAP reports.
If visibility is too poor and/or Air Quality Index (AQI) data is too alarming, then play will not go ahead. The pre-match briefing at Manuka Oval is due to take place at 5.10pm AEDT on Saturday night.
In weather news, the southerly has come through Nowra. It will reach Sydney at 5pm, the Hunter region at 8pm and the mid-north coast closer to midnight.
This will change wind directions and worsen fires, the RFS and bureau say.
SA veterinarians say it is “horrendous” in the state as they rescue wildlife, reports Royce Kurmelovs.
The South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (Savem) is a response and recovery agency for Australian wildlife that has been activated by the South Australian government.The South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (Savem) is a response and recovery agency for Australian wildlife that has been activated by the South Australian government.
Savem is a group entirely volunteer group of veterinarians who work to rescue and treat wildlife caught up in bushfires. Savem is a volunteer group of veterinarians who work to rescue and treat wildlife caught up in bushfires.
Dr Rachel Westcott, the groups’s coordinator, said she has two staff doing reconnaissance today with two strike teams of 25 or 30 people to be sent out tomorrow when access to the area has been permitted by the CFS. Dr Rachel Westcott, the groups’s coordinator, said she had two staff doing reconnaissance today, with two strike teams of 25 or 30 people to be sent out tomorrow when access to the area has been permitted by the CFS.
“It’s horrendous. It’s very bad. I have not been out there yet. I’m a practicing vet, so I’m wrapping up my work today so I can be there tomorrow. We have our operations manager and nursing coordinator surveying the situation.” “It’s horrendous – it’s very bad,” she said. “I have not been out there yet. I’m a practising vet, so I’m wrapping up my work today so I can be there tomorrow. We have our operations manager and nursing coordinator surveying the situation.”
An updated emergency warning from Victoria: properties are now impacted in Tambo Crossing.An updated emergency warning from Victoria: properties are now impacted in Tambo Crossing.
The fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction and impacting private property in Tambo Crossing, the CFA says.The fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction and impacting private property in Tambo Crossing, the CFA says.
“The Great Alpine Road is closed between Ensay and Bruthen. If you are leaving from the Ensay area, travel north towards Omeo on the Great Alpine Road.”“The Great Alpine Road is closed between Ensay and Bruthen. If you are leaving from the Ensay area, travel north towards Omeo on the Great Alpine Road.”
And the Tianjara fire has now changed direction.And the Tianjara fire has now changed direction.
The southerly change has crossed the firegound and it is now moving north towards Terpentine Road.The southerly change has crossed the firegound and it is now moving north towards Terpentine Road.
For those in Wandandian and Jerrawangala, it is too late to leave.For those in Wandandian and Jerrawangala, it is too late to leave.
There are six fires currently at emergency level in NSW, after conditions worsened this afternoon.There are six fires currently at emergency level in NSW, after conditions worsened this afternoon.
The Grose Valley fire and Upper Turon Road fires were upgraded 20 minutes ago to emergency.The Grose Valley fire and Upper Turon Road fires were upgraded 20 minutes ago to emergency.
At the Grose Valley fire, fire activity is increasing along Hat Hill Road in Blackheath. Fire activity is increasing all across the Upper Turon Road fireground and there is a risk of ember attack near Razorback Road and Cherry Tree Hill.At the Grose Valley fire, fire activity is increasing along Hat Hill Road in Blackheath. Fire activity is increasing all across the Upper Turon Road fireground and there is a risk of ember attack near Razorback Road and Cherry Tree Hill.
The Currowan fire is increasing in both the north-east (Fishermans Paradise and Cunjurong Point) and south-west (Braidwood) corners of the fire.The Currowan fire is increasing in both the north-east (Fishermans Paradise and Cunjurong Point) and south-west (Braidwood) corners of the fire.
At the same time, the Green Wattle Creek fire, which was already at emergency, is approaching Yanderra.At the same time, the Green Wattle Creek fire, which was already at emergency, is approaching Yanderra.
McCormack also confirms that Morrison will arrive back in Australia today.McCormack also confirms that Morrison will arrive back in Australia today.
“He is on his way back to the country and that is a good thing,” he says. “No-one could have envisaged the week we have had.“He is on his way back to the country and that is a good thing,” he says. “No-one could have envisaged the week we have had.
“Everyone is entitled to holiday – many people, not just politicians, take a break. He will be back today.”“Everyone is entitled to holiday – many people, not just politicians, take a break. He will be back today.”
Michael McCormack is asked if he believes we can do more to combat climate change.Michael McCormack is asked if he believes we can do more to combat climate change.
“Yes, I do,” he says.“Yes, I do,” he says.
But he says the important thing for now is “to put fires out”.But he says the important thing for now is “to put fires out”.
He also says climate change is not the only factor. Other factors include lighting and even “self-combusting horse manure” – a point he made on Thursday as well.He also says climate change is not the only factor. Other factors include lighting and even “self-combusting horse manure” – a point he made on Thursday as well.
“For those running around saying we should abandon coal right now, what are we going to do with our electricity over summer if we shut them all down today? Coal provides almost two-thirds of our energy needs.”“For those running around saying we should abandon coal right now, what are we going to do with our electricity over summer if we shut them all down today? Coal provides almost two-thirds of our energy needs.”
As for the coalition of former fire chiefs, including Greg Mullins, who are urging action on climate change and a shift to renewables, McCormack says: “Let’s remember they are funded by Tim Flannery.”As for the coalition of former fire chiefs, including Greg Mullins, who are urging action on climate change and a shift to renewables, McCormack says: “Let’s remember they are funded by Tim Flannery.”
But he agrees we do need more action on climate change – “whatever that may be”, in the words of the reporter.But he agrees we do need more action on climate change – “whatever that may be”, in the words of the reporter.
Hi all, Naaman Zhou back here. Thanks to Luke Henriques-Gomes for his work on the blog just then.Hi all, Naaman Zhou back here. Thanks to Luke Henriques-Gomes for his work on the blog just then.
Michael McCormack fronted the media in Wagga Wagga earlier. The ABC is broadcasting the press conference now.Michael McCormack fronted the media in Wagga Wagga earlier. The ABC is broadcasting the press conference now.
Littleproud is also asked whether Australia should do more to combat climate change. He says the government is committed to meeting the Paris targets. When asked if, yes or no, the government believes more can be done, he dodges the question.Littleproud is also asked whether Australia should do more to combat climate change. He says the government is committed to meeting the Paris targets. When asked if, yes or no, the government believes more can be done, he dodges the question.
But Littleproud says climate change has “been a contributing factor” to the current fires.But Littleproud says climate change has “been a contributing factor” to the current fires.
You might remember these comments he made on the same topic three months ago.You might remember these comments he made on the same topic three months ago.
Littleproud has defended Scott Morrison for going on holiday to Hawaii during the fire crisis.
Asked if he would have gone on holidays to Hawaii, Littleproud says: “The reality is the operational management of fires sits with the state governments and they do an exemplary job.
“We need to get out of their hair at times. There comes times when too many politicians are around.”
David Littleproud, the minister for natural disaster and emergency management, is at Sydney airport awaiting the arrival of firefighters from Canada who will be on the ground helping their Australian counterparts from Sunday morning.
Pressed on whether firefighting resources are adequate, Littleproud acknowledges that if the fires carry on, “we are going to continue to be stretched”.
The 30 Canadian firefighters will be joining nine from the United States who are also assisting the effort in NSW.
Another dispatch from Royce Kurmelovs in Adelaide:
Denis Noble, 76, spent yesterday fighting bushfires near his home in Charleston in the Adelaide Hills. Denis and his wife had only moved into the property a week ago when they watched the blaze come over the hill in the morning and slowly engulf the paddock across the road from his house.
Their neighbours, who are in their 30s and 40s, helped fight the blaze.
“It came slowly, inexorably towards us,” Denis said. “We’re oldies. They’re full of energy and tearing around with buckets. Everybody pitched in to stop the fire and it stopped at the roadway. It was a good way to get to know the new neighbours.”
Denis’s son, Andrew, who also works as a paramedic, has been fighting the Cudlee Creek fires with the CFS as part of the Basket Range CFS brigade, which are currently deployed around Birdwood.
This morning Denis and his wife drove into Stirling as the power to their property had been cut and there was no mobile service. On the way they drove past two properties that had been destroyed.
“It was devastating to see,” Denis said. “We saw at least two houses that were just a pile of wreckage. It breaks your heart to see that, because you know it’s been someone’s residence for quite some time and you don’t like to think of what they lost.”
An emergency warning has been issued for the fire at Tianjara, south-west of Nowra.
The NSW RFS says: “The fire is burning towards Wandandian and Jerrawangala. It is too late to leave – seek shelter. Sussex Inlet Road is now closed. It is too dangerous to leave.”
Residents in Sussex Inlet are being urged to remain there. “There is no immediate threat to Sussex Inlet,” the RFS says.
Hi all, it’s Luke Henriques-Gomes here. I’ll be taking over from Naaman while he has a well-earned break.
If you want to bring something to my attention, please send me an email at luke.henriques-gomes@theguardian.com or get in touch on Twitter (@lukehgomes).
A frank exchange of views here on Sunrise about Scott Morrison’s holiday to Hawaii.
“He decides to apologise yesterday. I didn’t think he had any reason to apologise to anyone,” says 2GB’s Chris Smith.
“Hawaii, that strip in Honolulu is so small, if you want to see someone who is in Hawaii, you just go to that strip and see them. It’s a very small place.”
Smith declares it “the biggest beat-up I have seen in 40 years”.
Gretel Killeen says she is “gobsmacked” at both Smith and host Bazil Zempilas’s opinion.
“I am confounded at what your understanding of leadership is?” she asks.
“Chris, yelling at me will not convince me. The majority of the country agrees ... the surveys show that.”
Protesters have gathered for a second day outside Kirribilli House in Sydney.
Many are holding placards and posters attacking the prime minister for inaction on climate change and a lack of leadership during this week’s bushfire crisis. Protesters are chanting: “The oceans are rising, no more compromising.”
Protesters also gathered on Thursday, when 13-year-old Izzy Raj-Seppings was given a move-on order from police.