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Australia bushfires: catastrophic conditions declared for NSW after horror day – live Australia fires: catastrophic conditions declared for NSW bushfires after horror day – live
(32 minutes later)
Emergency warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia Emergency fire warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales, including Greater Sydney, Victoria and South Australia
From Adelaide, correspondent Royce Kurmelovs has the latest:
CFS crews have battled the flames in the Adelaide Hills well into the night as the fire has burnt unchecked across 25,000 hectares. While conditions eased overnight, those flying into Adelaide could see the flames from the air as the fire burned out of control.
The area of Cudlee Creek is rough terrain which has made the blaze difficult to control, while the extreme conditions of previous days has given it more ferocity. The blaze was downgraded to Watch and Act at 5am, though windy conditions this morning mean it remains uncontained.
Residents of the area have been left with a nervous wait for news of their homes, with reports of many having been lost. Road closures remain in effect as large trees are blocking roads, while the ground continues to smoulder even in areas which may appear clear.
A community meeting will be held at the Oakbank area school at 1.30pm and while there is no information about property damage available, the CFS will be deploying Rapid Damage Assessment Teams today to take stock.
Meanwhile, the blaze sparked by a lightning strike on Kangaroo Island continues to burn. The CFS says there are “quite a few” fires burning in the area and that a reconnaissance flight is planned for today to assess the situation.
The NSW RFS has set up an official fundraising portal for the families of the two volunteers – Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer – who were killed on Thursday while on duty at the Green Wattle Creek fire.
The link is here.
“All funds received will be equally distributed between the spouses of Geoffrey and Andrew, and tax receipts will be issued to donors,” the RFS said. “Both Geoffrey and Andrew leave behind loving partners and very young children.”
Geoffrey Keaton was 32 years old, joined the RFS in 2006 and was deputy captain of the Horsley Park brigade. Andrew O’Dwyer was 36 and joined the RFS in 2003.
And at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney last night, a touching tribute was held for the two firefighters during the Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United A-League match.
And for more on the communications kerfuffle and the PR disaster of the PM’s trip, Amy Remeikis has the definitive read.
Anthony Albanese has criticised Scott Morrison’s office for a lack of transparency, and for what he called “misinformation” over the PM’s Hawaii holiday.
Earlier this week, Albanese said he would not attack the holiday itself, and Morrison was entitled to one, but it was the lack of information that was the issue. On a 2GB radio interview yesterday, Morrison said he would return “as soon as possible”, and said he texted Albanese’s office on Monday to let him know of his vacation.
Today, Albanese has doubled down, as uncertainty still swirls as to when Morrison will precisely return to the top job.
“Michael McCormack, for a while there, his office wouldn’t even confirm that he was acting PM,” he says. “The usual protocols have not been followed.”
“Media enquiries were met with misinformation, at best,” Albanese says.
The New Daily’s Samantha Maiden was told over text by the PM’ss office that Morrison was not in Hawaii, and that those claims were “wrong” – when she asked them for confirmation earlier.
It was then confirmed that the PM was in fact in Hawaii. And he was last sighted still on the island at 7am AEDT today.
“This is the government that doesn’t like scrutiny,” Albanese said. “It hides from transparency and it is not good enough.”
“The problem with this government is that it is not prepared to acknowledged that this is not business as usual,” Albanese says.
He says the government needs to “get its act together on climate change and energy”.
The Labor leader adds that he would guarantee extra funding for fire services.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is speaking now. He says he received a briefing yesterday from federal authorities that holidaymakers – especially in the Shoalhaven coast – should reconsider plans.
“It will be a circumstance where we don’t want people driving into dangerous areas,” he says.
40C heat and heavy smoke in Canberra have sparked an official health alert from ACT Health. The second in a row after yesterday.40C heat and heavy smoke in Canberra have sparked an official health alert from ACT Health. The second in a row after yesterday.
“People who are sensitive to smoke, especially those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions, should take extra care and stay indoors where possible and take medication prescribed by their doctor,” ACT Health says.“People who are sensitive to smoke, especially those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions, should take extra care and stay indoors where possible and take medication prescribed by their doctor,” ACT Health says.
And across NSW, that heat is rising.And across NSW, that heat is rising.
And over night, SA premier Steven Marshall confirmed that a man who was killed in a car crash yesterday was a 24-year-old man from Queensland.And over night, SA premier Steven Marshall confirmed that a man who was killed in a car crash yesterday was a 24-year-old man from Queensland.
Police said he crashed into a tree off the Mallee Highway near Lameroo about 2.30pm.Police said he crashed into a tree off the Mallee Highway near Lameroo about 2.30pm.
ABC reports that four properties have been confirmed destroyed in South Australia.ABC reports that four properties have been confirmed destroyed in South Australia.
Two major fires are still burning and posing a threat to lives and homes.Two major fires are still burning and posing a threat to lives and homes.
The Country Fire Service has advised that there is a threat to lives on the northern side of Kangaroo Island, where a fire is burning at emergency level.The Country Fire Service has advised that there is a threat to lives on the northern side of Kangaroo Island, where a fire is burning at emergency level.
That includes Cape Forbin and Emu Bay, including Snelling Beach, King George Beach, Stokes Bay Hummocky Point, White Cliffs, Dashwood Bay, Smith Beach, Wisanger and the Emu Bay township.That includes Cape Forbin and Emu Bay, including Snelling Beach, King George Beach, Stokes Bay Hummocky Point, White Cliffs, Dashwood Bay, Smith Beach, Wisanger and the Emu Bay township.
In Victoria, the Marthavale fire in East Gisppsland quadrupled in size overnight, according to the Country Fire Authority.In Victoria, the Marthavale fire in East Gisppsland quadrupled in size overnight, according to the Country Fire Authority.
Incident controller Bernard Barbetti told the ABC it flared up after a wind change.Incident controller Bernard Barbetti told the ABC it flared up after a wind change.
“It has spotted out into the private land but we’ve had firefighters at Tambo Crossing over night and at Ensay and at the moment we’re not aware of any losses,” he said.“It has spotted out into the private land but we’ve had firefighters at Tambo Crossing over night and at Ensay and at the moment we’re not aware of any losses,” he said.
Emergency services commissioner Andrew Crisp said firefighters were facing “a long, long way to go”.Emergency services commissioner Andrew Crisp said firefighters were facing “a long, long way to go”.
Currently, the Mathavale-Barmouth Spur fire is at emergency.Currently, the Mathavale-Barmouth Spur fire is at emergency.
It is out of control and travelling in a north easterly direction towards Ensay.It is out of control and travelling in a north easterly direction towards Ensay.
The CFA are telling residents: “The Great Alpine Road is closed between Bruthen and Ensay. If you are leaving from the Ensay area travel north towards Omeo on the Great Alpine Road.The CFA are telling residents: “The Great Alpine Road is closed between Bruthen and Ensay. If you are leaving from the Ensay area travel north towards Omeo on the Great Alpine Road.
“There is increased fire activity throughout the landscape and many tracks in the surrounding area are closed. Avoid entering the forest areas as the situation may change rapidly due to spot fires.“There is increased fire activity throughout the landscape and many tracks in the surrounding area are closed. Avoid entering the forest areas as the situation may change rapidly due to spot fires.
A relief centre is open at the Omeo Memorial Hall in Omeo.A relief centre is open at the Omeo Memorial Hall in Omeo.
A round-up of the fires as they stand at the moment.A round-up of the fires as they stand at the moment.
In Victoria, two fires are at emergency, both in East Gippsland.In Victoria, two fires are at emergency, both in East Gippsland.
In SA, a fire on Kangaroo Island is at emergency, while the Cudlee Creek fire in the Adelaide Hills is at watch and act.In SA, a fire on Kangaroo Island is at emergency, while the Cudlee Creek fire in the Adelaide Hills is at watch and act.
In New South Wales, two watch and act warnings are in place for Gospers Mountain fire and Green Wattle Creek. Gospers Mountain was only downgraded 30 minutes ago.In New South Wales, two watch and act warnings are in place for Gospers Mountain fire and Green Wattle Creek. Gospers Mountain was only downgraded 30 minutes ago.
There is an emergency warning in Victoria for the Marthavale-Barmouth Spur fire.There is an emergency warning in Victoria for the Marthavale-Barmouth Spur fire.
The warning is for Ensay, Ensay North, Ensay South, Reedy Flat, Stirling and Holstons.The warning is for Ensay, Ensay North, Ensay South, Reedy Flat, Stirling and Holstons.
In good news, the Gospers Mountain fire has been downgraded to watch and act.
“The immediate threat has eased” for Lithgow, Hermitage Flat, McKellars Park & Cobar Park, the RFS says.
Berejiklian also thanked people who had changed plans and avoided roads.
“The best thing we can do to support all of our volunteers and emergency service personnel on the ground is to take their advice,” she said.
“We don’t want anyone to unintentionally get themselves in harm’s way. I want to thank everyone who may have changed their plans or heeded advice because we don’t want anyone to unintentionally find themselves or a loved one in danger today.”
There are road closures all across the country today.
And in a press conference earlier today, the New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, told residents to please be aware of the 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.