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Australia fires: 23 firefighters injured in South Australia as second person confirmed dead in state – live | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Emergency fire warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales, including Greater Sydney, Victoria and South Australia. Follow for the latest news and updates | |
SA premier Steven Marshall ended that press conference by saying: “My focus at the moment is not on my Christmas holidays, it’s trying to make sure we get through this difficult period.” | |
Prominent racing identity John Glatz was also taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the SA premier said. The ABC is reporting that Glatz’s friends and family said he was in a serious condition. | |
Also in that press conference, CFS chief Mark Jobs said a dry lightning storm sparked eight separate fires on Kangaroo Island yesterday. That fire is now expected to burn for many more days. | |
CFS crews have been bolstered by metropolitan fire services today as well. | |
Twenty-three firefighters were injured yesterday, one seriously. | |
CFS chief Mark Jobs confirmed the injured firefighter was seriously hurt and remained in hospital. | |
“Against the catastrophic conditions and the backdrop of unprecedented challenge, it is remarkable so few of the firefighters and emergency responders were injured,” he said. “And I’m grateful that none seem to have been terribly so.” | |
He said the Cudlee Creek fire in the Adelaide Hills had burned through 25,000 hectares by 8am this morning. | |
“Three CFS trucks were burned out yesterday.” | |
SA police have confirmed that a person has died in the Charleston area in the Adelaide Hills and another is injured. Yesterday, a man died in a car crash near Lameroo. | |
Police are also in the process of visiting the area to see if any others are affected. There are 90 to 100 properties or calls they are following up on, police commissioner Grant Stevens says. | |
“Indications are at this stage that it may be a tree on power lines” that sparked it and the fire is not suspicious. | |
SA premier Steve Marshall confirmed that five homes, 28 buildings and 16 vehicles had been destroyed. | |
Stevens says 27 tier-1 road closures are currently in place across the state. “Tier-1 road closures mean only emergency services personnel are able to enter those locations,” he says. | |
From Adelaide, correspondent Royce Kurmelovs has the latest: | 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. | 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. | 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 available information about property damage, 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. | 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 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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 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. | 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. In a 2GB radio interview yesterday, Morrison said he would return “as soon as possible” and that 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 precisely when Morrison will return to the top job. | |
“Michael McCormack, for a while there, his office wouldn’t even confirm that he was acting PM,” Albanese says. “The usual protocols have not been followed. | |
“Media enquiries were met with misinformation, at best.” | |
The New Daily’s Samantha Maiden had, after asking for confirmation, been told over text by the PM’s office that Morrison was not in Hawaii and those claims were “wrong”. | |
It was then confirmed 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.” | “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. | “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”. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “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. | |
It 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.” | |
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. |