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Australia fires: Death toll rises as fires sweep across three states Australia fires: PM Scott Morrison sorry for holidaying during crisis
(about 7 hours later)
One person has died and another is missing as wildfires continue to burn across three Australian states. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for going on holiday while the country struggled with a mounting wildfire crisis.
In New South Wales, sudden southerly winds fanned the flames of more than 100 blazes and fire officials said a man who had chosen to stay at his property could no longer be contacted. Mr Morrison cut short his trip to Hawaii as criticism of him increased.
Saturday had been an "awful day", NSW fire chief Shane Fitzsimmons said. One person was found dead on Saturday and another was missing as wildfires raged on in three states.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cut short a holiday in Hawaii after being criticised for leaving amid the crisis. Since September, Australia's bushfire emergency has killed at least nine people, destroyed more than 700 homes and scorched millions of hectares.
Earlier acting prime minister Michael McCormack conceded that more had to be done to tackle global warming, after many Australians linked the severity of this year's fires to climate change. Earlier, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack conceded that more had to be done to tackle global warming, after many Australians linked the severity of this year's fires to climate change.
Since September, Australia's bushfire emergency has killed at least nine people, destroyed more than 700 houses and scorched millions of hectares. What did PM Morrison say?
"I get it that people would have been upset to know that I was holidaying with my family while their families were under great stress," he said.
Speaking after a briefing with fire officials, he said he knew Australians were anxious about the fires but insisted that the emergency response was "the best in the world".
He conceded that climate change was contributing to changing weather patterns, but denied that it had directly caused Australia's wildfires.
"It's not a credible suggestion to make that link," he said.
He also paid tribute to the two firefighters killed in New South Wales on Thursday.
"When our volunteers go out there, they do it for so many reasons but I can't help thinking they do it for love of family. Family is community and they were out there defending their communities on that fateful night," he said.
What happened on Saturday?What happened on Saturday?
Rising temperatures and strong winds worsened fires in three states.Rising temperatures and strong winds worsened fires in three states.
In South Australia one person was found dead, another was critically injured and 15 homes had been destroyed about 40km (25 miles) east of the state capital of Adelaide. In South Australia one person was found dead, another was critically injured and 15 homes were destroyed about 40km (25 miles) east of the state capital of Adelaide.
In New South Wales a man was missing in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney after towns in the area were hit by an ember attack - when burning vegetation is blown ahead of the main blaze and starts new fires.In New South Wales a man was missing in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney after towns in the area were hit by an ember attack - when burning vegetation is blown ahead of the main blaze and starts new fires.
However the southerly winds later eased and by Saturday evening six fires in the state were deemed to be at emergency level - the second highest level of danger after catastrophic - including two near Sydney. Saturday had been an "awful day", NSW fire chief Shane Fitzsimmons said.
Winds later eased and by Saturday evening six fires in the state were deemed to be at emergency level - the second highest level of danger after catastrophic - including two near Sydney.
In Canberra a cricket match was called off because of poor air quality resulting from smoke from the fires.In Canberra a cricket match was called off because of poor air quality resulting from smoke from the fires.
New South Wales leader Gladys Berejiklian urged Christmas travellers to delay their journeys. New South Wales leader Gladys Berejiklian urged Christmas travellers to delay any journeys in the vicinities of fires.
"We are asking everybody not to travel on roads anywhere near the vicinity of an active fire unless you absolutely have to," she said.
In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since Friday. One of these was burning at an emergency level by Saturday afternoon.In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since Friday. One of these was burning at an emergency level by Saturday afternoon.
What is driving the fires?What is driving the fires?
A combination of temperatures above 40C, low humidity and strong winds have worsened the struggle for the 3,000 emergency personnel mobilised to deal with the bushfires in NSW.A combination of temperatures above 40C, low humidity and strong winds have worsened the struggle for the 3,000 emergency personnel mobilised to deal with the bushfires in NSW.
"We are in a period of unbelievable drought and some areas haven't seen rain for more than 12 months", NSW Rural Fire Services Inspector Ben Shepherd told the BBC."We are in a period of unbelievable drought and some areas haven't seen rain for more than 12 months", NSW Rural Fire Services Inspector Ben Shepherd told the BBC.
"These fires are likely to continue to spread well past Christmas", he added."These fires are likely to continue to spread well past Christmas", he added.
Some of the fires in NSW were generating their own thunderstorms, the Rural Fire Service said.Some of the fires in NSW were generating their own thunderstorms, the Rural Fire Service said.
Conditions were expected to improve over the next few days ahead of another period of hot weather expected next week.Conditions were expected to improve over the next few days ahead of another period of hot weather expected next week.
"We will not get on top of these fires until we get some decent rain - we have said that for weeks and months," Mr Fitzsimmons said."We will not get on top of these fires until we get some decent rain - we have said that for weeks and months," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
However weather officials say no major rainfall is expected in the next two months.However weather officials say no major rainfall is expected in the next two months.
The Gospers Mountain mega fire has destroyed about 460,000 hectares (1.14 million acres) north-west of Sydney and fire officials said there was a risk it could merge with the Grose Valley fire in the Blue Mountains.The Gospers Mountain mega fire has destroyed about 460,000 hectares (1.14 million acres) north-west of Sydney and fire officials said there was a risk it could merge with the Grose Valley fire in the Blue Mountains.
What travel warnings have been issued? Who are the firefighters who lost their lives?
The states of NSW and South Australia are the focus of the travel warnings. Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, died in NSW on Thursday when their truck was hit by a falling tree near a fire front, causing it to roll off the road.
In NSW, several major roads and highways have been closed, including a section of the Princes Highway.
As of 03:00 (16:00 GMT), 22 roads and highways in NSW were affected by fire, according to a government website.
Roads have been closed in South Australia as well, with residents asked to monitor the government traffic website for updates.
"If members of the public attempt to enter the areas, they will be turned away, regardless of being property owners or business owners, due to specific safety reasons," a police official said.
Who are the victims?
Tributes have been paid to firefighters Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, who died when their truck was hit by a falling tree near a fire front, causing it to roll off the road.
Three other firefighters who were also in the vehicle survived with minor injuries.Three other firefighters who were also in the vehicle survived with minor injuries.
NSW fire commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said firefighters everywhere were grieving over the "huge loss" of the two young fathers, who were caught up in "the worst imaginable set of circumstances".NSW fire commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said firefighters everywhere were grieving over the "huge loss" of the two young fathers, who were caught up in "the worst imaginable set of circumstances".
"[They] simply went out, doing a remarkable job, like all their colleagues, and like they have done year-in, year-out, and to not be coming home after their shift is a tremendous grief," he said."[They] simply went out, doing a remarkable job, like all their colleagues, and like they have done year-in, year-out, and to not be coming home after their shift is a tremendous grief," he said.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said a person had been killed in Murraylands, when the car they were driving hit a tree. Another person died in the Charleston area of the Adelaide Hills, authorities said.
Why is Morrison facing pressure on climate change?Why is Morrison facing pressure on climate change?
Many Australians have accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government of inaction on climate change.Many Australians have accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government of inaction on climate change.
Last year, the UN reported that Australia was not on track to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement - the global deal to tackle rising global temperatures.Last year, the UN reported that Australia was not on track to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement - the global deal to tackle rising global temperatures.
Firefighters' union leader Leighton Drury said Australia was "seeing an absolute lack of leadership from this government and it is a disgrace".Firefighters' union leader Leighton Drury said Australia was "seeing an absolute lack of leadership from this government and it is a disgrace".
Criticism grew as a heatwave broke records across the country and exacerbated mammoth blazes, making the task even harder for exhausted firefighters - many of them volunteers.Criticism grew as a heatwave broke records across the country and exacerbated mammoth blazes, making the task even harder for exhausted firefighters - many of them volunteers.
Mr McCormack acknowledged that further action must be taken to combat climate change but said there was "a lot of hysteria" surrounding the issue.
"Climate change is not the only factor that has caused these fires. There has been dry lightning strikes, there has been self-combusting piles of manure, there has been a lot of arsonists out there causing fire," he said.
Although climate change is not the direct cause of bushfires, scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate would contribute to Australia's fires becoming more frequent and more intense.Although climate change is not the direct cause of bushfires, scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate would contribute to Australia's fires becoming more frequent and more intense.
Are you in the affected region? If it is safe to do so, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the affected region? If it is safe to do so, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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