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Australia fires: PM Scott Morrison sorry for holidaying during crisis Australia fires: PM Scott Morrison sorry for Hawaii holiday during crisis
(32 minutes later)
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for going on holiday while the country struggled with a mounting wildfire crisis.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for going on holiday while the country struggled with a mounting wildfire crisis.
Mr Morrison cut short his trip to Hawaii as criticism of him increased.Mr Morrison cut short his trip to Hawaii as criticism of him increased.
One person was found dead on Saturday and another was missing as wildfires raged on in three states.One person was found dead on Saturday and another was missing as wildfires raged on in three states.
Since September, Australia's bushfire emergency has killed at least nine people, destroyed more than 700 homes and scorched millions of hectares.Since September, Australia's bushfire emergency has killed at least nine people, destroyed more than 700 homes and scorched millions of hectares.
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.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.
What did PM Morrison say?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."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".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.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. "It's not a credible suggestion to make that link," he argued.
He also paid tribute to the two firefighters killed in New South Wales on Thursday. Many Australians have accused Scott Morrison's government of inaction on global warming, with criticism growing as a heatwave broke records across the country and worsened the fires.
"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. 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 intense.
What happened on Saturday? Firefighters' union leader Leighton Drury previously said Australia was "seeing an absolute lack of leadership from this government, and it is a disgrace".
Tributes paid to volunteers
Mr Morrison also paid tribute to Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, 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.
The two men 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.
What happened with the fires 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 were 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.
Saturday had been an "awful day", NSW fire chief Shane Fitzsimmons said. NSW fire chief Shane Fitzsimmons called it an "awful day".
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. 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 any journeys in the vicinities of fires.
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.
Who are the firefighters who lost their lives?
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.
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".
"[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.
Why is Morrison facing pressure 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.
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.
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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