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Australia fires live: NSW firefighter dies as emergency warnings in place for Tasmania, Victoria bushfires – latest Australia fires live: NSW firefighter dies as emergency warnings in place for Tasmania, Victoria bushfires – latest
(30 minutes later)
An emergency warning is current for Bundoora in the northern suburbs of Melbourne as fires spread across East Gippsland, where Vic Emergency has ordered a mass evacuationAn emergency warning is current for Bundoora in the northern suburbs of Melbourne as fires spread across East Gippsland, where Vic Emergency has ordered a mass evacuation
The NSW RFS has released a little more information about the incident near Jingellic in the state’s south, where a firefighter died this evening.
The two firefighters who were injured, suffering burns, have been taken to hospital. A second vehicle working in the area was also blown over by the extreme winds associated with the fire and the firefighter on board has also been taken to hospital.
“The service’s thoughts are with all the firefighters’ families, friends, and fellow brigade members,” the RFS said.
There are 14 emergency warnings in the state of Victoria due to these awful bushfires.
The most recent warning from the CFA is for those in and around Mallacoota where it is too late to leave and people must take shelter indoors immediately to survive.
“Leaving now would be deadly,” the CFA said.
The Genoa-Mallacoota Road is closed, so there is no way in or out.
The bushfire is travelling from Wingan River towards Mallacoota, and there is potential for lightning associated with fire smoke.
A south-westerly wind change is expected to reach Mallacoota by 4am, with winds gusting at 40-60km/h.
This warning was issued for Genoa, Gipsy Point, Karbethong, Lake View, Mallacoota, Maramingo Creek, Wallagaraugh, Wangarabell, Wingan River and Wroxham.
(Note, with the photo below, Rachel Hocking has corrected to say it was taken at Tamboon, about 20km from Lakes Entrance.)
The Tasmanian Fire Service says there are unconfirmed reports of houses having been lost at Mangana, near Fingal, in the state’s north-east.The Tasmanian Fire Service says there are unconfirmed reports of houses having been lost at Mangana, near Fingal, in the state’s north-east.
Peter Middleton, from the fire service, told local ABC the fire danger in affected parts of the state was in the very high-to-severe range and would continue into the night.Peter Middleton, from the fire service, told local ABC the fire danger in affected parts of the state was in the very high-to-severe range and would continue into the night.
As previously reported, Fingal, Mangana and Tower Hill are considered at severe risk over the next 90 minutes. An evacuation centre at Fingal has been moved east to St Marys hall.As previously reported, Fingal, Mangana and Tower Hill are considered at severe risk over the next 90 minutes. An evacuation centre at Fingal has been moved east to St Marys hall.
Middleton said: “We’ve heard there are possible house losses… but certainly don’t have anything confirmed to say how many.”Middleton said: “We’ve heard there are possible house losses… but certainly don’t have anything confirmed to say how many.”
The state’s other significant fire, near Pelham, is heading towards Elderslie and Broadmarsh, fanned by a strong westerly. “There is serious concern for those areas because of the winds we’re getting at the moment,” Middleton said.The state’s other significant fire, near Pelham, is heading towards Elderslie and Broadmarsh, fanned by a strong westerly. “There is serious concern for those areas because of the winds we’re getting at the moment,” Middleton said.
The evacuation centre for the Pelham fire is at Brighton Civic Centre.The evacuation centre for the Pelham fire is at Brighton Civic Centre.
A NSW firefighter has died and two others have suffered burns while battling the fire at Jingellic, east of Albury.A NSW firefighter has died and two others have suffered burns while battling the fire at Jingellic, east of Albury.
The RFS said it’s believed their truck was hit by extreme winds and rolled.The RFS said it’s believed their truck was hit by extreme winds and rolled.
This is a fire that has crossed the state border into Victoria, and is threatening Walwa, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Cudgewa, Burrowye, where residents have been told they should evacuate immediately.This is a fire that has crossed the state border into Victoria, and is threatening Walwa, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Cudgewa, Burrowye, where residents have been told they should evacuate immediately.
There are four emergency warnings in Tasmania, stemming from two fires.There are four emergency warnings in Tasmania, stemming from two fires.
A bushfire will put Fingal as well as Mangana and Tower Hill at severe risk within the next 90 minutes, and will be difficult to control.A bushfire will put Fingal as well as Mangana and Tower Hill at severe risk within the next 90 minutes, and will be difficult to control.
And that Pelham fire in the south has also sparked two warnings. One for Elderslie and Broadmarsh, which are expected to come under high risk now and into the evening.And that Pelham fire in the south has also sparked two warnings. One for Elderslie and Broadmarsh, which are expected to come under high risk now and into the evening.
The second warning is for Pelham and surrounding areas. The TFS says this fire will put lives in danger and may destroy homes in Pelham as well as surrounding areas. It is fast moving and burning in a south-easterly direction towards Horners Road Bluff Road, Elderslie and Broadmarsh.The second warning is for Pelham and surrounding areas. The TFS says this fire will put lives in danger and may destroy homes in Pelham as well as surrounding areas. It is fast moving and burning in a south-easterly direction towards Horners Road Bluff Road, Elderslie and Broadmarsh.
“The fire is creating dangerous spot fires ahead of the main fire front.”“The fire is creating dangerous spot fires ahead of the main fire front.”
There is a new emergency warning for a fire in NSW, in the Bega Valley to the north of Bemboka. People in the area from Yankees Gap to Bemboka are advised to leave now towards Bega if that is their fire plan or if they are not prepared. People in Numbugga should watch out for embers and spot fires, and monitor conditions.There is a new emergency warning for a fire in NSW, in the Bega Valley to the north of Bemboka. People in the area from Yankees Gap to Bemboka are advised to leave now towards Bega if that is their fire plan or if they are not prepared. People in Numbugga should watch out for embers and spot fires, and monitor conditions.
According to Live Traffic, the Snowy Mountains Highway is closed in both directions from Steeple Flat to Bega, between Monaro Highway and Princes Highway.According to Live Traffic, the Snowy Mountains Highway is closed in both directions from Steeple Flat to Bega, between Monaro Highway and Princes Highway.
The NSW RFS has published a series of pretty worrying maps ahead of conditions worsening tomorrow.The NSW RFS has published a series of pretty worrying maps ahead of conditions worsening tomorrow.
With fires burning around the border region of NSW and Victoria, we are starting to see single fires burning in two states. We’ll do our best to stay on top of those, but bear in mind the separate state fire authorities give different names to the fires, with state-specific warnings and information.
The CFA has issued an emergency warning for Walwa, Mount Alfred, Guys Forest, Burrowye, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North and Tintaldra.
The fire is 13km west-north-west of Walwa (referred to in NSW as the emergency level fire at Green Valle, Talmalmo) and is not under control. It has crossed the border and is moving in a south-easterly direction towards Walwa and Shelley Walwa Road.
The CFA warns it could impact Walwa within the next three hours, and that leaving now is the safest option.
The NSW RFS describes this fire as burning in the Jingellic area to the east of Albury, increasing in the area of River Road on the north side of the Murray River, where crews are working to protect property.
It is too late to leave for NSW residents in the area of River Road and Jingellic. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
We are hearing reports on the ground that the fire is within 10km of Bairnsdale.
At 2.30pm, Gippsland fire incident controller Ben Rankin said the fire had yet to leave public land, apart from the occasional spot fire in a paddock at Tambo Crossing.
Jenny and Alan Blair were planning to leave their house on Orrs Road, Wy Yung, when embers began to fall in their backyard. They did not last that long.
At 4pm, Jenny says, she looked outside and saw two huge columns of smoke, from the Barmouth Spur and W Tree fires, bearing down on their 15-acre property.
“We didn’t see embers but we just saw that,” Jennys says.
“It was like: look, we have to go now.”
Alan was planning to stay, but changed his mind when he saw the scale of the fire. Soon after they left, a neighbour who remained said the fire had reached Orrs Road. It’s a long road, says Jenny.
The house might be OK. Or it might not.
They are staying with their son in the other side of town.
“We have a spare room that we were planning to offer to people who need it,” Jenny said. “Now we’ll be in someone’s spare room.”
While the Sydney fireworks are going ahead, National Parks and Wildlife have decided to close the viewing areas at North Head and Bradley’s Head (ticket holders for the latter will be refunded).
This decision was made in the interest of public safety due to the severe fire danger and very high winds predicted for tomorrow.
Emergency vehicles, residents, and Q Station guests will still have access to North Head Scenic Drive, but that road and the top part of Darley Road will be closed from 8am.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has given the green light to Sydney’s New Years Eve fireworks show tomorrow.
Regional fireworks shows have been cancelled or postponed across the state because of the fire risk, and just a few hours ago the Parramatta city council also announced they were cancelling their show. This morning the deputy premier, John Barilaro, said it was “an easy decision” and called for Sydney’s to be canned.
But the City of Sydney – amid much debate – said it wouldn’t cancel unless the RFS asked them too.
A short time ago the RFS approved the event, and said they were assessing a few other exemptions to the total fire ban.
There are 11 emergency warnings for fires in Victoria, four in NSW, and one in Tasmania.
Victoria’s warnings are spread across the East Gippsland region, in suburban Melbourne, and in the Burrowa Pine Mountain national park.
The four in NSW are at Talmalmo, Dunns Road, Charleys Forest, and Wyndham.
Tasmania’s is at Pelham.
Over in the UK, the BBC has put climate change and the Australian bushfires at the top of its news agenda on Radio 4.
Back in November the BBC announced that Greta Thunberg would be a guest editor of its flagship radio news programme, Today.
The bushfire crisis here was the number two item, after climate change warnings from the governor of the reserve bank.
The programme’s producers also arranged for Thunberg to meet Sir David Attenborough.
Three houses have sustained minor damage in the bushfire at Bundoora.
“MFB and CFA firefighters remain on scene to continue tackling the blaze with a wind change expected to come through this evening,” the Melbourne Fire Brigade said.
A waterbombing aircraft is among more than 20 appliances on the scene in suburban Melbourne.
Chris Hopkins and Calla Wahlquist have been out at Bairnsdale today.
These photos from Hopkins show the 12km-high smoke plume from two merged fires - the W Tree fire and the Barmouth Spur fire.
Hobart is among a list of Tasmanian centres to have experienced their hottest December day on record, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
The temperature in the state capital peaked at 40.8C shortly before 2pm. The previous benchmark for December was 40.6C, set 122 years ago in 1897.
The unusually high Tasmanian temperatures meant all six states and the Northern Territory recorded temperatures north of 40C. It reached 41.9C in Adelaide and, at the time of writing, 40.8C in Melbourne. Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, hit 44.4C, and Alice Springs reached 42C.
The hottest place in the country was Onslow, in the Pilbara, with 46.9C. Marree, in northern South Australia, reached 46.7C; Birdsville, in south-west Queensland, 46.3C.
Jonathan How, forecaster with the bureau’s Australian weather desk, said it was not unusual for all mainland states to reach 40C on the same summer day but it was rare for Tasmania to join them. “It’s not something you see all the time,” he said.
The list of Tasmanian places to set maximum temperature records for December included Launceston (equalling the previously mark of 34.1C), Cape Bruny (39.2C) and Mount Wellington (28.6C).
In Victoria, there were new December highs at Wilsons Promontory (40.2C), Wangaratta (43.1C) and several centres in fire affected Gippsland including Bairnsdale (43.6C), Orbost (43.1C) and East Sale (43.5C).