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Australia fires live: NSW, Victoria and SA bushfires rage as PM calls up ADF reserve – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW, Victoria and SA bushfires rage as PM calls up ADF reserve – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Scott Morrison has called up ADF reservists to help in the bushfire crisis. Two people have died in SA fires on Kangaroo Island, as New South Wales and Victoria face more horrendous conditions. Follow live news and latest updatesScott Morrison has called up ADF reservists to help in the bushfire crisis. Two people have died in SA fires on Kangaroo Island, as New South Wales and Victoria face more horrendous conditions. Follow live news and latest updates
Global superstar Pink has offered $500,000 to Australian fire services battling bushfires on the frontline. Pink said she was “devastated” at the horrific bushfires tearing across Australia. It’s a pretty extraordinary gesture. She’s also encouraged her millions of fans to donate too.
Some good news out of Victoria. The bushfire around Dargo and Tabberabbera, in the state’s east, has been downgraded from emergency warning to watch and act, after conditions eased.
The RFS is reporting that southerly change is causing wind gusts of up to 75km/h near Nowra.
It has warned the change will push many fires generally in a more northerly direction. It will create dangerous conditions.
Reporter Helen Davidson is just south of Nowra. That southerly change sweeping up the NSW coast has just hit. The wind gusts are fierce. The vision is scary.
Mike Bowers and Michael McGowan are still out near the fire front at the Snowies, near Adaminaby. They report the fire has broken out of the National Park along the Yaouk Road, to the town’s north.
Just a little more on the power outages in NSW. The extreme heat conditions are causing power outages across NSW, including parts of Sydney. In Hornsby and Normanhurst, power outages are expected to last until about 8pm.
Crews are also working to restore power in Bexley North and Kingsgrove, Campsie, Canterbury and Earlwood.
Authorities are strongly advising residents to avoid unnecessary power use. Do you need your air conditioning on full bore? Is your pool pump operating unnecessarily? It’s time to start thinking about how you can reduce demand on the grid.
Hi everyone, it’s Christopher Knaus here taking over our live coverage for the evening.
It will be a nervous night, particularly for those on the NSW South Coast and in the Snowy Mountains region, where, in some places, the vast, out-of-control bushfires have blackened the sky hours before nightfall.
The NSW RFS incident map paints a terrifying picture as we head into the night.
There are roughly 150 fires burning across NSW. Thirteen emergency warnings have been issued for fires, largely on the NSW south coast, but also for the Dunns Road and East Ournie Creek fires in the Snowy Valleys. The vast Green Wattle Creek fire is threatening to creep towards towns in the southern highlands, including Mittagong, as well as Wombeyan Caves, Bullio, Joadja and surrounding areas.
A southerly change continues to move slowly up the NSW coast, bringing with it strong wind gusts - forecast to reach up to 90km/h - and considerable uncertainty as fire fronts shift and change. The southerly most recently reached the Ulladulla and Jervis Bay regions. Early reports suggest the winds have not been as strong as first feared.
In Victoria, about 53 fires continue to burn this evening, particularly in Gippsland region. In Corryong, reports suggest that homes have been lost. That fire continues to cause considerable concern, as do fires in Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham, and East Gippsland.
We still have reporters and photographers across the worst hit areas to bring you up to speed on the latest developments. Stay with us.
It’s been a big day, with a challenging night to come.It’s been a big day, with a challenging night to come.
Let’s take stock.Let’s take stock.
There were two confirmed fatalities on Kangaroo Island, with the blaze also wiping out much of the national park.There were two confirmed fatalities on Kangaroo Island, with the blaze also wiping out much of the national park.
Substantial fires continue to burn in NSW and Victoria, and authorities warn conditions tonight remain dangerous. Fire thunderstorms have formed both on the south coast and the Snowy. There could also be power disruptions because of damage to substations in the Snowy region. Authorities have requested people take pressure off the system when they can by reducing demand, otherwise there could be load shedding – a challenging request given record temperatures in Canberra and sweltering conditions in Sydney.Substantial fires continue to burn in NSW and Victoria, and authorities warn conditions tonight remain dangerous. Fire thunderstorms have formed both on the south coast and the Snowy. There could also be power disruptions because of damage to substations in the Snowy region. Authorities have requested people take pressure off the system when they can by reducing demand, otherwise there could be load shedding – a challenging request given record temperatures in Canberra and sweltering conditions in Sydney.
In Victoria, the number of fatalities remains at two, and six people are missing, revised down from 28.In Victoria, the number of fatalities remains at two, and six people are missing, revised down from 28.
Scott Morrison – who has been criticised for lacking the requisite leadership in the crisis – called out the ADF reserve, and changed the posture of the Commonwealth’s emergency response to be more forward leaning. The government deployed defence assets and funded more water bombers to assist the containment exercise. He also found time to put together an advertisement.Scott Morrison – who has been criticised for lacking the requisite leadership in the crisis – called out the ADF reserve, and changed the posture of the Commonwealth’s emergency response to be more forward leaning. The government deployed defence assets and funded more water bombers to assist the containment exercise. He also found time to put together an advertisement.
Thanks to colleagues in the field today: the two Mikes McGowan and Bowers, Helen Davidson and Jessica Hromas, Luke Henriques-Gomes in Victoria and Ben Doherty in Sydney, and to the news production team in Sydney.Thanks to colleagues in the field today: the two Mikes McGowan and Bowers, Helen Davidson and Jessica Hromas, Luke Henriques-Gomes in Victoria and Ben Doherty in Sydney, and to the news production team in Sydney.
Please follow advice and stay safe. Please. Stay connected and follow instructions from authorities that could save your life. I’ll go back to hosing the dehydrated magpies. Over to Chris Knaus for the night shift.Please follow advice and stay safe. Please. Stay connected and follow instructions from authorities that could save your life. I’ll go back to hosing the dehydrated magpies. Over to Chris Knaus for the night shift.
Back to Nowra. Mark Coombes, NSW Fire and Rescue’s divisional commander for the north recently addressed a new shift of firefighters here. “Right here we are the meat in the sandwich, so thanks for coming down.”Back to Nowra. Mark Coombes, NSW Fire and Rescue’s divisional commander for the north recently addressed a new shift of firefighters here. “Right here we are the meat in the sandwich, so thanks for coming down.”
Around Nowra and further south, dozens of new fires sparked this afternoon. On the Princes Highway huge, dark columns of smoke were on the horizon in every direction. The road is closed south of Jervis Bay road, so we wound our way through the bushland between Jervis Bay and the highway, towards Bewong.Around Nowra and further south, dozens of new fires sparked this afternoon. On the Princes Highway huge, dark columns of smoke were on the horizon in every direction. The road is closed south of Jervis Bay road, so we wound our way through the bushland between Jervis Bay and the highway, towards Bewong.
The Currowan fire jumped the Shoalhaven river earlier this afternoon near Illaroo farm, with flames more than 20m into the air.The Currowan fire jumped the Shoalhaven river earlier this afternoon near Illaroo farm, with flames more than 20m into the air.
At St George’s basin residents who stayed behind are in gardens and on roofs, hosing down houses and trees as text messages come through warning everyone from Nowra to Kiola about 90km south to take shelter. The enormous flank of the Currowan fire, and related blazes, is moving east. At its northern end, near Nowra, the fire generated its own thunderstorm.At St George’s basin residents who stayed behind are in gardens and on roofs, hosing down houses and trees as text messages come through warning everyone from Nowra to Kiola about 90km south to take shelter. The enormous flank of the Currowan fire, and related blazes, is moving east. At its northern end, near Nowra, the fire generated its own thunderstorm.
The southerly change, due around nine or nine thirty with 80 km/h gusts to enrage the fires, isn’t even here yet.The southerly change, due around nine or nine thirty with 80 km/h gusts to enrage the fires, isn’t even here yet.
“Fire intensity is going to be right up there, very comparable to what’s been happening today on this side of it”, said Coombes.“Fire intensity is going to be right up there, very comparable to what’s been happening today on this side of it”, said Coombes.
“There’s been a bit of information from the north side of the river of flame heights around 40 metres.”“There’s been a bit of information from the north side of the river of flame heights around 40 metres.”
The fire was recently behind Tomerong, and they are worried that if the fire gets on the eastern side of the highway there will be serious problems with protecting property.The fire was recently behind Tomerong, and they are worried that if the fire gets on the eastern side of the highway there will be serious problems with protecting property.
That’s the guts of Victoria. I’m going to hand over shortly to my colleague Chris Knaus to take you through tonight, but before I do that, Helen Davidson has an update, and I will post a summary. Hang five.That’s the guts of Victoria. I’m going to hand over shortly to my colleague Chris Knaus to take you through tonight, but before I do that, Helen Davidson has an update, and I will post a summary. Hang five.
The ADF says at this stage, it has not been able to conduct fixed wing sorties into Mallacoota due to smoke impeding the air operations. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow, and people will be able to be evacuated by air. “In the meantime, as soon as our rotary wing helicopter assets are relieved of tasks such as evacuating people from Omeo, they will return to the more logistics and support tasks, for example taking stores into Mallacoota.”The ADF says at this stage, it has not been able to conduct fixed wing sorties into Mallacoota due to smoke impeding the air operations. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow, and people will be able to be evacuated by air. “In the meantime, as soon as our rotary wing helicopter assets are relieved of tasks such as evacuating people from Omeo, they will return to the more logistics and support tasks, for example taking stores into Mallacoota.”
There is a change expected at midnight, but the Victorian authorities say the risk remains significant. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the high risk areas remain Corryong, Buffalo, Bright, Hotham and Dinner Plain.There is a change expected at midnight, but the Victorian authorities say the risk remains significant. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the high risk areas remain Corryong, Buffalo, Bright, Hotham and Dinner Plain.
Reporters check. Just to confirm, the number of fatalities remains at two? “Correct”. And six missing. “Yes, that’s correct, still at two, and now the good news is about the six – the number being greatly reduced. However, as the chief commissioner has previously pointed out it is fairly fluid as to how those numbers might move.”Reporters check. Just to confirm, the number of fatalities remains at two? “Correct”. And six missing. “Yes, that’s correct, still at two, and now the good news is about the six – the number being greatly reduced. However, as the chief commissioner has previously pointed out it is fairly fluid as to how those numbers might move.”
The commissioner says the service has undertaken more than 1,000 assessments in relation to properties. He says at this stage, there’s been about 110 property losses, and about more than 220 outbuildings. “But this is just the start in relation to the initial impact work that we need to do. There’s still many, many communities that we’ve not been able to really get into and do a proper assessment.”
Working through specifics.
The fire commissioner says there has been significant fire activity around Corryong today, and some property losses on the outskirts of town. He says it is still 41C in Corryong.
At Mount Buffalo, “we’ve had a going fire there, we’ve had a significant column on that fire and we still do”. He says there has been some spotting to the east into some valleys which are south of Bright, “so we are doing what we can but keeping a very close eye on that particular fire and the potential impact into those valleys”.
There’s a significant fire at Mount Hotham. “That fire, there has been a fire fairly close to Dinner Plain as a result of that fire, and at the moment we’ve had CFA working in protection of Dinner Plain. They’ve moved back to Mount Hotham itself.” He says over the next few hours we could see some losses into Dinner Plain, and that same fire has also been running down towards Omeo.
He says further into East Gippsland, there were two significant columns on a fire at Cann River. “Again, we understand those there have been again well-protected. However, we believe there will be potential property losses in the area of Cann River.”
The Victorian fire commissioner says the situation as of right now is this: Today we’ve had 73 new fires start. So at the moment we have 53 going fires across the state, with the vast majority of those in the eastern part of the state. At the moment, we have 13 emergency warnings, four watch and acts, and three evacuate now.
The premier says it’s been a challenging day, but the challenges have been eased considerably by people following instructions from authorities.
The Victorian premier, Dan Andrews, has some good news tonight. He’s providing an update now.
Dan Andrews:
Let’s take stock of conditions in Victoria by recapping the updates and alerts. There hasn’t been a central update from the premier and emergency management authorities for some hours. Apparently that will happen soon. In the interim.
An Emergency Warning is being issued for Bendoc, Bendoc North, Bendoc Upper, Bonang, Buldah, Cabanandra, Club Terrace, Combienbar, Deddick Valley, Delegate River, Dellicknora, Errinundra, Goongerah, Haydens Bog, Nurran, Roaring Camp, Tubbut, Yalmy. It is now too late to leave. This fire is threatening homes and lives.
An Emergency Warning is being issued for Castleburn, Cobbannah, Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Grant, Shepherdson, Tabberabbera, Talbotville, Waterford, Wongungarra, Treasures. There are large bushfires north and east of Dargo, Tabberabbera and surrounds that are out of control. Spotfires are starting about 10kms north of Dargo, and 10kms east of Tabberarabbera ahead of the main fires. These fires could impact Dargo, Tabberabbera and surrounding areas any time between 6pm and 8pm. Severe thunderstorms are likely to continue producing damaging, locally destructive winds in Dargo and surrounding communities this afternoon and evening.
An Emergency Warning is being issued for Suggan Buggan, Wulgulmerang, Wulgulmerang East. There is a large bushfire traveling south east towards Suggan Buggan. There is also a large bushfire traveling north towards Suggan Buggan. There is currently extreme and unpredictable fire behaviour. You may be exposed to wild, erratic fire behaviour and heavy ember attack. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
I’m focusing on the live updates right now, rather than Scott Morrison’s deeply unfortunate promotional video which I posted earlier, but I will just point out that if you look on the Liberal party’s Facebook page, and if you click through to the explanatory material about today’s announcements from the prime minister, in the top right hand corner of the page you have an opportunity to shop, or donate, while you peruse the information. Seriously. Shocker.
Let’s keep moving.
This shouldn’t surprise anyone, given the events of the day. A statewide total fire ban has been declared for all of NSW for tomorrow, Sunday 5 January 2020, beginning at midnight. Conditions are expected to be severe and very high across the state. No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban. Gas and electric barbecues may be used provided certain conditions are met.
Not that we need an illustration to tell us why power assets have been compromised, but this short clip from Mike Bowers puts you in the fire ground.
On that subject, here’s the NSW energy minister Matt Kean. Please follow this advice if you can to take pressure off the grid.