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Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires insurance bill tops $700m – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires insurance bill tops $700m – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Rain falls on some NSW, Victorian and South Australian bushfire-affected areas, but worse fire conditions are forecast to return. Follow all today’s latest news and live updatesRain falls on some NSW, Victorian and South Australian bushfire-affected areas, but worse fire conditions are forecast to return. Follow all today’s latest news and live updates
We know all that bushfire smoke has been turning New Zealand’s skies orange, and turning snow peaks brown. The ash might also accelerate glacial melt.
But the ash cloud didn’t stop there, and has made it all the way to Chile – about 11,000 kilometres away. AAP reports that usually cloudless skies in central Chile have turned hazy.
Meteorologist Edita Amador, of Chile’s Weather Directorate, told AAP: “In the coming days probably it will head toward Argentina.”
Afternoon all. Graham Readfearn here taking over from Amy Remeikis.Afternoon all. Graham Readfearn here taking over from Amy Remeikis.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the carbon dioxide emissions from Australia’s bushfires. I’ve got an update - the numbers are a lot bigger now. A few weeks ago I wrote about the carbon dioxide emissions from Australia’s bushfires. I’ve got an update – the numbers are a lot bigger now.
Back then, data from Dr Niels Andela, a scientist at the Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center, suggested the enormous pulse of CO2 from the fires was equivalent to almost half Australia’s annual greenhouse gas footprint. Back then, data from Dr Niels Andela, a scientist at the Nasa Goddard Space Flight Centre, suggested the enormous pulse of CO2 from the fires was equivalent to almost half Australia’s annual greenhouse gas footprint.
Andela is a collaborator in the Global Fire Emissions Database and he’s just sent me an update.Andela is a collaborator in the Global Fire Emissions Database and he’s just sent me an update.
Now that pulse of CO2 has jumped by 99Mt to a massive 349Mt. Broken down by state, since 1 August 2019 the data shows emissions of: Now that pulse of CO2 has jumped by 99 metric tons to a massive 349 million tonnes . Broken down by state, since 1 August 2019 the data shows emissions of:
260Mt CO2 emissions for NSW 260 million tonnes of CO2 emissions for NSW.
9 Mt CO2 for Victoria 9 mt CO2 for Victoria.
4 Mt CO2 for South Australia 4 mt CO2 for South Australia.
76 Mt CO2 for Queensland. 76 mt CO2 for Queensland.
As my original story explains, the data does come with some uncertainties. Also, generally, emissions from bushfires are not counted because it’s presumed that as forests and grasslands regrow, all the CO2 is reabsorbed.As my original story explains, the data does come with some uncertainties. Also, generally, emissions from bushfires are not counted because it’s presumed that as forests and grasslands regrow, all the CO2 is reabsorbed.
But there are concerns that as the climate warms, and forests get stressed with higher temperatures and drops in rainfall especially in the south, those presumptions may not hold.But there are concerns that as the climate warms, and forests get stressed with higher temperatures and drops in rainfall especially in the south, those presumptions may not hold.
NASA’s MODIS satellite can also detect fire hotspots, and also shows the huge jump in fires in NSW compared to the previous 17 years.NASA’s MODIS satellite can also detect fire hotspots, and also shows the huge jump in fires in NSW compared to the previous 17 years.
I am going to hand the blog over to Graham Readfearn now.I am going to hand the blog over to Graham Readfearn now.
I’ll be back tomorrow – and a reminder that firefighters are still bracing for dangerous fire conditions on Thursday and Friday, so take care of you, and keep following your local authorities updates, if you are in any of the fire zones.I’ll be back tomorrow – and a reminder that firefighters are still bracing for dangerous fire conditions on Thursday and Friday, so take care of you, and keep following your local authorities updates, if you are in any of the fire zones.
Canberra’s emergency services agency has released another update:Canberra’s emergency services agency has released another update:
ACTACT
One small bushfire burning in Namadgi National Park.One small bushfire burning in Namadgi National Park.
NORTHERN TERRITORYNORTHERN TERRITORY
No bushfires burning.No bushfires burning.
Five homes confirmed destroyed.Five homes confirmed destroyed.
QUEENSLANDQUEENSLAND
30 bushfires burning in the far north, central, southeast and Central Highlands.30 bushfires burning in the far north, central, southeast and Central Highlands.
2.5m hectares burned.2.5m hectares burned.
48 homes confirmed destroyed.48 homes confirmed destroyed.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAWESTERN AUSTRALIA
32 bushfires burning, in the Goldfield-Esperance region, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Perth region and southeast.32 bushfires burning, in the Goldfield-Esperance region, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Perth region and southeast.
1.7 m hectares burned.1.7 m hectares burned.
Three home confirmed destroyed.Three home confirmed destroyed.
TASMANIATASMANIA
14 bushfires burning across the state’s north, east and south.14 bushfires burning across the state’s north, east and south.
More than 32,000 hectares burned.More than 32,000 hectares burned.
Two homes confirmed destroyed.Two homes confirmed destroyed.
State by state update:State by state update:
(Via AAP)(Via AAP)
NSWNSW
20 people dead, two missing.20 people dead, two missing.
130 bushfires burning on the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Mid North Coast.130 bushfires burning on the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Mid North Coast.
Almost five million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals.Almost five million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals.
1,588 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise.1,588 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise.
VICTORIAVICTORIA
Two people dead.Two people dead.
14 bushfires burning in Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions.14 bushfires burning in Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions.
More than 1.2 million hectares burned.More than 1.2 million hectares burned.
More than 200 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise.More than 200 homes confirmed destroyed but number expected to rise.
SOUTH AUSTRALIASOUTH AUSTRALIA
Three people dead.Three people dead.
Five bushfires burning (four on the mainland, one on Kangaroo Island).Five bushfires burning (four on the mainland, one on Kangaroo Island).
About 270,000 hectares burnt.About 270,000 hectares burnt.
161 homes confirmed destroyed.161 homes confirmed destroyed.
It’s been an other big day, so I’ll do my best to summarise some of the main parts:It’s been an other big day, so I’ll do my best to summarise some of the main parts:
There are two people missing in New South Wales.There are two people missing in New South Wales.
Andrew O’Dwyer, a NSW RFS volunteer killed when the truck he was in rolled while fighting fires, has been laid to rest.Andrew O’Dwyer, a NSW RFS volunteer killed when the truck he was in rolled while fighting fires, has been laid to rest.
130 fires are still burning across NSW, while 14 are still burning in Victoria, including several watch and act alerts.130 fires are still burning across NSW, while 14 are still burning in Victoria, including several watch and act alerts.
At least 6.2m hectares have been burnt in NSW and Victoria alone – five million in NSW alone.At least 6.2m hectares have been burnt in NSW and Victoria alone – five million in NSW alone.
The Ravine fire is still burning out of control on Kangaroo Island, having burned through at least one-third of the island so far.The Ravine fire is still burning out of control on Kangaroo Island, having burned through at least one-third of the island so far.
161 homes have been confirmed as destroyed on the island.161 homes have been confirmed as destroyed on the island.
The recovery mission has begun.The recovery mission has begun.
More than 1,800 insurance claims have been lodged totally $700m – so far.More than 1,800 insurance claims have been lodged totally $700m – so far.
Craig Kelly has created international furore by continuing to deny the climate change, most recently on UK television.Craig Kelly has created international furore by continuing to deny the climate change, most recently on UK television.
Hazard reduction burning is “not a silver bullet” says Daniel Andrews.Hazard reduction burning is “not a silver bullet” says Daniel Andrews.
Two people remain missing in NSW, after fire swept through their region, south of Eden.Two people remain missing in NSW, after fire swept through their region, south of Eden.
The official death toll remains at 20.The official death toll remains at 20.
(From AAP)(From AAP)
OCTOBEROCTOBER
Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwenda Hyde, 68 – found in Coongbar home near Casino.Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwenda Hyde, 68 – found in Coongbar home near Casino.
NOVEMBERNOVEMBER
George Nole, 85 – found in his car in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes.George Nole, 85 – found in his car in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes.
Vivian Chaplain, 69 – found in her Wytaliba home.Vivian Chaplain, 69 – found in her Wytaliba home.
Julie Fletcher, 63 – found in her Johns River home near Taree.Julie Fletcher, 63 – found in her Johns River home near Taree.
Barry Parsons, 58 – found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey.Barry Parsons, 58 – found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey.
Chris Savva, 64 – 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads.Chris Savva, 64 – 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads.
Man, 59 – sheltered in Yarrowitch water tank, died of injuries on December 29.Man, 59 – sheltered in Yarrowitch water tank, died of injuries on December 29.
DECEMBERDECEMBER
Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36 – volunteer firefighters killed in rollover near Buxton.Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36 – volunteer firefighters killed in rollover near Buxton.
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIRESNEW YEAR’S EVE FIRES
Sam McPaul, 28 – volunteer firefighter killed when truck hit by fire tornado at Jingellic.Sam McPaul, 28 – volunteer firefighter killed when truck hit by fire tornado at Jingellic.
Patrick Salway, 29, and Robert Salway, 63 – young father and grandfather found at the family farm north of Cobargo.Patrick Salway, 29, and Robert Salway, 63 – young father and grandfather found at the family farm north of Cobargo.
Man, 70, named as Laurie Andrew by local media – found outside a Yatte Yattah home.Man, 70, named as Laurie Andrew by local media – found outside a Yatte Yattah home.
Man, 75 – burnout car near the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah.Man, 75 – burnout car near the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah.
Man, 62 – found in a vehicle in Sussex Inlet.Man, 62 – found in a vehicle in Sussex Inlet.
Body, believed to be a man, 56 – found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo.Body, believed to be a man, 56 – found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo.
Man, 72, reportedly off-duty RFS firefighter Colin Burns – found in car near Belowra.Man, 72, reportedly off-duty RFS firefighter Colin Burns – found in car near Belowra.
Man, 47, dies of a heart attack while helping a friend defend their property near Batlow.Man, 47, dies of a heart attack while helping a friend defend their property near Batlow.
Man, 71, found on a burnt-out property in Nerrigundah.Man, 71, found on a burnt-out property in Nerrigundah.
Graham Readfearn has looked at some of the wildlife potentially lost in the Kangaroo Island fire:
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and his family have donated $1m to the bushfire crisis
The SA CFS chief, Greg Nettleton provided this update:
Corey Wingard, the South Australian emergency services minister is delivering an update on the damage to Kangaroo Island from a bushfire:
The fire is still out of control.
CFA fire chief Steve Warrington also comments on the hazard reduction burn commentary:
He is a *current* fire chief too, for anyone who wants to push the “greens funding former fire chief” agenda. But they are all saying the same thing.
Daniel Andrews is again discussing the issues with hazard reduction burns, and why the idea that fuel reduction burns would have stopped this crisis, is not logical:
Andrew Crisp:
The Victorian emergency commissioner, Andrew Crisp, has an update:
On Kangaroo Island, at least 56 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire. It has burnt through at least one third of the island. Two men were killed as they fled the blaze.
More on hazard reduction from a former Victorian environment minister, who says he does not recall having been lobbied by green groups to stop fuel reduction burns.