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Australia fires live: Canberra airport closed, reports of air tanker crash in NSW bushfires – latest updates Australia fires live: Canberra airport closed, reports of air tanker crash in NSW bushfires – latest updates
(31 minutes later)
Residents near a bushfire south of Canberra’s airport told to seek shelter as extreme temperatures fan bushfires across New South Wales. Follow the latest news and live updatesResidents near a bushfire south of Canberra’s airport told to seek shelter as extreme temperatures fan bushfires across New South Wales. Follow the latest news and live updates
There’s a steady stream of people arriving at the Moruya Showgrounds, which has been re-opened as an evacuation centre. For a lot of people, it’s becoming a home away from home. To make matters worse in Canberra, the ACT’s emergency services agency’s website has just crashed. It’s showing only a “503 service error”.
One woman from Congo, just south of here, told me it was her third time here since New Years Eve. Not great timing.
“Our plan has been to leave early and we’ve been leaving early often lately,” she said. Margaret, whose husband suffers from dementia, lives on the south side of town. She was here for five days after New Years and has just arrived back. The website displays the agency’s crucial incident map of various fires, car crashes, and other emergencies across the territory.
It’s also the main source for emergency alert information for those trying to gauge whether to go or stay. It looks like the ESA’s Twitter account is still active. That account is pretty regular with its updates.
And, of course, you can tune in to the emergency broadcaster, ABC Canberra, for local information.
7 News is reporting that the wreckage of the downed C-130 has been found.
There’s a steady stream of people arriving at the Moruya showgrounds which has been reopened as an evacuation centre. For a lot of people, it’s becoming a home away from home.
One woman from Congo, just south of here, told me it was her third time here since New Year’s Eve.
“Our plan has been to leave early and we’ve been leaving early often lately,” she said.
Margaret, whose husband suffers from dementia, lives on the south side of town. She was here for five days after new year and has just arrived back.
“I can’t take of him at home when this is happening. I don’t like being here but I can’t be there either,” she said.“I can’t take of him at home when this is happening. I don’t like being here but I can’t be there either,” she said.
The wind has been incredible for the past few hours now. The wind has been incredible for the past few hours.
The sky is looking ominous outside the Moruya showground where our reporter on the ground, Michael McGowan, captured this image.The sky is looking ominous outside the Moruya showground where our reporter on the ground, Michael McGowan, captured this image.
NSW residents have been asked to turn off any unnecessary appliances and keep airconditioners to 24C between 4 and 8pm today.NSW residents have been asked to turn off any unnecessary appliances and keep airconditioners to 24C between 4 and 8pm today.
Temperatures in Sydney are expected to remain as high as 40C during that time.Temperatures in Sydney are expected to remain as high as 40C during that time.
You can see the plumes of thick black smoke coming from the recycling centre in Beard in this image provided by the ACT emergency services agency.You can see the plumes of thick black smoke coming from the recycling centre in Beard in this image provided by the ACT emergency services agency.
We’re getting reports that the Pialligo fire in Canberra has hit an industrial recycling centre, sending thick black smoke into the air.We’re getting reports that the Pialligo fire in Canberra has hit an industrial recycling centre, sending thick black smoke into the air.
The ACT’s emergency services agency said the fire had hit the recycling centre on Underwood Street. The fire was now producing “dangerous levels” of smoke, which the ESA said would reduce visibility and air quality. It advised residents to stay inside, close all windows and doors, turn off their air conditioning and evaporative coolers, and stay away from the area if they are not there already.The ACT’s emergency services agency said the fire had hit the recycling centre on Underwood Street. The fire was now producing “dangerous levels” of smoke, which the ESA said would reduce visibility and air quality. It advised residents to stay inside, close all windows and doors, turn off their air conditioning and evaporative coolers, and stay away from the area if they are not there already.
The area between Fyshwick and Queanbeyan, where the fire is burning, is one of a handful of industrial zones in Canberra.The area between Fyshwick and Queanbeyan, where the fire is burning, is one of a handful of industrial zones in Canberra.
Meanwhile, in the nearby Brindabella business park, authorities are understood to be evacuating office workers building by building.Meanwhile, in the nearby Brindabella business park, authorities are understood to be evacuating office workers building by building.
A relief centre has been set up in Dickson, in the city’s inner-north, for those who can’t get back to their homes. The relief centre is at Dickson College.A relief centre has been set up in Dickson, in the city’s inner-north, for those who can’t get back to their homes. The relief centre is at Dickson College.
The latest advice from the ESA:The latest advice from the ESA:
“The fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Beard, Oaks Estate and west Queanbeyan, including Crestwood. This fire has crossed the Molonglo River near Beard. The fire is out of control. Firefighters are on scene. However, under current conditions, the fire is difficult to control.”“The fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Beard, Oaks Estate and west Queanbeyan, including Crestwood. This fire has crossed the Molonglo River near Beard. The fire is out of control. Firefighters are on scene. However, under current conditions, the fire is difficult to control.”
The aerial mud that fell on Melbourne in an extended deluge overnight was joined by a fresh burst of rain on Thursday to delay play on the outside courts at the Australian Open.The aerial mud that fell on Melbourne in an extended deluge overnight was joined by a fresh burst of rain on Thursday to delay play on the outside courts at the Australian Open.
Concerns about air pollution remain high as well, as the elements combine to bedevil the first grand slam tournament of the year.Staff had to power-blast the red carpet of dust and muck from the uncovered courts, pushing back the scheduled start of play to 2pm. There were further interruptions for rain as the card was squeezed again.Concerns about air pollution remain high as well, as the elements combine to bedevil the first grand slam tournament of the year.Staff had to power-blast the red carpet of dust and muck from the uncovered courts, pushing back the scheduled start of play to 2pm. There were further interruptions for rain as the card was squeezed again.
It’s quite a fluid situation here in Moruya on the New South Wales south coast.It’s quite a fluid situation here in Moruya on the New South Wales south coast.
The massive Clyde Mountain fire is approaching at quite a clip thanks to incredibly strong westerly winds, and the Rural Fire Service says homes in the town are at risk. RFS crews are defending properties north of the town.The massive Clyde Mountain fire is approaching at quite a clip thanks to incredibly strong westerly winds, and the Rural Fire Service says homes in the town are at risk. RFS crews are defending properties north of the town.
A few minutes ago the main street was pretty well deserted as a (by now familiar) red sky came over.A few minutes ago the main street was pretty well deserted as a (by now familiar) red sky came over.
I’ve just stopped in at the golf club and although it’s quiet they say they’re staying open.I’ve just stopped in at the golf club and although it’s quiet they say they’re staying open.
A few extremely keen golfers were even still out on the course.A few extremely keen golfers were even still out on the course.
Some more on the reported crash of the air tanker from AAP:Some more on the reported crash of the air tanker from AAP:
Five road ambulances and two rescue helicopters are en route after receiving reports of a plane crash in Peak View, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said.Five road ambulances and two rescue helicopters are en route after receiving reports of a plane crash in Peak View, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is yet to receive confirmation a crash has occurred, a spokesman said.The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is yet to receive confirmation a crash has occurred, a spokesman said.