This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/dec/10/nsw-fires-sydney-smoke-bushfires-qld-australia-new-south-wales-rural-fire-live-news-latest-updates
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 18 | Version 19 |
|---|---|
| NSW fires: wind change fans bushfires as Sydney smoke causes hazardous air quality – live | NSW fires: wind change fans bushfires as Sydney smoke causes hazardous air quality – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Almost 3,000 firefighters deployed across New South Wales as more than 80 bushfires continue to burn. Follow all the latest updates | Almost 3,000 firefighters deployed across New South Wales as more than 80 bushfires continue to burn. Follow all the latest updates |
| NSW Health has put out a statement urging people to “take precautions to protect their health”. | |
| “NSW Health is particularly reminding the elderly and parents and carers of young children to stay inside with doors and windows shut, where possible, and postpone outdoor activities,” said the chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant. | |
| “The best way to reduce exposure to smoke is to stay indoors with the doors and windows shut. People with existing lung and heart conditions can also protect themselves by following their disease management plans.” | |
| The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, has told people to follow the NSW Health advice. | |
| Sydney’s ferries are running again but there’s still a reduced service on many routes. | |
| The ACT’s emergency services agency has tweeted this map. More smoke is heading Canberra’s way. | |
| The website advises: “A change in wind direction has caused the smoke to blow across the ACT region.” | |
| If you’re wondering if you should get an air purifier – and from where – this explainer from Martin Farrer has some info. | If you’re wondering if you should get an air purifier – and from where – this explainer from Martin Farrer has some info. |
| In short, they need to have a HEPA filter, but their effectiveness varies. And in many parts of Sydney, they are sold out. | In short, they need to have a HEPA filter, but their effectiveness varies. And in many parts of Sydney, they are sold out. |
| 5pm update from RFS: | 5pm update from RFS: |
| 83 fires currently burning across NSW, 40 uncontained. | 83 fires currently burning across NSW, 40 uncontained. |
| 12 are at watch and act. | 12 are at watch and act. |
| Tomorrow, there are three areas with total fire bans (Central ranges, Northwestern and Northern slopes). | Tomorrow, there are three areas with total fire bans (Central ranges, Northwestern and Northern slopes). |
| Potential respite coming tomorrow for Sydney – but not every part of the state. | Potential respite coming tomorrow for Sydney – but not every part of the state. |
| Temperatures have dropped across the state as a southerly change has come through in the past few hours. But that most likely will worsen fire conditions and make the job harder for firefighters on the ground. | Temperatures have dropped across the state as a southerly change has come through in the past few hours. But that most likely will worsen fire conditions and make the job harder for firefighters on the ground. |
| Unlucky. | Unlucky. |
| This is Naaman Zhou taking over the blog from Helen Davidson. | This is Naaman Zhou taking over the blog from Helen Davidson. |
| Former fire chief Greg Mullins has warned that firefighters may have “nothing left in the tank” as they battle with an abnormally long and extensive fire season. | Former fire chief Greg Mullins has warned that firefighters may have “nothing left in the tank” as they battle with an abnormally long and extensive fire season. |
| He told AAP: “Everyone is getting pretty worn out and, in my experience, that’s where all the bad stuff happens. The troops, if they’re worn out, you get to a stage where it just overwhelms everyone, so that’s a worry. | He told AAP: “Everyone is getting pretty worn out and, in my experience, that’s where all the bad stuff happens. The troops, if they’re worn out, you get to a stage where it just overwhelms everyone, so that’s a worry. |
| “I’m buggered ... and I haven’t done as many [shifts] as some people. People will step up. Firefighters – they are men and women who give their all – they will do whatever is asked of them and more but I do fear for their welfare.” | “I’m buggered ... and I haven’t done as many [shifts] as some people. People will step up. Firefighters – they are men and women who give their all – they will do whatever is asked of them and more but I do fear for their welfare.” |
| Last month, Mullins and three other former fire chiefs said the government had ignored their warnings because it “fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change”. | Last month, Mullins and three other former fire chiefs said the government had ignored their warnings because it “fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change”. |
| Mike Bowers is down in Braidwood where firefighters have been battling a large fire. It’s currently at a watch-and-act level. | Mike Bowers is down in Braidwood where firefighters have been battling a large fire. It’s currently at a watch-and-act level. |
| Our data team has updated their graph of total area burned in NSW. | Our data team has updated their graph of total area burned in NSW. |
| There’s a fuller story here, but it’s worth this quick explanation of what happened in 1974 when 3.5m hectares burned, and how this differs. | There’s a fuller story here, but it’s worth this quick explanation of what happened in 1974 when 3.5m hectares burned, and how this differs. |
| Scientists says fire conditions today are fundamentally different, and fundamentally worse in many ways, when compared with some of the fires experienced in the past. | Scientists says fire conditions today are fundamentally different, and fundamentally worse in many ways, when compared with some of the fires experienced in the past. |
| Director of the University of Wollongong’s centre for environmental risk management of bushfires, Ross Bradstock, says the 1974 fires burned through largely remote country mostly in the state’s far west, devouring green, non-woody herbaceous plants. The conditions were created by above average rainfall which produced ample fuel in outback grasslands. | Director of the University of Wollongong’s centre for environmental risk management of bushfires, Ross Bradstock, says the 1974 fires burned through largely remote country mostly in the state’s far west, devouring green, non-woody herbaceous plants. The conditions were created by above average rainfall which produced ample fuel in outback grasslands. |
| By contrast, the fires in the east of the state this year have been fuelled by a lack of rain. The extent of the fires is in significant part driven by the amount of dry fuel available, some of it in highly unlikely places, and the amount of dry fuel is linked to the record-breaking drought. | By contrast, the fires in the east of the state this year have been fuelled by a lack of rain. The extent of the fires is in significant part driven by the amount of dry fuel available, some of it in highly unlikely places, and the amount of dry fuel is linked to the record-breaking drought. |
| There are now 10 fires at watch and act level. | There are now 10 fires at watch and act level. |
| Here are the new or upgraded ones: | Here are the new or upgraded ones: |
| • A blaze near Cessnock, which is being referred to as the Crumps Complex fire, is burning in the Corrabare state forest, east of Wollombi. It is being controlled but has burned through more than 5,000ha and fire activity has increased on the western side of the fire, near Narone Creek. | • A blaze near Cessnock, which is being referred to as the Crumps Complex fire, is burning in the Corrabare state forest, east of Wollombi. It is being controlled but has burned through more than 5,000ha and fire activity has increased on the western side of the fire, near Narone Creek. |
| • Directly west of the large Gospers Mountain fire, at Palmers Oaky in the Lithgow council area, an out-of-control fire has gone through more than 600ha. | • Directly west of the large Gospers Mountain fire, at Palmers Oaky in the Lithgow council area, an out-of-control fire has gone through more than 600ha. |
| The Bangala Creek fire near Tenterfield has been upgraded and is burning out of control after a storm cell above the fireground caused erratic winds and increased fire activity. | The Bangala Creek fire near Tenterfield has been upgraded and is burning out of control after a storm cell above the fireground caused erratic winds and increased fire activity. |
| The Palerang fire near Braidwood is “being controlled” but was upgraded to a watch and act this afternoon. Fire activity is increasing around Foxs Elbow and Watsons Road. | The Palerang fire near Braidwood is “being controlled” but was upgraded to a watch and act this afternoon. Fire activity is increasing around Foxs Elbow and Watsons Road. |
| Two grass fires have sparked at Corrys Road and Meander Street in Thurgoona, near Albury. | Two grass fires have sparked at Corrys Road and Meander Street in Thurgoona, near Albury. |
| The Three Mile fire on the central coast has been downgraded to a watch and act, thanks to firefighting efforts. | The Three Mile fire on the central coast has been downgraded to a watch and act, thanks to firefighting efforts. |
| Fire and Rescue Station 505 at Wyong has released some comparison stats on bushfire emergencies in recent decades. This is by far the biggest in terms of area burnt (but is a distant second after the disastrous Black Saturday fires in terms of lives and homes lost). | Fire and Rescue Station 505 at Wyong has released some comparison stats on bushfire emergencies in recent decades. This is by far the biggest in terms of area burnt (but is a distant second after the disastrous Black Saturday fires in terms of lives and homes lost). |
| “This information shows the sheer destruction that has occurred and could have been worse if it wasn’t for everyone doing their bit,” they said. | “This information shows the sheer destruction that has occurred and could have been worse if it wasn’t for everyone doing their bit,” they said. |
| 1994 January- 800,000ha burnt- 225 homes lost - 4 lives lost | 1994 January- 800,000ha burnt- 225 homes lost - 4 lives lost |
| 2001 Black Christmas, 25 Dec 2001 - 7 Jan 2002- 753,000ha burnt- 109 homes lost - 433 out (non-house) buildings destroyed | 2001 Black Christmas, 25 Dec 2001 - 7 Jan 2002- 753,000ha burnt- 109 homes lost - 433 out (non-house) buildings destroyed |
| 2003 January- 160,000ha burnt- 470 homes destroyed - 4 lives lost | 2003 January- 160,000ha burnt- 470 homes destroyed - 4 lives lost |
| 2009 Black Saturday, Vic, 7 Feb - 14 Mar - 450,000ha burnt- 2029 homes lost - 3,500-plus out buildings destroyed - 180 lives lost | 2009 Black Saturday, Vic, 7 Feb - 14 Mar - 450,000ha burnt- 2029 homes lost - 3,500-plus out buildings destroyed - 180 lives lost |
| 2013 October- 118,000ha burnt- 248 buildings destroyed - 40 out buildings destroyed - 2 lives lost | 2013 October- 118,000ha burnt- 248 buildings destroyed - 40 out buildings destroyed - 2 lives lost |
| 2019 July to December and still currently burning- 2.7m ha burnt- 684 homes lost- 1452 out buildings destroyed- 6 lives lost | 2019 July to December and still currently burning- 2.7m ha burnt- 684 homes lost- 1452 out buildings destroyed- 6 lives lost |
| This morning Scott Morrison addressed media and dismissed calls for greater federal support of the bushfire response and of volunteer firefighters. | This morning Scott Morrison addressed media and dismissed calls for greater federal support of the bushfire response and of volunteer firefighters. |
| It came after the opposition and Malcolm Turnbull called for a restructured nationally coordinated response, with the latter saying the threat was now a “national security issue”, as well as a growing concern from the community about volunteers being in the field for weeks or months with no end in sight. | It came after the opposition and Malcolm Turnbull called for a restructured nationally coordinated response, with the latter saying the threat was now a “national security issue”, as well as a growing concern from the community about volunteers being in the field for weeks or months with no end in sight. |
| The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (Afac) said this afternoon: “Australia has never been better prepared to face natural disasters.” | The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (Afac) said this afternoon: “Australia has never been better prepared to face natural disasters.” |
| Afac, which counts fire and emergency management professions as members, said cross-state firefighting resources were funnelled and distributed across the country where they had been requested, by its National Resource Sharing Centre. | Afac, which counts fire and emergency management professions as members, said cross-state firefighting resources were funnelled and distributed across the country where they had been requested, by its National Resource Sharing Centre. |
| “While many volunteers are not available to travel far from their homes or interstate due to local responsibilities, employment or managing drought-stricken stock that require daily feeding, others are prepared to deploy,” Afac said. | “While many volunteers are not available to travel far from their homes or interstate due to local responsibilities, employment or managing drought-stricken stock that require daily feeding, others are prepared to deploy,” Afac said. |
| It said there was integrated engagement with the commonwealth and national protocols for managing incident responses and the available fleet of 140 aircraft and international personnel. | It said there was integrated engagement with the commonwealth and national protocols for managing incident responses and the available fleet of 140 aircraft and international personnel. |
| “None of this comes with guarantees. However, a great deal is in place and has been practiced, providing Australia with a truly national capability drawn from state and territory agencies from across the commonwealth.” | “None of this comes with guarantees. However, a great deal is in place and has been practiced, providing Australia with a truly national capability drawn from state and territory agencies from across the commonwealth.” |