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WA, NSW and Qld bushfires: properties lost in Gospers Mountain fire while blazes intensify north of Perth – live WA, NSW and Qld bushfires: properties lost in Gospers Mountain fire while blazes intensify north of Perth – live
(32 minutes later)
Up to 20 properties lost in Blue Mountains as megafire burns outside Sydney, while fires also threaten communities in Western Australia and Queensland – follow latest updatesUp to 20 properties lost in Blue Mountains as megafire burns outside Sydney, while fires also threaten communities in Western Australia and Queensland – follow latest updates
We will get an update from the Western Australian fire and rescue service about the Yanchep, Two Rocks and Woodridge bushfire in about half an hour. There’s a press conference scheduled for 3.30pm local time in Gingin, an hour north of Perth.
Meanwhile, this is the Yanchep service station.
And a note left behind in Two Rocks.
There is an updated emergency warning for a 1,000ha bushfire burning out of control near Upper Turon Road, Palmers Oaky.
The fire is burning west of the Castlereagh Highway, north-east of Lithgow, on the other side of Bogee from the Gospers Mountain fire. Residents near Razorback Road, Cherry Tree Hill and Running Stream have been warned to be on the lookout for ember attacks.
A total fire ban has been issued for the Mount Lofty Ranges fire district of South Australia tomorrow.
That district includes Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, Victor harbour, Mount Barker and Gawler. Temperatures are expected to be in the low-mid 4os for the next four days.
The fire danger rating for that region tomorrow is severe. The rest of the state has a rating of high or very high, apart from the upper south-east, where the danger rating is low to moderate.
An updated emergency warning has been issued for Mount Maria, north of Bundaberg in Queensland.An updated emergency warning has been issued for Mount Maria, north of Bundaberg in Queensland.
A large fire is burning west towards Lowmead, near Mount Maria. areas around Tableland Road, between Cross Road and Hills Road, were being directly impacted by fire as of 3.40pm local time (4.40pm AEDT) and properties near Mitchell Road are expected to be impacted within the next hour. A large fire is burning west towards Lowmead, near Mount Maria. Areas around Tableland Road, between Cross Road and Hills Road, were being directly impacted by fire as of 3.40pm local time (4.40pm AEDT) and properties near Mitchell Road are expected to be impacted within the next hour.
Conditions are very dangerous and firefighters may be unable to prevent the fire advancing. It may pose a threat to all lives in its path. Residents have been advised to leave immediately as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.Conditions are very dangerous and firefighters may be unable to prevent the fire advancing. It may pose a threat to all lives in its path. Residents have been advised to leave immediately as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
There is an evacuation centre at Miriam Vale Community Hall.There is an evacuation centre at Miriam Vale Community Hall.
There are currently 74 fires burning in New South Wales with emergency warnings active for the fire at Palmers Oaky, near Lithgow, and Gospers Mountain, where a huge 378,000ha fire is burning in the Wollemi national park.There are currently 74 fires burning in New South Wales with emergency warnings active for the fire at Palmers Oaky, near Lithgow, and Gospers Mountain, where a huge 378,000ha fire is burning in the Wollemi national park.
There is also an emergency warning active for Woodridge, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates near Yanchep, north of Perth, in Western Australia.There is also an emergency warning active for Woodridge, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates near Yanchep, north of Perth, in Western Australia.
The temperature in Brisbane reached 41.2C at 1.40pm. That’s equal to the city’s previous record for its hottest ever day, which was set in 1981.The temperature in Brisbane reached 41.2C at 1.40pm. That’s equal to the city’s previous record for its hottest ever day, which was set in 1981.
Australia is on track to break its record for the highest ever national average temperature. The previous record is 40.3C.Australia is on track to break its record for the highest ever national average temperature. The previous record is 40.3C.
Watch and act for Kumbarilla State Forest, QueenslandWatch and act for Kumbarilla State Forest, Queensland
A watch and act warning has been issued for Kumbarilla State Forest, east of Brisbane, in Queensland.A watch and act warning has been issued for Kumbarilla State Forest, east of Brisbane, in Queensland.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says a fast-moving fire is continuing to burn in the Kumbarilla State Forest. It’s burning in a north-easterly direction toward the Moonie Highway between Halliford Rd and Kumbarilla Lane.Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says a fast-moving fire is continuing to burn in the Kumbarilla State Forest. It’s burning in a north-easterly direction toward the Moonie Highway between Halliford Rd and Kumbarilla Lane.
People in the area have been told to be ready to leave because the situation could get worse quickly.People in the area have been told to be ready to leave because the situation could get worse quickly.
Full alert here.Full alert here.
Residents at Mount Maria, north of Bundaberg, have been advised to leave immediately as there is a bushfire approaching and it will soon be too dangerous to drive.Residents at Mount Maria, north of Bundaberg, have been advised to leave immediately as there is a bushfire approaching and it will soon be too dangerous to drive.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says that as of 2.40pm local time (3.40pm AEDT) there is a large fire is travelling west towards Mount Maria. It is expected to impact Tableland Road, between Cross Road and Hills Road, within the next hour. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says that as of 2.40pm local time (3.40pm AEDT) there is a large fire is travelling west towards Mount Maria. It is expected to impact Tableland Road, between Cross Road and Hills Road, within the next hour. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
From QFES:From QFES:
The South Australian housing authority has issued a statewide code red warning for homeless and vulnerable people affected by extreme heat.The South Australian housing authority has issued a statewide code red warning for homeless and vulnerable people affected by extreme heat.
The code red will remain in place until Friday. Housing SA will provide extra accomodation services and ensure opening hours of service providers are extended during the heatwave, in some cases remaining open overnight, so people sleeping rough are able to seek refuge from the heat.The code red will remain in place until Friday. Housing SA will provide extra accomodation services and ensure opening hours of service providers are extended during the heatwave, in some cases remaining open overnight, so people sleeping rough are able to seek refuge from the heat.
In a statement, human services minister Michelle Lensink said:In a statement, human services minister Michelle Lensink said:
South Australia is forecast to experience four days over 40C, with temperatures reaching 50C in some areas.South Australia is forecast to experience four days over 40C, with temperatures reaching 50C in some areas.
Emergency WA has issued an updated watch and act alert for the Mogumber fire, 50km north of Perth.Emergency WA has issued an updated watch and act alert for the Mogumber fire, 50km north of Perth.
The alert covers parts of New Norcia, Glentromie, Regans Ford, Yathroo, Gillingarra, Mogumber and Yarawindah.The alert covers parts of New Norcia, Glentromie, Regans Ford, Yathroo, Gillingarra, Mogumber and Yarawindah.
About 50 firefighters are on scene and actively fighting the fire, which was reported just before 2pm yesterday. It’s currently 7,500ha in size.About 50 firefighters are on scene and actively fighting the fire, which was reported just before 2pm yesterday. It’s currently 7,500ha in size.
This is a satellite hotspot animation of the NSW south coast bushfires, one covering 37,425 hectares near Braidwood, and the larger one covering 89,264 hectares north of Bateman’s Bay.
Further watch-and-act alert for WA
I am taking over from my colleague Naaman Zhou, as bushfire activity starts to pick up in Western Australia.
Along with that emergency warning, Emergency WA has issued a watch and act for Guilderton, Eglinton, Sovereign Hill (WA), Redfield Park, Yanchep and Two Rocks.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes. People in Eglinton, Yanchep and Two Rocks, as well as Gabbadah and Neergabby, have been advised to evacuate by heading south along Two Rocks Road and Marmion Avenue.
A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for Woodridge, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates, as well as Caraban and Wilbinga, in the city of Wanneroo and shire of Gingin north of Yanchep, Western Australia.
Emergency WA says people in those areas are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
People in Woodridge and the localities of Caraban and Wilbinga should leave in an easterly direction towards Indian Ocean Drive and use Gingin Brook Road to travel towards Gingin. There is an evacuation centre available at Granville Civic Centre, Weld Street, Gingin.
People in Seatrees and Breakwater Estates should leave in a westerly direction towards Two Rocks, and then leave south along Two Rocks Road and Marmion Avenue.
From the alert:
Waterbombing aircraft have been sent to a fire on the Kings Highway near Bungendore. The grass fire is still at advice levels, and RFS says crews are on the scene.
The huge Gospers Mountain fire has flared back to emergency levels on its south-west front.
The fire has crossed Wolgan Road, and residents in the Wolgan Valley area are advised it is too late to leave.
It is moving north in the Angus Place, Lidsdale and Wolgan areas.
The multi-front fire is spreading out in multiple directions and is more than 378,000 hectares in size.
Increasing fire activity at the Myall Creek Road fire, which is at watch and act.
Federal Labor MP for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, says she saw damaged homes in Mt Tomah, Bilpin and Berambing today.
An emergency warning has been issued for Upper Turon Road, Palmers Oaky.
According to the RFS, the fire is burning in the Razorback Road and Cherrytree area. It is heading in a north-easterly direction towards Castlereagh Highway.
The fire is more than 1,000 hectares in size and is out of control.
“If you are in the path of the fire, you are at risk,” the RFS says.