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| NSW bushfires: up to 20 properties lost in Blue Mountains fires near Sydney as extreme heat looms – live | NSW bushfires: up to 20 properties lost in Blue Mountains fires near Sydney as extreme heat looms – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Gospers Mountain megafire burns outside Sydney while fires also threaten in Western Australia, with temperatures expected to rise well above 40C in several states later in the week | Gospers Mountain megafire burns outside Sydney while fires also threaten in Western Australia, with temperatures expected to rise well above 40C in several states later in the week |
| The fire has been burning for six days, and Perth has experienced three consecutive days above 40C (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Today, it is currently 35.8C at 10.30am. | |
| At least one house has been destroyed in the WA fire, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has told AAP. A petrol station was also destroyed, and more than 250 properties are without power. | |
| The latest advice for the Wilbinga/Yanchep fire, north of Perth, which is still burning at emergency level. | |
| “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. | |
| “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.” | |
| The fire bans in Queensland have been extended. | The fire bans in Queensland have been extended. |
| We previously used satellite hotspot data to visualise how various how fires spread over time. | We previously used satellite hotspot data to visualise how various how fires spread over time. |
| Here is an updated visualisation of the Gospers Mountain megafire. | Here is an updated visualisation of the Gospers Mountain megafire. |
| Just to repeat the caveats from our initial datablog: the map is not exactly to scale, as the satellite detection has a resolution of 1km square, and it’s possible for fires to be obscured from satellite by smoke or clouds. Hotspots can also show up where there isn’t a bushfire for other reasons, but we’ve tried to filter these out where possible. | Just to repeat the caveats from our initial datablog: the map is not exactly to scale, as the satellite detection has a resolution of 1km square, and it’s possible for fires to be obscured from satellite by smoke or clouds. Hotspots can also show up where there isn’t a bushfire for other reasons, but we’ve tried to filter these out where possible. |
| The circles fade to black over time to give an idea of the area burned, but it’s worth pointing out that it only covers fires within the time period shown, so the actual burned area will be greater than what is shown here, particularly in areas where fires have been burning on and off for months. | The circles fade to black over time to give an idea of the area burned, but it’s worth pointing out that it only covers fires within the time period shown, so the actual burned area will be greater than what is shown here, particularly in areas where fires have been burning on and off for months. |
| Jon Russell, a volunteer fire brigade captain from the northern beaches, has spent the night out at the Gospers Mountain fire where backburning operations near Mt Tomah went out of control and took out up to 20 properties. | Jon Russell, a volunteer fire brigade captain from the northern beaches, has spent the night out at the Gospers Mountain fire where backburning operations near Mt Tomah went out of control and took out up to 20 properties. |
| “We’d been told properties had come under attack, that this fire had just gathered momentum,” he said. | “We’d been told properties had come under attack, that this fire had just gathered momentum,” he said. |
| “The Hills district [brigades] were there, from the Cumberland zone, they were there from everywhere... it was a case of just ‘pick a house and protect it’.” | “The Hills district [brigades] were there, from the Cumberland zone, they were there from everywhere... it was a case of just ‘pick a house and protect it’.” |
| He described lining up his truck in front of a house, remarking to a colleague John Duffy (who filmed that incredible footage above), that if a nearby area of bush caught alight there’d be little they could do, and they’d have to leave. | He described lining up his truck in front of a house, remarking to a colleague John Duffy (who filmed that incredible footage above), that if a nearby area of bush caught alight there’d be little they could do, and they’d have to leave. |
| “Then in an instant that area of bush just went boom.” | “Then in an instant that area of bush just went boom.” |
| “We just went from daylight to nighttime in a instant. It’s a very eerie feeling for new people. I’ve been at this a long time, I’ve been captain of my brigade 18 years. It was an experience for everybody that we’ll never forget.” | “We just went from daylight to nighttime in a instant. It’s a very eerie feeling for new people. I’ve been at this a long time, I’ve been captain of my brigade 18 years. It was an experience for everybody that we’ll never forget.” |
| Australia is facing a massive rethink on how it prepares for long-term bushfires and air pollution, my colleague Melissa Davey reports. | Australia is facing a massive rethink on how it prepares for long-term bushfires and air pollution, my colleague Melissa Davey reports. |
| David Bowman, the director of the Fire Centre at the University of Tasmania’s school of natural sciences, says it’s too late to call for action to prevent climate change and that people affected by smoke inhalation from fires should demand moves to adapt to it, such as retrofitting houses to make them heat and smoke-proof. | David Bowman, the director of the Fire Centre at the University of Tasmania’s school of natural sciences, says it’s too late to call for action to prevent climate change and that people affected by smoke inhalation from fires should demand moves to adapt to it, such as retrofitting houses to make them heat and smoke-proof. |
| “It’s a transformative time socially, and politicians have completely misunderstood this,” Bowman said. “Politicians talk about holding the line, but this is escalating. | “It’s a transformative time socially, and politicians have completely misunderstood this,” Bowman said. “Politicians talk about holding the line, but this is escalating. |
| “Hobart was fumigated at the beginning of this calendar year for six weeks because of fires. The cost of that was six deaths and $25m in health costs.” | “Hobart was fumigated at the beginning of this calendar year for six weeks because of fires. The cost of that was six deaths and $25m in health costs.” |
| In South Australia, AAP reports that extra payments will be made to people affected by out-of-control bushfires last month. | In South Australia, AAP reports that extra payments will be made to people affected by out-of-control bushfires last month. |
| Hardship payments of up to $10,000 – jointly funded by the state and federal governments – will be available to property owners who were affected on the Yorke Peninsula. | Hardship payments of up to $10,000 – jointly funded by the state and federal governments – will be available to property owners who were affected on the Yorke Peninsula. |
| Two fires at Price and Yorketown last month caused considerable damage, with at least 11 homes impacted, and damage was also caused to crops, livestock and other infrastructure. | Two fires at Price and Yorketown last month caused considerable damage, with at least 11 homes impacted, and damage was also caused to crops, livestock and other infrastructure. |
| The largest fire burned through more than 5,000 hectares after being sparked by a power network fault. | The largest fire burned through more than 5,000 hectares after being sparked by a power network fault. |
| Federal natural disaster minister David Littleproud said: “This puts cash in the pockets of those most in need and helps to give them dignity. It will also help to cover any insurance shortfalls to make sure these communities can be restored.” | Federal natural disaster minister David Littleproud said: “This puts cash in the pockets of those most in need and helps to give them dignity. It will also help to cover any insurance shortfalls to make sure these communities can be restored.” |
| A map of that Mount Tomah, Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson fire. | A map of that Mount Tomah, Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson fire. |
| A few developments here. The ABC has confirmed that up to 20 properties have been destroyed near Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson and Mount Tomah. | A few developments here. The ABC has confirmed that up to 20 properties have been destroyed near Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson and Mount Tomah. |
| RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons also confirmed to the ABC that the fire itself was started by a backburning operation. | RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons also confirmed to the ABC that the fire itself was started by a backburning operation. |
| According to anchor Joe O’Brien, Fitzsimmons said firefighters were “attempting to protect communities around the Bells Line of Road but unfortunately things don’t always go to plan”. | According to anchor Joe O’Brien, Fitzsimmons said firefighters were “attempting to protect communities around the Bells Line of Road but unfortunately things don’t always go to plan”. |
| Earlier, deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said in an interview: “We were quite concerned about that fire jumping Bells Line Of Road. Crews backburned to try to prevent. The backburn got away as well. Nothing is working out for crews. | Earlier, deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said in an interview: “We were quite concerned about that fire jumping Bells Line Of Road. Crews backburned to try to prevent. The backburn got away as well. Nothing is working out for crews. |
| “Unfortunately in these drought conditions, that’s the reality – whatever we try doesn’t seem to be working and, you know, we just got to try to protect as many properties as we can.” | “Unfortunately in these drought conditions, that’s the reality – whatever we try doesn’t seem to be working and, you know, we just got to try to protect as many properties as we can.” |
| RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has confirmed that dozens of homes have been damaged. He told Nine’s Today Show it was even possible that the local RFS captain lost their home. | RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has confirmed that dozens of homes have been damaged. He told Nine’s Today Show it was even possible that the local RFS captain lost their home. |
| “We have reports of dozens of building, structures having been damaged or destroyed,” he said. “We are just not sure on homes and outbuildings and sheds and those sorts of things. I am hearing reports that even our local members and it might be our local captain have lost their home last night trying to defend their local community.” | “We have reports of dozens of building, structures having been damaged or destroyed,” he said. “We are just not sure on homes and outbuildings and sheds and those sorts of things. I am hearing reports that even our local members and it might be our local captain have lost their home last night trying to defend their local community.” |
| With the heatwave this week making things worse, he said there was an “extraordinary amount of work still to go”. | With the heatwave this week making things worse, he said there was an “extraordinary amount of work still to go”. |
| “The drought is having an absolutely profound effect on the vegetation, and its flammability,” he said. “We are seeing fire burn effectively unimpeded under windy conditions.” | “The drought is having an absolutely profound effect on the vegetation, and its flammability,” he said. “We are seeing fire burn effectively unimpeded under windy conditions.” |
| The latest advice on the Gospers Mountain fire from the RFS. | The latest advice on the Gospers Mountain fire from the RFS. |
| “The fire continues to burn on both sides of the Bells Line of Road, and is now burning in the Gross Valley ... Monitor conditions and know what you will do if fire threatens.” | “The fire continues to burn on both sides of the Bells Line of Road, and is now burning in the Gross Valley ... Monitor conditions and know what you will do if fire threatens.” |
| The huge fire is also burning near Bell, Newnes Junction, Clarence, Colo, the lower and upper Macdonald, Perrys Crossing and Wollomi national park. | The huge fire is also burning near Bell, Newnes Junction, Clarence, Colo, the lower and upper Macdonald, Perrys Crossing and Wollomi national park. |
| According to Sky News, dozens of homes are feared lost near Mount Tomah, as a result of the Gospers Mountain fire. | According to Sky News, dozens of homes are feared lost near Mount Tomah, as a result of the Gospers Mountain fire. |
| But assessment teams will only be sent once the area is deemed safe, which is not expected until later today at least. | But assessment teams will only be sent once the area is deemed safe, which is not expected until later today at least. |
| In SA, it is already 35C in Ceduna and over 38C at Moomba Airport. It’s 29C in the Adelaide city centre. | In SA, it is already 35C in Ceduna and over 38C at Moomba Airport. It’s 29C in the Adelaide city centre. |
| The forecast for Queensland is also sweltering. It’s set to hit 44C for Mount Isa, 44C for Birdsville. 41C in Gympie and Rockhampton, 39C in Brisbane, and 34C in Townsville. | The forecast for Queensland is also sweltering. It’s set to hit 44C for Mount Isa, 44C for Birdsville. 41C in Gympie and Rockhampton, 39C in Brisbane, and 34C in Townsville. |
| And it’s already 38C in Mount Isa, and 32.7C in Brisbane. | And it’s already 38C in Mount Isa, and 32.7C in Brisbane. |
| It’s only 7.30am in WA, but it’s already 31C in Broome – and rising. | It’s only 7.30am in WA, but it’s already 31C in Broome – and rising. |
| According to 7.10am observations from the Bureau of Meteorology, it is 30C in Marble Bar, 27C in Kalgoorlie and 27.5C in Perth. | According to 7.10am observations from the Bureau of Meteorology, it is 30C in Marble Bar, 27C in Kalgoorlie and 27.5C in Perth. |
| That is forecast to rise to 43C in the Kimberley, 40C in Kalgoorlie and 36C in Perth during the day. | That is forecast to rise to 43C in the Kimberley, 40C in Kalgoorlie and 36C in Perth during the day. |