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NSW fires: Tahmoor coalmine evacuated as Green Wattle Creek blaze rages – live NSW fires: Tahmoor coalmine evacuated as Green Wattle Creek blaze rages – live
(30 minutes later)
All of New South Wales, South Australia, large parts of Queensland, and northern Victoria was under a total fire ban on Thursday amid extreme weather. Follow the latest bushfires news and updatesAll of New South Wales, South Australia, large parts of Queensland, and northern Victoria was under a total fire ban on Thursday amid extreme weather. Follow the latest bushfires news and updates
Updated emergency warning for the Gospers Mountain Fire, which is now 417,000ha in size. What a difference a day makes. These photos are from Lithgow.
Both the Springvale coalmine and the Mount Piper Power station on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, under threat from the Gospers Mountain megafire, remain unburned. Yesterday:
The ABC has reported that the Springvale Mine was surrounded by fire last night but firefighters managed to hold back the flames. There was reportedly fire across the road from the Mount Piper Power Station today, but again they didn’t get close. Today:
Updated emergency warning for the Gospers Mountain fire, which is now 417,000ha in size.
Both the Springvale coalmine and the Mount Piper power station on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, under threat from the Gospers Mountain megafire, remain unburned.
The ABC has reported that the Springvale mine was surrounded by fire last night but firefighters managed to hold back the flames. There was reportedly fire across the road from the Mount Piper power station today but again they didn’t get close.
The Channel Seven helicopter is flying over Buxton, hit by the Green Wattle Creek fire today.The Channel Seven helicopter is flying over Buxton, hit by the Green Wattle Creek fire today.
Tahmoor coalmine evacuatedTahmoor coalmine evacuated
About 100 workers were evacuated from the Tahmoor coking mine, which is under threat from the Green Wattle Creek fire today.About 100 workers were evacuated from the Tahmoor coking mine, which is under threat from the Green Wattle Creek fire today.
The call to evacuate the underground mine came at 1pm, a spokesman for the company said. They have not had any updates since.The call to evacuate the underground mine came at 1pm, a spokesman for the company said. They have not had any updates since.
Mine management is working with the RFS on the protection of the site.Mine management is working with the RFS on the protection of the site.
In 2015, a bushfire spread into the Hazelwood coalmine in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The coal burned for 45 days, and the operators of the Hazelwood power station were last month found guilty of 10 WorkSafe offences for failing to adequately prepare for the fire.In 2015, a bushfire spread into the Hazelwood coalmine in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The coal burned for 45 days, and the operators of the Hazelwood power station were last month found guilty of 10 WorkSafe offences for failing to adequately prepare for the fire.
But, Tahmoor operator SIMEC Mining was at pains to point out, Hazelwood is an open-cut coalmine while they are underground, so the risk profile is different.But, Tahmoor operator SIMEC Mining was at pains to point out, Hazelwood is an open-cut coalmine while they are underground, so the risk profile is different.
I just spoke to the RFS, who say that their current estimate for fires damaged in the Green Wattle Creek fire near Balmoral and Bargo today is “up to 20 structures.”I just spoke to the RFS, who say that their current estimate for fires damaged in the Green Wattle Creek fire near Balmoral and Bargo today is “up to 20 structures.”
Earlier, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 20 properties were confirmed lost and another 20 were unconfirmed. There has been a bit of misinterpretation, says the RFS.Earlier, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 20 properties were confirmed lost and another 20 were unconfirmed. There has been a bit of misinterpretation, says the RFS.
They will not be able to do a proper damage assessment until the fire is no longer active in the area, which could be several days. That figure of 20 structures is conservative, but that’s the official figure.They will not be able to do a proper damage assessment until the fire is no longer active in the area, which could be several days. That figure of 20 structures is conservative, but that’s the official figure.
Queensland Police have revoked the emergency declaration which was in place around the Gregory River fire, southeast of Bundaberg. It had been in place since Monday afternoon.Queensland Police have revoked the emergency declaration which was in place around the Gregory River fire, southeast of Bundaberg. It had been in place since Monday afternoon.
So, that’s one bit of good news.So, that’s one bit of good news.
Angus Taylor will not discuss police investigationAngus Taylor will not discuss police investigation
Angus Taylor told ABC24 it was “not appropriate” for him to comment on a police investigation into a doctored document used by his office to justify a political attack on the lord mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Labor referred the matter to NSW police last month.Angus Taylor told ABC24 it was “not appropriate” for him to comment on a police investigation into a doctored document used by his office to justify a political attack on the lord mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Labor referred the matter to NSW police last month.
Taylor:Taylor:
ABC presenter Karina Carvalho pointed out that, actually, Taylor can comment unless charges have been laid and it will be subject to a trial by jury. That’s when the contempt period would begin.ABC presenter Karina Carvalho pointed out that, actually, Taylor can comment unless charges have been laid and it will be subject to a trial by jury. That’s when the contempt period would begin.
Taylor again:Taylor again:
Taylor’s statement in parliament left many questions unanswered, as Christopher Knaus explained here.Taylor’s statement in parliament left many questions unanswered, as Christopher Knaus explained here.
PM is ‘pretty well connected’, says Angus TaylorPM is ‘pretty well connected’, says Angus Taylor
Angus Taylor told ABC24 he had been in touch with prime minister Scott Morrison, who is on holidays, and he is “pretty well connected about what’s gone on.”Angus Taylor told ABC24 he had been in touch with prime minister Scott Morrison, who is on holidays, and he is “pretty well connected about what’s gone on.”
Taylor:Taylor:
Should the PM come home?Should the PM come home?
That’s a question Morrison will answer, says Taylor.That’s a question Morrison will answer, says Taylor.
The energy minister, Angus Taylor, has just done an interview with ABC24 from the Picton Bowling Club, which is in his electorate and an evacuation point for the Green Wattle Creek fire.The energy minister, Angus Taylor, has just done an interview with ABC24 from the Picton Bowling Club, which is in his electorate and an evacuation point for the Green Wattle Creek fire.
About 250 people are at the evacuation point, Taylor says. Emergency messages were sent out after the fire jumped containment lines.About 250 people are at the evacuation point, Taylor says. Emergency messages were sent out after the fire jumped containment lines.
Taylor said the RFS units in his electorate had been “hard at it for weeks”.Taylor said the RFS units in his electorate had been “hard at it for weeks”.
Asked if Australia was doing enough to combat climate change, given that Australia has just had its two hottest days ever and is currently on fire, Taylor said there have been fires since he was a kid.Asked if Australia was doing enough to combat climate change, given that Australia has just had its two hottest days ever and is currently on fire, Taylor said there have been fires since he was a kid.
Taylor:Taylor:
Yes, but what about the emissions?Yes, but what about the emissions?
Taylor’s positive account of his contribution at COP25, and Australia’s contribution to emissions reduction more generally, does not accord with that of the other attendees, who accused Australia of “cheating”. You can read environment editor Adam Morton’s account of it here.Taylor’s positive account of his contribution at COP25, and Australia’s contribution to emissions reduction more generally, does not accord with that of the other attendees, who accused Australia of “cheating”. You can read environment editor Adam Morton’s account of it here.
Property loss revised down to 20Property loss revised down to 20
The ABC has just reported that the actual number of houses destroyed today is 20, not up to 40.The ABC has just reported that the actual number of houses destroyed today is 20, not up to 40.
Earlier, Gladys Berejiklian said that there were 20 homes confirmed destroyed and 20 unconfirmed, but it seems there was some misinterpretation there.Earlier, Gladys Berejiklian said that there were 20 homes confirmed destroyed and 20 unconfirmed, but it seems there was some misinterpretation there.
We are seeking confirmation from the RFS.We are seeking confirmation from the RFS.
Updated emergency warning for Green Wattle CreekUpdated emergency warning for Green Wattle Creek
Fire activity is increasing on the eastern edge of the Bargo State Conservation Area, where up to 40 homes have already been destroyed today.Fire activity is increasing on the eastern edge of the Bargo State Conservation Area, where up to 40 homes have already been destroyed today.
Residents at Nattai, Pheasants Nest, Buxton, Couridjah, Thirlmere, Tahmoor, Bargo and Yanderra have been told to shelter from the fire because it is too late to leave.Residents at Nattai, Pheasants Nest, Buxton, Couridjah, Thirlmere, Tahmoor, Bargo and Yanderra have been told to shelter from the fire because it is too late to leave.
The RFS is reporting dangerous fire conditions across the fire ground with “eratic fire behaviour”.The RFS is reporting dangerous fire conditions across the fire ground with “eratic fire behaviour”.
Properties are currently under threat.Properties are currently under threat.
The loss of up to 40 properties today takes the total number of homes lost in NSW since the fire season began to 800.The loss of up to 40 properties today takes the total number of homes lost in NSW since the fire season began to 800.
As of 5.30pm there are 106 fires burning in NSW, exactly half of which are not contained.As of 5.30pm there are 106 fires burning in NSW, exactly half of which are not contained.
Two — Gospers Mountain and Green Wattle Creek fires — are at emergency warning level.Two — Gospers Mountain and Green Wattle Creek fires — are at emergency warning level.
There are 2,500 firefighters in the field.There are 2,500 firefighters in the field.
Firefighters’ homes are among those lost.Firefighters’ homes are among those lost.
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, told the ABC that the properties lost were on the eastern edge of the Green Wattle Creek fire, mainly in the communities of Balmoral and Buxton.The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, told the ABC that the properties lost were on the eastern edge of the Green Wattle Creek fire, mainly in the communities of Balmoral and Buxton.
That has been one of the most active areas of bushfire today. The firefighters who are in hospital receiving treatments for burns this afternoon were fighting in that region, in Bargo.That has been one of the most active areas of bushfire today. The firefighters who are in hospital receiving treatments for burns this afternoon were fighting in that region, in Bargo.
Berejiklian described the loss of homes as “tragic”.Berejiklian described the loss of homes as “tragic”.
Asked if she had requested any more resources or funding from the federal government to deal with the bushfire crisis, Berejiklian said:Asked if she had requested any more resources or funding from the federal government to deal with the bushfire crisis, Berejiklian said:
Twenty homes have been confirmed destroyed in the Green Wattle Creek fire today and another 20 are unconfirmed, says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.Twenty homes have been confirmed destroyed in the Green Wattle Creek fire today and another 20 are unconfirmed, says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.