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Australia fires: NSW, Victoria, SA, Qld and WA all face extreme bushfires risk – live Australia fires: NSW, Victoria, SA, Qld and WA all face extreme bushfires risk – live
(32 minutes later)
Melbourne shrouded in smoke haze from bushfires, catastrophic fire danger forecast for parts of New South Wales, including Greater Sydney, and almost 70 fires rage across Queensland. Follow the latest news and updates Melbourne shrouded in smoke haze from bushfires, catastrophic fire danger forecast for parts of New South Wales, including Greater Sydney, homes feared lost in Adelaide, South Australia and almost 70 fires rage across Queensland. Follow the latest news and updates
More than 800 buildings have now been lost to the NSW fires, with more to come amidst catastrophic conditions tomorrow.
“I think that’s a fairly sure thing that we will lose homes somewhere tomorrow. It would be a miracle if we didn’t,” deputy commissioner Rob Rogers says.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has warned people living in catastrophic fire danger areas that they cannot count on the service to arrive in time to save them tomorrow.
Deputy commissioner Rob Rogers told a press briefing this afternoon that people should consider relocating.
“Do not put yourself near an isolated bush area if your home is directly on the bush. Do not be there in the heat of the day. We cannot guarantee [we will] get firetrucks to you.
“We have so much in the landscape. We will do our best but we cannot guarantee that.”
He said a number of major thoroughfares in and out of towns could be affected.
“Princes Highway will be affected by tomorrow. We have the Great Western Highway, the Bells Line of Road is already closed.”
Fire activity is increasing again in Gospers Mountain.
A well-known vineyard is burning under catastrophic conditions in the Adelaide Hills.
Golding Wines, near Charleston, is in the middle of the danger zone for the out-of-control Cudlee Creek fire.
According to Nine News, “thousands” of vines were burning at the property and flames were licking toward Cellar Door. The winery hasn’t confirmed the extent of the loss, except to reply to one well-wisher on Twitter.
The Country Fire Authority in South Australia said “quite a number of properties” had been impacted by the Cudlee Creek fire, but that it was too early to confirm numbers.
The out-of-control fire burning in the Adelaide Hills is unlikely to be contained soon, according to the state’s fire service.The out-of-control fire burning in the Adelaide Hills is unlikely to be contained soon, according to the state’s fire service.
Country Fire Service chief Mark Jones said crews were battling thick smoke as the fire continued to head South East and burn towards the towns of Charleston, Woodside and Inverbrackie. Country Fire Service chief Mark Jones said crews were battling thick smoke as the fire continued to head south-east and burn towards the towns of Charleston, Woodside and Inverbrackie.
Mr Jones said the terrain and the prevailing conditions were proving particularly challenging for fire crews. Jones said the terrain and the prevailing conditions were proving particularly challenging for fire crews.
“Access is difficult and dangerous for firefighters, the lack of visibility also makes it very difficult for crews,” he said.“Access is difficult and dangerous for firefighters, the lack of visibility also makes it very difficult for crews,” he said.
Spot fires ahead of the main front were also thought to have damaged some properties around the town of Lobethal.Spot fires ahead of the main front were also thought to have damaged some properties around the town of Lobethal.
Many locals residents had opted to leave but some were remaining to defend their homes.Many locals residents had opted to leave but some were remaining to defend their homes.
The most recent emergency-level fire to threaten lives and homes in South Australia was triggered by lightening strikes, the Country Fire Service has confirmed.The most recent emergency-level fire to threaten lives and homes in South Australia was triggered by lightening strikes, the Country Fire Service has confirmed.
“This isn’t just one lightning strike, there have been a number of lightning strikes. There is quite a grouping of fires in that area. Some are appearing to move towards together,” Deputy Chief Officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, Andrew Stark, has just told ABC television.“This isn’t just one lightning strike, there have been a number of lightning strikes. There is quite a grouping of fires in that area. Some are appearing to move towards together,” Deputy Chief Officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, Andrew Stark, has just told ABC television.
“We have a number of aircraft working on that fire, as well as the aircraft we have working back in the Adelaide Hills, four on the firing Peninsula at this stage, and seven swing bombers and helicopter is working on the fire back in the Adelaide Hills.“We have a number of aircraft working on that fire, as well as the aircraft we have working back in the Adelaide Hills, four on the firing Peninsula at this stage, and seven swing bombers and helicopter is working on the fire back in the Adelaide Hills.
“Currently, the two groups who have come to our assistance from New South Wales and Victoria are on the ground given that they are unsafe to operate in the Adelaide Hills at this time.”“Currently, the two groups who have come to our assistance from New South Wales and Victoria are on the ground given that they are unsafe to operate in the Adelaide Hills at this time.”
The fire at Angle Vale, previously at emergency level, has been brought under control.The fire at Angle Vale, previously at emergency level, has been brought under control.
People have been urged to leave Brookville, in Victoria, with an out-of-control bushfire threatening homes.People have been urged to leave Brookville, in Victoria, with an out-of-control bushfire threatening homes.
A “watch and act” warning was issued on Friday for residents of Brookville, in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, about 390km north-east of Melbourne.A “watch and act” warning was issued on Friday for residents of Brookville, in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, about 390km north-east of Melbourne.
“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” the warning reads.“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” the warning reads.
Three NSW regions including Greater Sydney are set to endure catastrophic fire danger on Saturday amid intense heat, strong winds and dry conditions.The NSW Rural Fire Service has forecast catastrophic fire danger for parts of the state - including Greater Sydney - as another “dangerously hot” day looms.Three NSW regions including Greater Sydney are set to endure catastrophic fire danger on Saturday amid intense heat, strong winds and dry conditions.The NSW Rural Fire Service has forecast catastrophic fire danger for parts of the state - including Greater Sydney - as another “dangerously hot” day looms.
The RFS on Friday confirmed that Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and the Southern Ranges would on Saturday endure catastrophic fire risks.The RFS on Friday confirmed that Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and the Southern Ranges would on Saturday endure catastrophic fire risks.
Greater Hunter and the Central Ranges would experience extreme fire risk.Greater Hunter and the Central Ranges would experience extreme fire risk.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned temperatures could rise into the mid-40s in western Sydney on Saturday, with strong winds and intensely dry conditions creating additional danger.The Bureau of Meteorology warned temperatures could rise into the mid-40s in western Sydney on Saturday, with strong winds and intensely dry conditions creating additional danger.
The RFS will address media on Friday afternoon.The RFS will address media on Friday afternoon.
An emergency fire warning has been issued for Maitland, in the Yorke Peninsula.An emergency fire warning has been issued for Maitland, in the Yorke Peninsula.
It is now too late to leave and the Country Fire Service advises taking shelter in a solid building.It is now too late to leave and the Country Fire Service advises taking shelter in a solid building.
Trying to find some good news today is pretty difficult. So please accept these adorable rescue puppies for your viewing pleasure.Trying to find some good news today is pretty difficult. So please accept these adorable rescue puppies for your viewing pleasure.
And the record for hottest December day in Victoria falls as well.And the record for hottest December day in Victoria falls as well.
Geoff Goldrick, a deputy captain with the NSW Rural Fire Service in Northern NSW, has written a powerful piece reflecting on the extraordinary events of this year.Geoff Goldrick, a deputy captain with the NSW Rural Fire Service in Northern NSW, has written a powerful piece reflecting on the extraordinary events of this year.