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NSW and Qld fires: South Australia also faces catastrophic bushfire risk as PM apologises for holiday – live NSW and Qld fires: South Australia also faces catastrophic bushfires risk – live
(32 minutes later)
Catastrophic bushfire conditions expected for several SA regions, Queensland faces severe fire danger and Melbourne weather forecast for hottest ever December day, as Morrison says he ‘deeply regrets any offence caused’ by holiday. Follow the latest news and updatesCatastrophic bushfire conditions expected for several SA regions, Queensland faces severe fire danger and Melbourne weather forecast for hottest ever December day, as Morrison says he ‘deeply regrets any offence caused’ by holiday. Follow the latest news and updates
NSW is set for “dangerously hot” conditions tomorrow, with maximum temperatures of 47 degrees and treacherous surf. Emergency management minister David Littleproud is speaking now.
He says that “retrospectively”, PM Scott Morrison might not have gone on holiday if he had known how bad the bushfire crisis would be.
“You cannot predict mother nature,” he says. “And as this has intensified, obviously the prime minister has made the decision he needed to come back. Retrospectively, it would have been great to know, and he might not have taken his leave”.A reporter asks, given the fires had begun before Morrison left, should “he probably have stuck around”?
“That’s a matter of commentary,” Littleproud says. He says “there were always mechanisms in place” for other members of the executive to keep people safe in emergencies.
“He is a human being and we all know time to recharge. I personally needed time to recharge as well. I am no saint in comparison to these brave men and women on the front line “
In contrast, here is the view of Parliament House last night.
An update on the Cuddle Creek fire: The SA Country fire service is appealing to people to shelter from the fire in solid buildings.
Eight water-bombing aircraft and 34 fire trucks have been deployed to the out-of-control bushfire burning in the Adelaide Hills under catastrophic weather conditions, AAP reports.
An Emergency Warning is in place for the blaze at Cudlee Creek which is burning in a southerly direction.
The Country Fire Service says it is an immediate threat to lives and homes as it burns uncontrolled in grassland.
Conditions in the area are continually changing.
A second fire has also broken out north of the city at Angle Vale.
The fires come as SA is set to have its worst day for fire conditions so far this summer with catastrophic risk declared in six districts.
Areas affected include Cudlee Creek, Lenswood and Lobethal at Mount Crawford, Forest Fox Creek North of Croft Road, between Cudlee Creek and Lenswood.
In NSW, evacuees from the fire are recovering from their experiences yesterday and preparing for what is to come.
In the state’s southern highlands, Craig Madsen is in charge of one of the many evacuation centres.
The Mittagong RSL has become an evacuation site for those affected by the highly volatile Green Wattle Creek fire – the only NSW fire still at emergency today.
Yesterday the flames flared near Bargo, jumped up into the trees, destroyed dozens of homes and injured five firefighters, two of them seriously.
“When that fire flared up, it splits the shire in half, to a degree,” Madsen says. Parts of the region came to Mittagong, more went north to Picton bowling club.“We had some people who escaped to the south to us, and a significant proportion, around Balmoral, Tahmoor, they went to the north.”Today, he says, it has quietened down. But tomorrow the forecast is for extreme danger.
NSW is set for “dangerously hot” conditions tomorrow, with maximum temperatures of 47C and treacherous surf.
And the Bureau of Meteorology warns that when a cool change comes through on Saturday afternoon the winds will be close to gale-force.And the Bureau of Meteorology warns that when a cool change comes through on Saturday afternoon the winds will be close to gale-force.
Saturday could be even hotter than yesterday, when two firefighters were killed and several others hospitalised during an exhausting day battling out-of-control bushfires. Saturday could be even hotter than yesterday, when two firefighters were killed and several others admitted to hospital during an exhausting day battling out-of-control bushfires.
BOM acting NSW manager Jane Golding said temperatures would again rise into the mid-40s, with Penrith expecting a maximum of 47 degrees and coastal areas hitting the mid-to-high 30s, AAP reports. The bureau’s acting NSW manager, Jane Golding, said temperatures would again rise into the mid-40s, with Penrith expecting a maximum of 47C and coastal areas hitting the mid-to-high 30s, AAP reports.
“That’s dangerously hot weather,” Ms Golding said. “That’s dangerously hot weather,” Golding said.
A gusty cool change is also expected on Saturday, which will bring some relief from the heat for central and southern NSW but create challenging fire conditions.A gusty cool change is also expected on Saturday, which will bring some relief from the heat for central and southern NSW but create challenging fire conditions.
“Those southerlies when they come through (will) be close to gale force,” Ms Golding said. “The other thing with this system is it is bringing through some swell behind it, so dangerous conditions in the waters on the beach tomorrow as well.” “Those southerlies when they come through [will] be close to gale-force,” Golding said. “The other thing with this system is it is bringing through some swell behind it, so dangerous conditions in the waters on the beach tomorrow as well.”
The good news is that once the cooler weather arrives, it should stick around “for quite a few days”, Ms Golding said. The good news is that once the cooler weather arrives, it should stick around “for quite a few days”, Golding said.
Extinction Rebellion protestors have taken over Sydney’s CBD, staging a dramatic protest on Pitt Street this morning. Extinction Rebellion protesters have taken over Sydney’s CBD, staging a dramatic protest on Pitt Street this morning.
The extreme heat in Victoria has caused several sporting events to be rescheduled or even cancelled.The extreme heat in Victoria has caused several sporting events to be rescheduled or even cancelled.
Melbourne Victory’s W-League match against Brisbane Roar has been moved from Friday night to Saturday morning.Melbourne Victory’s W-League match against Brisbane Roar has been moved from Friday night to Saturday morning.
The game was scheduled to kick off at 5pm on Friday at Epping Stadium but, due to a forecast temperature of 42.6°C at kick-off, the FFA elected to move the game. It will now take place at 10.30am on Saturday, allowing the fixture to be held before the Roar fly back to Brisbane that afternoon.The game was scheduled to kick off at 5pm on Friday at Epping Stadium but, due to a forecast temperature of 42.6°C at kick-off, the FFA elected to move the game. It will now take place at 10.30am on Saturday, allowing the fixture to be held before the Roar fly back to Brisbane that afternoon.
New Zealand’s cricketers have abandoned the opening day of their warm-up game ahead of the second Test against Australia because of sweltering conditions forecast for Melbourne. Team management cancelled Friday’s play on player welfare grounds because of a predicted maximum temperature ranging from 43C to 45C.New Zealand’s cricketers have abandoned the opening day of their warm-up game ahead of the second Test against Australia because of sweltering conditions forecast for Melbourne. Team management cancelled Friday’s play on player welfare grounds because of a predicted maximum temperature ranging from 43C to 45C.
The match against a Victoria XI at Scotch College, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, will become a one-day first-class match.The match against a Victoria XI at Scotch College, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, will become a one-day first-class match.
And Racing Victoria has called off Friday night’s horse racing meeting at Moonee Valley because of the extreme heat.And Racing Victoria has called off Friday night’s horse racing meeting at Moonee Valley because of the extreme heat.
“Following consultation with our vets and the BOM it was determined that abandoning the meeting was the most appropriate decision for the welfare of our horses and participants,” RV said.“Following consultation with our vets and the BOM it was determined that abandoning the meeting was the most appropriate decision for the welfare of our horses and participants,” RV said.
The representative body for rural firefighters has issued a statement mourning the loss of the two volunteers killed last night.The representative body for rural firefighters has issued a statement mourning the loss of the two volunteers killed last night.
The NSW Rural Fire Service Association president, Brian McDonough, said: “The RFS family is in mourning. Our hearts are breaking for the families, friends, and fellow crew members of Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton and Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer from Horsley Park Brigade.The NSW Rural Fire Service Association president, Brian McDonough, said: “The RFS family is in mourning. Our hearts are breaking for the families, friends, and fellow crew members of Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton and Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer from Horsley Park Brigade.
“Our members know that what we do can be dangerous, but nothing can take away the pain we all feel when facing such terrible loss.”“Our members know that what we do can be dangerous, but nothing can take away the pain we all feel when facing such terrible loss.”
You can read more about the loss of these two men, both of whom were fathers, here.You can read more about the loss of these two men, both of whom were fathers, here.
An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire burning out of control in the Adelaide Hills.An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire burning out of control in the Adelaide Hills.
The Country Fire Service issued the warning for the fire, which is burning amid catastrophic weather conditions.The Country Fire Service issued the warning for the fire, which is burning amid catastrophic weather conditions.
The CFS says the blaze near Cudlee Creek is an immediate threat to lives and homes.The CFS says the blaze near Cudlee Creek is an immediate threat to lives and homes.
The fire is burning uncontrolled in grassland and firefighters are unable to stop it spreading, AAP reports.The fire is burning uncontrolled in grassland and firefighters are unable to stop it spreading, AAP reports.
The day has barely started but South Australia is already sweltering. It’s not even 10am local time and Adelaide has surpassed the 40C mark.The day has barely started but South Australia is already sweltering. It’s not even 10am local time and Adelaide has surpassed the 40C mark.
The highest temperature so far in SA is 43.5°C, at Roseworthy.The highest temperature so far in SA is 43.5°C, at Roseworthy.
I don’t know if you noticed, but it was pretty hot yesterday. But not that hot, according to the Australian today, which has dedicated a large portion of its fire coverage to assuring readers that the Bureau of Meteorology is “cooling the past”to declare current heat record.I don’t know if you noticed, but it was pretty hot yesterday. But not that hot, according to the Australian today, which has dedicated a large portion of its fire coverage to assuring readers that the Bureau of Meteorology is “cooling the past”to declare current heat record.
It’s a shame this blog doesn’t have emojis, because this seems the occasion for a face-palm.It’s a shame this blog doesn’t have emojis, because this seems the occasion for a face-palm.
The Oz quotes Dr Jennifer Marohasy, who has a PhD in biology and whose previous work on climate change and temperature analysis with the Institute of Public Affairs has been decried as “junk science”. She believes that the methodology of the bureau’s temperature calculations is “totally flawed” and that none of the weather we are experiencing is unprecedented.The Oz quotes Dr Jennifer Marohasy, who has a PhD in biology and whose previous work on climate change and temperature analysis with the Institute of Public Affairs has been decried as “junk science”. She believes that the methodology of the bureau’s temperature calculations is “totally flawed” and that none of the weather we are experiencing is unprecedented.
Good morning, this is Amy Corderoy taking over from Naaman Zhou on the blog this morning.
We’ve got a good read on our opinion pages from Brigid Delaney this morning, on the how 2019 has come to be defined by fire and ash.
Yesterday was Adelaide’s hottest night in 11 years, and the hottest night on record for the West Terrace observation site, on the edge of the CBD.
It only cooled to 33.6C degrees – at 10:24pm. At 11pm, it was back up to 37.9C.
It’s already 38.3C there now, as of 8.30am local time.
The RFS has just shared the details of the two volunteers tragically killed last night.
They were 32-year-old deputy captain Geoffrey Keaton, and 36-year old Andrew O’Dwyer. Both were from the Horsley Park brigade.
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has also just spoken.
“It’s with a heavy heart this morning that we, of course, confirm the deaths of two RFS volunteers overnight,” she said. “It is a tragic blow for their family, for the RFS, extended family and of course for the entire community, and out of respect for those two brave outstanding young men, flags will be at half-mast today throughout the state.
“What the incident overnight demonstrates, which Commissioner Fitzsimmons will give further details on, is how fragile situations can be ... Today milder conditions exist throughout the state but we still have two fire spots – hot spots – that are concerning RFS.”
She says people should check the Fires Near Me app, and live traffic sites.
“The best thing we can do to support our firefighters today, tomorrow especially as conditions will worsen, and across the next few days, is to make sure we take their advice.”
The state’s emergency services minister, David Elliot, adds that it “really is a black armband day for the Rural Fire Service”.
“The loss of these two young men, just dads from western Sydney, is a real tragedy.”
Anthony Albanese has defended Scott Morrison’s holiday, saying it was a personal matter.
“It is a matter for the prime minister,” the opposition leader said. “He made the decision and it is a matter for his judgment when he goes on holiday.
“I think one of the issues has been the lack of information and transparency around this.”
But he said Morrison should retract comments he made earlier in the month, that volunteer firefighters “wanted to be there”.
“He should really retract those comments that he made because it was raised with me on multiple occasions this morning. Those comments are inappropriate. These people don’t want to be out fighting fires.”
Albanese said there should be a more national response, and more support for the state-based volunteer crews.
“We need to do much better at providing that support because this is not business as usual. These are extraordinary fires ... But we need to do much better right now as well.”
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull have both expressed their condolences to the families of the two firefighters who died last night.
Scott Morrison has just been interviewed on 2GB radio.
He says he made the decision to return home “as soon as possible” after the news of the deaths of RFS volunteers overnight.
But when asked specifically when he would return, he said he still did not know. Yesterday the acting PM, Michael McCormack, said Morrison was due to return to the PM role on Monday night.
Morrison was just asked when he would return. He said: “We are still trying to arrange that. We are working on that right now.”
He was also asked whether he understood how Australians could think it odd that news of his leave came while he was not in Australia but already overseas. He said he had been open about the leave.
“Michael [McCormack] stood up as acting PM on Monday,” he said. “I texted Anthony Albanese on Monday saying that Michael would be acting prime minister for the next week.”
He did confirm that he was in Hawaii. “The girls and Jen love holidaying in Hawaii and we’ve had a few nice days here,” he said.
“We spend a lot of time in Australia as well. We had planned to spend it down the south coast but we had to bring it forward due to those commitments in India and Japan.
“That’s what dads try and do when they work hard all year ... That’s all I was trying to do. It’s just unfortunate it came at such an awful time.
“I am pleased to be returning,” he said.
As of this morning, one fire in NSW is still at emergency level, the Green Wattle Creek fire, in the Wollondilly shire.
The huge Gospers Mountain fire, in the Blue Mountains, is at watch and act, after it flared to emergency yesterday.
There is still a total fire ban effective across NSW, which lasts until the end of Saturday – and a total fire ban today for SA.
Welcome to our continuing coverage of this week’s record-breaking heatwave, and the months-long bushfire crisis.
In unbearably sad news overnight, two Rural Fire Services volunteer firefighters have been confirmed to have died last night, when their truck overturned near Buxton in south-west Sydney. Three other members of the same crew are injured.
This comes after another crew of five was injured on Thursday afternoon. Two firefighters were airlifted to hospital with serious burns.
And just this morning, Scott Morrison issued a statement, apologising for “any offence caused” by his personal family leave, taken this week, and saying he will return “as soon as can be arranged”.
Yesterday, the acting prime minister, Michael McCormack, said Morrison would return to the job on Monday night.
On Wednesday, Australia experienced its hottest day on record, breaking the mark previously set on Tuesday.