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NSW fires live: premier says ‘not much left in Balmoral’ as South Australia bushfires continue to rage – latest NSW fires live: premier says ‘not much left in Balmoral’ as South Australia bushfires continue to rage – latest
(32 minutes later)
PM says link between extreme weather and climate change won’t change policy. Victoria and SA still under bushfire threat as NSW surveys damage. Follow the latest news and updatesPM says link between extreme weather and climate change won’t change policy. Victoria and SA still under bushfire threat as NSW surveys damage. Follow the latest news and updates
Anthony Albanese on Scott Morrison’s return from Hawaii (earlier in the week, Albanese said he would not be criticising the PM for taking leave) You can hear the terror and the frustration in this video.
These fires – they are different. It’s not just authorities saying it. It’s those on the ground, the “quiet Australians” who have lived through previous seasons, but not like this.
Which is why politicians saying they’ve seen smoke haze in Sydney before, or that we’ve always had fires, or quoting Dorothea Mackellar is not good enough, on any measure.
NSW police say a man is missing in Lithgow, following a fire.
From AAP: NSW police say a man is missing from the rural village of Bell after a huge bushfire tore through the Lithgow area, destroying dozens of buildings.
The man in his 60 or 70s lives on a remote property in Bell and the area was engulfed in fire on Saturday, NSW police chief inspector Chris Sammut said on Sunday.
Another elderly man who had been missing from neighbouring Dargan has been located “safe and sound”, the Rural Fire Service tweeted on Sunday morning.
He was found at an evacuation centre in Lithgow which was threatened by the huge Gospers Mountain megafire over the weekend.
Sammut said the man who was still unaccounted for lived on one of the remotest properties in Bell.
“He may have self-evacuated or went to stay with friends and we want the public to let us know any information they have to assist us locate this missing person,” he said.
Sammut confirmed up to five properties were burned in Lithgow on Saturday while about 30 buildings were lost in Clarence and Dargan.
Those numbers include sheds and other structures.
About 350 residential homes in Lithgow remained without power on Sunday afternoon.
For those who missed the prime minister’s press conference, here is the beginning, including where he apologises for causing anxiety:
Bits and pieces are slowly coming out of Balmoral.
Anthony Albanese says he won’t be leaving Australia this summer, and thanked David Littleproud for being “exemplary” in providing the opposition with briefings.
Back to Scott Morrison’s decision to leave Australia, Anthony Albanese says:
Anthony Albanese on Scott Morrison’s assertion his government won’t be changing its emissions reduction policy:
Anthony Albanese on Scott Morrison’s return from Hawaii. (Earlier in the week, Albanese said he would not be criticising the PM for taking leave.)
Australian Associated Press has an update on the South Australian situation:Australian Associated Press has an update on the South Australian situation:
Smoke from the Adelaide Hills bushfire had dropped the city’s air quality rating to poor.Smoke from the Adelaide Hills bushfire had dropped the city’s air quality rating to poor.
The Environment Protection Authority says air quality readings are improving but parts of the hills and metropolitan area remain affected by bushfire smoke.The Environment Protection Authority says air quality readings are improving but parts of the hills and metropolitan area remain affected by bushfire smoke.
The situation on Sunday was further exacerbated by an early morning temperature inversion layer which kept smoke low to the ground.The situation on Sunday was further exacerbated by an early morning temperature inversion layer which kept smoke low to the ground.
The EPA said anyone with health issues or concerns should stay inside with windows and doors closed.The EPA said anyone with health issues or concerns should stay inside with windows and doors closed.
A watch and act warning remains in place for the blaze, with the Country Fire Service reporting some renewed fire activity within the 127km perimeter.A watch and act warning remains in place for the blaze, with the Country Fire Service reporting some renewed fire activity within the 127km perimeter.
The fire has burnt through more than 25,000 hectares and destroyed at least 15 homes.The fire has burnt through more than 25,000 hectares and destroyed at least 15 homes.
Before it was sparked on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology also reported that smoke from the NSW bushfires had made its way to Adelaide.Before it was sparked on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology also reported that smoke from the NSW bushfires had made its way to Adelaide.
Anthony Albanese has just held his press conference in Rozelle.Anthony Albanese has just held his press conference in Rozelle.
Unfortunately it hasn’t been broadcast as yet, and I am in Canberra, so I will bring that to you as soon as I can.Unfortunately it hasn’t been broadcast as yet, and I am in Canberra, so I will bring that to you as soon as I can.
We are still waiting on Anthony Albanese’s press conference.We are still waiting on Anthony Albanese’s press conference.
It should be soon.It should be soon.
The smoke has officially made its way north.The smoke has officially made its way north.
Which brings Scott Morrison back in to the frame:Which brings Scott Morrison back in to the frame:
The commissioner finishes with how proud he is of the fire services:The commissioner finishes with how proud he is of the fire services:
Shane Fitzsimmons on Balmoral:Shane Fitzsimmons on Balmoral:
Commissioner Fitzsimmons on what is coming up:
RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on that same issue:
Scott Morrison on the fatigue volunteers are facing:
Scott Morrison on the scheduled March Coag:
From Australian Associated Press:
More than 3,000 properties in the Adelaide Hills remain without power as a result of the devastating bushfire that swept through the region and continues to burn.
SA Power Networks says crews are working in a number of areas to restore electricity supply.
But it says the timeframe to have all power restored is unclear, and in some cases it could take several days depending on access and the extent of the damage.
The company said it had already identified a number of spots where trees had fallen on powerlines.
“Anyone in fire-damaged areas is urged to keep clear of power poles and wires as there may still be some that haven’t been inspected,” it said.
Among those without electricity are properties in Woodside, Lenswood, Mt Torrens, Charleston and Lobethal.
The Adelaide Hills fire has so far burnt out more than 25,000 hectares inside a 127km perimeter.
A watch and act warning remains in place for the blaze which has destroyed at least 15 homes.
RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says fire authorities don’t expect any real relief in terms of conditions until well into January.
Gladys Berejiklian:
Question: There’s been concern in Balmoral specifically about when people will be able to get back in and see whether or not their home is still standing?
Berejiklian:
Scott Morrison:
Scott Morrison is called to the front – he starts with a repeated call for “kindness”:
Berejiklian finishes with this: