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Australia fires live: emergency warning for Grose Valley bushfire in NSW as SA firefighters helped by cooler conditions – latest NSW fires live: premier says ‘not much left in Balmoral’ as bushfires continue to rage – latest
(32 minutes later)
PM says link between extreme weather and climate change won’t change policy. Victoria and South Australia 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 South Australia still under bushfire threat as NSW surveys damage. Follow the latest news and updates
From AAP:
More than 3000 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 127-kilometre 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:
Gladys Berejiklian:
Gladys Berejiklian is addressing the media – she is formally announcing the additional areas who can now access the disaster relief funding.
Scott Morrison and Gladys Berejiklian have arrived at one of the Green Wattle creek fire evacuation centres – the Picton Bowling Club.Scott Morrison and Gladys Berejiklian have arrived at one of the Green Wattle creek fire evacuation centres – the Picton Bowling Club.
About a dozen people had stayed there last night.About a dozen people had stayed there last night.
If you haven’t seen it, Lenore Taylor has written on what she took out of Scott Morrison’s press conference. A taste:If you haven’t seen it, Lenore Taylor has written on what she took out of Scott Morrison’s press conference. A taste:
You’ll find the whole thing here:You’ll find the whole thing here:
Two more areas have been given access to disaster recovery funding. From the release:Two more areas have been given access to disaster recovery funding. From the release:
Victoria Mackinlay has published this photo of dead ladybugs washing up on Bondi beach, surrounded by ashVictoria Mackinlay has published this photo of dead ladybugs washing up on Bondi beach, surrounded by ash
The ACCC has responded to the National Electricity Market price report – and it is not as rosy as Angus Taylor made out.The ACCC has responded to the National Electricity Market price report – and it is not as rosy as Angus Taylor made out.
From the ACCC public media release:From the ACCC public media release:
A very welcome piece of good news from the NSW RFS – a missing man has been found, safe.A very welcome piece of good news from the NSW RFS – a missing man has been found, safe.
Scott Morrison is still making his way to an evacuation centre in Picton
I’ve just been alerted to Scott Morrison addressing the US and Canadian fire fighters at the Sydney RFS headquarters, which was shown on Sunrise (which is why I missed it the first time).
He cracked a joke about Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Let’s hope he is talking about Trudeau’s love of a selfie, given the circumstances.:
The Grose Valley fire has been raised to “emergency”.
The smoke haze has hit Brisbane.
As of 10:30am AEDT, here’s what we know the fire situation is across Australia at the moment.
In New South Wales there are five fires at watch and act level: Gospers Mountain fire, Green Wattle Creek, Grose Valley, Kerry Ridge, and Upper Turon Rd, Palmers Oaky.
In Victoria there are three fires at watch and act level: Tambo Crossing and Wattle Creek, Ensay and Reedy Flat and Brookville.
In South Australia there are still two fires burning at Duncan and Menzies on Kangaroo Island, and a watch and act in place for a fire in Cudlee Creek.
The weather conditions are a bit milder than yesterday, and there’s no emergency warnings currently in place, but we will update if that changes over the course of the day.
Just before Scott Morrison’s press conference, RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons* gave an update on the NSW fires:
*apologies for the typo in the original post
Anthony Albanese will be up at 1pm.
I imagine he wants Scott Morrison’s press conference to sit and marinate for a while, before he adds his two cents, given you know, the prime minister wants us all to be kinder to each other, and leave any division to the side - unless of course, you need to make your own political point.
For example:
Scott Morrison at the beginning of the press conference:
Scott Morrison half way through the press conference:
This ‘debate’ if you can call it that, given Chris Smith seems to have decided his job, now that he is returning to Sydney radio 2GB is just to yell over anyone who has a different view, or you know, the facts, sums up most of the country right now: