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Australia fires live: NSW and SA count cost of bushfires after Balmoral and Cudlee Creek devastation – latest Australia fires live: NSW and SA count cost of bushfires after Balmoral and Cudlee Creek devastation – latest
(32 minutes later)
Residents in South Australia and New South Wales wait to discover the extent of devastation from the weekend’s fires. Follow today’s events liveResidents in South Australia and New South Wales wait to discover the extent of devastation from the weekend’s fires. Follow today’s events live
NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers has warned against complacency in the cooler weather.
He told a press briefing that the RFS will attempt to take advantage of the cooler conditions over the coming days by undertaking hazard reduction burns, but “the threat is by no means passed for the Blue Mountains”.
Morrison has also downplayed claims that his office lied about his overseas holiday:
Paul Karp writes:
Although several journalists reported that the prime minister’s office had denied he was in Hawaii, Morrison deflected a question about the lack of transparency by claiming it was an “issue the media’s got very excited about and my political opponents are seeking to exploit”.
Scott Morrison has claimed climate change is “as important now” amid an extended bushfire crisis and a record-breaking heatwave as it was at the election and denied that the government is split over whether to improve Australia’s policy response, writes Paul Karp.
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay has released this video with member for the Blue Mountains and spokesperson on emergency services Trish Doyle. McKay says:
The Currowan fire has merged with the Tianjana fire.The Currowan fire has merged with the Tianjana fire.
“No Gladys, we haven’t been destroyed” says the NSW town of Balmoral.“No Gladys, we haven’t been destroyed” says the NSW town of Balmoral.
In case you missed it, here are Helen Davidson and Jessica Hromas reporting from the fire ground in NSW yesterday:In case you missed it, here are Helen Davidson and Jessica Hromas reporting from the fire ground in NSW yesterday:
New South WalesNew South Wales
110 fires, of which almost 60 are uncontained.110 fires, of which almost 60 are uncontained.
2 volunteer firefighters, Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer, killed as well as four others on the mid-north coast: Vivian Chaplain, 69, and George Nole, Julie Fletcher, 63, and an unnamed 58-year-old man.2 volunteer firefighters, Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer, killed as well as four others on the mid-north coast: Vivian Chaplain, 69, and George Nole, Julie Fletcher, 63, and an unnamed 58-year-old man.
100 buildings destroyed over weekend alone.100 buildings destroyed over weekend alone.
Smoke continues to affect Sydney.Smoke continues to affect Sydney.
Fires: Gospers Mountain blaze (areas hardest hit include Lithgow and along the Bells Line of Road in the upper Blue Mountains); Green Wattle Creek fire (devastating Wollondilly Shire villages of Buxton and Bargo, and wiping out small town of Balmoral); Currowan blaze (has hit communities near Nerriga, north of Batemans Bay).Fires: Gospers Mountain blaze (areas hardest hit include Lithgow and along the Bells Line of Road in the upper Blue Mountains); Green Wattle Creek fire (devastating Wollondilly Shire villages of Buxton and Bargo, and wiping out small town of Balmoral); Currowan blaze (has hit communities near Nerriga, north of Batemans Bay).
VictoriaVictoria
Two blazes still burning uncontrolled in Tambo Crossing in East Gippsland and Hotspur, Digby, in the western district.Two blazes still burning uncontrolled in Tambo Crossing in East Gippsland and Hotspur, Digby, in the western district.
Bushfires in East Gippsland burning since ThursdayBushfires in East Gippsland burning since Thursday
Cooler conditions have given firefighters a reprieve but smoke from the fires and from NSW expected to make air quality hazardous.Cooler conditions have given firefighters a reprieve but smoke from the fires and from NSW expected to make air quality hazardous.
South AustraliaSouth Australia
Huge fire burning in Adelaide Hills.Huge fire burning in Adelaide Hills.
One killed (Ron Selth, 69), three more in hospital with burns.One killed (Ron Selth, 69), three more in hospital with burns.
25,000 hectares burned within a 127km perimeter.25,000 hectares burned within a 127km perimeter.
72 homes confirmed lost along with 404 other buildings and 227 vehicles over the weekend.72 homes confirmed lost along with 404 other buildings and 227 vehicles over the weekend.
Significant losses to crops, including vineyards and hundreds of sheep killed.Significant losses to crops, including vineyards and hundreds of sheep killed.
Most concern centred on difficult terrain around the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir at Castambul.Most concern centred on difficult terrain around the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir at Castambul.
QueenslandQueensland
About 60 fires burning within containment lines across the state.About 60 fires burning within containment lines across the state.
Severe fire conditions in the central highlands and Coalfields and upper Flinders region in central Queensland.Severe fire conditions in the central highlands and Coalfields and upper Flinders region in central Queensland.
Cooler conditions, some rain expected around Christmas Eve.Cooler conditions, some rain expected around Christmas Eve.
Smoke haze from NSW fires.Smoke haze from NSW fires.
Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Lives and homes threatened by bushfires in Perth’s Hills region around Roleystone. in the city’s south-east and a massive blaze at Yanchep, north of Perth, last week before being downgraded.Lives and homes threatened by bushfires in Perth’s Hills region around Roleystone. in the city’s south-east and a massive blaze at Yanchep, north of Perth, last week before being downgraded.
Firefighters battled heatwave conditions for much of the six-day fire, saving thousands of properties.Firefighters battled heatwave conditions for much of the six-day fire, saving thousands of properties.
One house and a Yanchep petrol station were destroyed; about 13,000 hectares were burned.One house and a Yanchep petrol station were destroyed; about 13,000 hectares were burned.
TasmaniaTasmania
Two bushfires north of Launceston were brought under control at the end of November.Two bushfires north of Launceston were brought under control at the end of November.
Northern Territory NT last saw major fires in September when there were nine active fire grounds.Northern Territory NT last saw major fires in September when there were nine active fire grounds.
(Thanks to AAP for the summary).(Thanks to AAP for the summary).
I think everyone in the country is united in the hope that these easing conditions will help our firefighters get on top of the fires, and maybe get a little bit of a break over Christmas.
A summary of the crisis so far, according to AAP.
Almost 200 fires burning across the country.
Seven people have been killed.
More than 900 homes lost in this year’s bushfire season: NSW – 789; Queensland – 40; South Australia – 72; Western Australia – 1.
Thousands of outbuildings destroyed or damaged, stock and crops destroyed.
2,000 koalas feared killed
Hi Amy Corderoy taking over the blog from Calla Wahlquist this morning.
The prime minister Scott Morrison has characterised the push for him to do more on climate change in response to the fires crisis as a “politically motivated” panic that he will not be intimidated by.
Here is is full response to journalist Monique Wright’s question about whether community feeling has changed in regard to climate change given what has happened over the past week.
The full interview has been posted by Sunrise on Twitter:
Speaking of emissions, Guardian Australia’s environment editor Adam Morton reports that Australia’s actual emissions are “significantly higher than previously believed for the years when Labor was in power, and no longer rise each year since the Coalition repealed the carbon price”.
SA premier Steven Marshall said rapid damage assessment teams began working on Kangaroo Island on Sunday and are moving through fire-affected areas, which means that the number of homes and buildings confirmed destroyed or damaged is likely to increase.
As of 8pm last night, Marshall told ABC 24, the number of homes destroyed were at 86, with 500 outbuildings and “hundreds of vehicles” also destroyed.
He said there was also “extensive losses in terms of livestock animals, pets and massive crop damage, massive damage to vineyards. In total over 40,000 hectares completely destroyed here in SA in just three days. It is an extraordinary situation”.
Marshall was also asked about the climate emergency. He skirted a question about whether Scott Morrison’s response had been adequate, but said that he was personally convinced of the link between a changing climate and worsening bushfires. Says Marshall:
SA has a strategy of net zero emissions by 2050. Victoria also has a strategy of net zero by 2050, and the ACT is aiming for net zero by 2045.
We start the day’s live coverage of the bushfire crisis with the news that the number of houses destroyed in the Cudlee Creek bushfire has been revised up to 86.
South Australian premier Steven Marshall said on Monday that the full extent of the damage to the Adelaide Hills was still being assessed, but that a significant proportion of the 25,000ha burned included vineyards and apple and pear orchards.
The man who died trying to defend his Charleston home in that fire has been identified as 69-year-old Ron Selth. Selth has been remembered by his family for his “incredible, sometimes injury-causing hugs”.
Meanwhile, prime minister Scott Morrison says he will not be swayed by “posturing” on the climate emergency that is “taking advantage of natural disasters”.
Morrison said on Sunrise this morning:
Morrison said the challenge of climate change had not changed since May, which is true. Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor had some thoughts on the adequacy, or inadequacy, of the government’s response on climate change. You can read that here.
Energy minister Angus Taylor repeated what appears to be the official government line that there is nothing unusual about the current bushfire crisis, saying in a Facebook post that there have “always been” bushfires.
Here’s part of that post:
And finally, Greta Thunberg had this to say about Australia’s bushfire crisis and lack of response to global heating.