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NSW and SA fires live: five million hectares burned in Australia's bushfires – latest updates NSW and SA fires live: five million hectares burned in Australia's bushfires – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Volunteer firefighters call for financial support, saying the situation on the ground is ‘out of control’ as the nation’s bushfires crisis continues. Follow the latest news and updatesVolunteer firefighters call for financial support, saying the situation on the ground is ‘out of control’ as the nation’s bushfires crisis continues. Follow the latest news and updates
He now suggests that concerns over longer fire seasons, fatigued fire fighters, and calls for systemic change, are coming from Twitter and government policy will is not going to be set by social media.
“There are always lots of experts when any of these things happen, but I can tell you as the prime minister and as the premier was telling you, the experts are the ones who have command responsibilities,” Morrison says.
“You just don’t run out of a press conference and make something up because you think that it is going to give you a headline. What you do is you do the careful work to actually deliver the response and deliver the support that is absolutely necessary.”
Just to be clear, when Morrison says he is listening to the experts, it’s not these ones:
Morrison is asked about volunteer firefighters who have taken out loans to stay financially afloat.
He says it’s a matter for the state governments, that he doesn’t want to do kneejerk responses, and it hasn’t been raised with him.
“If there are any urgent issues in relation to [that issue], then that, I am confident, if it were considered to be a priority of those agencies in relation to the firefighting effort, it would be elevated. And it would be recommended. That is not what is taking place.
So I’m going to continue to follow the lead of the priorities that are being set by those who are tasked and have the responsibility of fighting the fires. That’s who I’m listening to.”
“And as much as I empathise with those who are going through economic hardship as they fight these fires, at the same time, I’m going to listen to the experts that we’ve entrusted with responsibility of fighting and commanding those forces.”
He’s asked about reports of looting and scammers: “I think they’re scum. It makes me sick,” says Morrison.
“And you know, in these fires, we have seen the best of Australia. The overwhelming story of these fires is the best of Australians in their response. But in some cases, we’ve seen some ugly stuff, and they should be ashamed of themselves.”
Morrison says the cost of the public service leave will be absorbed by the agencies, and there will be no additional net cost.
Morrison: “The other thing which we’ve done in the last 24 hours after consulting commissioners and state premiers, where I’ve had that direct interaction, is to ensure that our ADF is taking a more forward-leaning and proactive approach with response centres like we have here, like in Mount Barker and anywhere else in the country.”
“They have been there already, from up in Caloundra where I was, all the way through since September.
“Just this week, we saw amazing support provided by the ADF rescuing people there down there in the south coast of New South Wales in Nerriga.
“In the chopper that I was in yesterday as I flew across the scorched earth of the BlueMountains, they were showing me where they were airlifting and dropping people into those places to fight those fires over the last week or so. So the ADF is very much involved and they’re leaning in.”
Scott Morrison has announced that public servants taking leave to fight fires will have additional paid leave. He is setting a “minimum standard of four weeks”, beginning from today.
He says he’s directed all commonwealth public service leaders to permanently offer at least 20 working days of paid leave, with more as needed, for people volunteering to fight fires.
Some public sector workers who are fighting the fires already have paid leave, but this will bring it all into line with defence force reservists.
“We’re helping get more boots on the ground and giving people who’ve been out there for weeks some relief,” Morrison said in a press release.
“With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I’ve heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes.”
Which is what people have been saying for weeks now.
He’s talking about this announcement at the press conference in South Australia.
“This will enable them to be able to commit more time in their brigades, and relieve, particularly those in small and regional towns, that draw the volunteers from their own self-employed arrangements or small businesses for whom the continued support to have their volunteers out fighting fires and not working in their businesses is becoming very strained. And I would be calling on, as we’ve been in contact today with some of the large companies, for them to also work with us on this.”
Morrison is giving thanks to the 1,500 South Australian firefighters who have come to NSW to help with the bushfire crisis there.Morrison is giving thanks to the 1,500 South Australian firefighters who have come to NSW to help with the bushfire crisis there.
“Particularly even now, when you’re facing your own challenges here.”“Particularly even now, when you’re facing your own challenges here.”
He says the NSW fires have been “obviously terrible, but it’s not the only place that has had fires”.He says the NSW fires have been “obviously terrible, but it’s not the only place that has had fires”.
“There are fires here in South Australia. There are fires in Victoria. There are fires in Queensland. And I want to also commend the premiers of all of those states, as well as in New South Wales, for the tremendous job that they’re doing in leading the operational response.”“There are fires here in South Australia. There are fires in Victoria. There are fires in Queensland. And I want to also commend the premiers of all of those states, as well as in New South Wales, for the tremendous job that they’re doing in leading the operational response.”
“Out in the Lobethal village tonight, there will be the usual Christmas lights spectacular despite all of this, as a sign of both defiance to the disaster that they’ve lived through, but also, I think, as a way of bringing the community together in a very special way. It is Christmas Eve after all, and kids - Santa will find you, whether there’s been a bushfire or not.”“Out in the Lobethal village tonight, there will be the usual Christmas lights spectacular despite all of this, as a sign of both defiance to the disaster that they’ve lived through, but also, I think, as a way of bringing the community together in a very special way. It is Christmas Eve after all, and kids - Santa will find you, whether there’s been a bushfire or not.”
South Australian premier, Steve Marshall, and Morrison are holding a press conference now.South Australian premier, Steve Marshall, and Morrison are holding a press conference now.
Marshall says there has been “overwhelming generosity” from the community to the Cudlee Creek bushfire appeal.Marshall says there has been “overwhelming generosity” from the community to the Cudlee Creek bushfire appeal.
They’ve been visiting communities affected and “at every single opportunity [Morrison] has been able to ask questions about exactly what is going on here”, says Marshall.They’ve been visiting communities affected and “at every single opportunity [Morrison] has been able to ask questions about exactly what is going on here”, says Marshall.
He says the support from the federal government has come “in record time”.He says the support from the federal government has come “in record time”.
“This is a team effort, a community effort to support people in these tough times.”“This is a team effort, a community effort to support people in these tough times.”
Disappointing news from the ABC, which reports there are some alleged instances of scammers and looters taking advantage of the bushfire crisis.Disappointing news from the ABC, which reports there are some alleged instances of scammers and looters taking advantage of the bushfire crisis.
It’s going to be a long conversation once the fire season is over, but there is already a lot of talk about resourcing. For what it’s worth, in reporting from different firegrounds, I’ve found opinions differ from place to place, and brigade to brigade. But there’s no question that donations and fundraising form a large part of the supply.It’s going to be a long conversation once the fire season is over, but there is already a lot of talk about resourcing. For what it’s worth, in reporting from different firegrounds, I’ve found opinions differ from place to place, and brigade to brigade. But there’s no question that donations and fundraising form a large part of the supply.
The RFS supplies the necessary equipment. But this social media post from a Northern Beaches brigade sent to Bilpin on Saturday, shows what crews can do with the extra – in this case an iPad and topographical maps funded through donations.The RFS supplies the necessary equipment. But this social media post from a Northern Beaches brigade sent to Bilpin on Saturday, shows what crews can do with the extra – in this case an iPad and topographical maps funded through donations.
The Law Society and the Legal Services Commission of South Australia is reminding people in the state that there is free legal advice available for those affected by the bushfire disaster.The Law Society and the Legal Services Commission of South Australia is reminding people in the state that there is free legal advice available for those affected by the bushfire disaster.
The Law Society maintains a register of lawyers who have volunteered to be on hand to provide free legal assistance to victims of disasters. For more information please contact disaster.planning@lawsocietysa.asn.au.The Law Society maintains a register of lawyers who have volunteered to be on hand to provide free legal assistance to victims of disasters. For more information please contact disaster.planning@lawsocietysa.asn.au.
For urgent legal advice and information please contact the Legal Services Commission which operates a free telephone advisory service on weekdays between 9am – 4.30pm (excluding Public Holidays) on 1300 366 424.For urgent legal advice and information please contact the Legal Services Commission which operates a free telephone advisory service on weekdays between 9am – 4.30pm (excluding Public Holidays) on 1300 366 424.
Morrison appeared on South Australia’s 5AA radio this morning where he was asked by host Tony Pilkington about firefighting resources and compensation.Morrison appeared on South Australia’s 5AA radio this morning where he was asked by host Tony Pilkington about firefighting resources and compensation.
The short version is Morrison was asked whether the government should be funding the stuff that people are telling them needs to be funded, and the answer was that if people tell the government something needs to be funded, they will look at funding it.The short version is Morrison was asked whether the government should be funding the stuff that people are telling them needs to be funded, and the answer was that if people tell the government something needs to be funded, they will look at funding it.
Which seems to be answering a question about an actual occurrence as though it was a question about a hypothetical, but maybe I’m getting a bit cynical in my search for some concrete plans laid out in a well-structured sentence.Which seems to be answering a question about an actual occurrence as though it was a question about a hypothetical, but maybe I’m getting a bit cynical in my search for some concrete plans laid out in a well-structured sentence.
Anyway, they’ll talk about it at the Coag meeting in March apparently.Anyway, they’ll talk about it at the Coag meeting in March apparently.
Here’s the long version, courtesy of the prime minister’s office:Here’s the long version, courtesy of the prime minister’s office:
Western Australia has offered a slight revision to the total number of hectares burned in WA since the start of November.Western Australia has offered a slight revision to the total number of hectares burned in WA since the start of November.
Yesterday the rough figure, not including all fires managed by the local government bush fire brigades, was 374,000ha.Yesterday the rough figure, not including all fires managed by the local government bush fire brigades, was 374,000ha.
Today those local government figures have been counted, and the total is 1.2m.That brings the total area burned in bushfires across Australia since spring to about five million hectares.Today those local government figures have been counted, and the total is 1.2m.That brings the total area burned in bushfires across Australia since spring to about five million hectares.
That’s about the same size as Costa Rica.That’s about the same size as Costa Rica.
The reason for the different figures is this: in Western Australia, management of bushfires is split between Parks, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and the local government run volunteer bushfire brigades.The reason for the different figures is this: in Western Australia, management of bushfires is split between Parks, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and the local government run volunteer bushfire brigades.
The latter do not always immediately report in the size of their fires to DFES, and in the Kimberley, fires can get quite big. Someone at DFES did the math for us overnight.The latter do not always immediately report in the size of their fires to DFES, and in the Kimberley, fires can get quite big. Someone at DFES did the math for us overnight.
The Kerry Ridge fire, on the north-west edge of the Mount Gospers and joined to the Oaky Creek and Paddock Run fires, has been upgraded to watch and act with activity increasing in Nullo Mountain.The Kerry Ridge fire, on the north-west edge of the Mount Gospers and joined to the Oaky Creek and Paddock Run fires, has been upgraded to watch and act with activity increasing in Nullo Mountain.
“The fire continues to burn on multiple fronts in the Wollemi national park, Putty state forest, Coricudgy state forest and Nullo Mountain state forest,” says the RFS.“The fire continues to burn on multiple fronts in the Wollemi national park, Putty state forest, Coricudgy state forest and Nullo Mountain state forest,” says the RFS.
“Firefighters supported by heavy plant and water-bombing aircraft continue working to establish containment lines.”“Firefighters supported by heavy plant and water-bombing aircraft continue working to establish containment lines.”
People in Nullo Mountain, Olinda and Bogee to the west, Howes Valley, Appletree Flat, and Doyles Creek to the east, and Widden, Baerami, Baerami Creek, and Martindale to the north, are warned to monitor conditions and know what they’ll do if the fire threatens.People in Nullo Mountain, Olinda and Bogee to the west, Howes Valley, Appletree Flat, and Doyles Creek to the east, and Widden, Baerami, Baerami Creek, and Martindale to the north, are warned to monitor conditions and know what they’ll do if the fire threatens.
There is “overwhelming support” from the community, says Balmoral RFS volunteer Andrew Johnston, in this emotional interview with Nine News.There is “overwhelming support” from the community, says Balmoral RFS volunteer Andrew Johnston, in this emotional interview with Nine News.
“We just tried so hard to save people’s homes. You can see in the shed we’ve got everything in the shed for everyone ... for people who lost their homes. It’s just awesome, the community spirit, the Aussie spirit all around.”“We just tried so hard to save people’s homes. You can see in the shed we’ve got everything in the shed for everyone ... for people who lost their homes. It’s just awesome, the community spirit, the Aussie spirit all around.”
If you are wondering how you can help, here is a short guide. A lot of individual RFS brigades also have more specific information on their Facebook pages.If you are wondering how you can help, here is a short guide. A lot of individual RFS brigades also have more specific information on their Facebook pages.
Hello, this is Helen Davidson taking over the blog from Calla Wahlquist.Hello, this is Helen Davidson taking over the blog from Calla Wahlquist.
Prime minister Scott Morrison will be addressing media from South Australia soon.Prime minister Scott Morrison will be addressing media from South Australia soon.
In the meantime, here is a round up of what fire authorities expect to happen next, state by state.In the meantime, here is a round up of what fire authorities expect to happen next, state by state.
More than four million hectares of Australia have burned and nine people have died since September in the “unprecedented” start to the summer fire season.More than four million hectares of Australia have burned and nine people have died since September in the “unprecedented” start to the summer fire season.
Emergency Victoria has issued an updated watch-and-act alert for the Marthavale-Barmouth Spur fire at Tambo Crossing.Emergency Victoria has issued an updated watch-and-act alert for the Marthavale-Barmouth Spur fire at Tambo Crossing.
The Great Alpine Road – the only way in and out without going around the mountain – remains closed between Ensay and Bruthen and there is heavy smoke throughout Tambo Valley. The fire is being monitored through aerial patrols and ground crews are in the area, though as reported earlier they are not attacking the fire directly because it is too dangerous to send crews into that terrain.The Great Alpine Road – the only way in and out without going around the mountain – remains closed between Ensay and Bruthen and there is heavy smoke throughout Tambo Valley. The fire is being monitored through aerial patrols and ground crews are in the area, though as reported earlier they are not attacking the fire directly because it is too dangerous to send crews into that terrain.
Residents are warned that their water supply “may become contaminated with debris, ash, soot, fire retardant or dead animals”, which is unpleasant.Residents are warned that their water supply “may become contaminated with debris, ash, soot, fire retardant or dead animals”, which is unpleasant.