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Australia fires live: two dead in Cobargo as NSW and Victoria face bushfires threat – latest updates Australia fires live: two dead in Cobargo as NSW and Victoria face bushfires threat – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Conditions worsen with more than 4,000 on the beach at Mallacoota in Victoria after a devastating day yesterday and the death of a firefighter in New South Wales. Follow live news and latest updatesConditions worsen with more than 4,000 on the beach at Mallacoota in Victoria after a devastating day yesterday and the death of a firefighter in New South Wales. Follow live news and latest updates
Louis Boyle-Bryant is at the community centre in Mallacoota, which went through a pretty devastating and traumatic experience overnight and today.
Thousands of people evacuated to the waterfront, onto boats in the lake, and to the community centre as the large, out-of-control fire bore down on the town.
While the fire has passed, the community is still isolated.
A short time ago the people sheltered there received a briefing from emergency services, who said that the immediate threat was over. Boyle-Bryant said the authorities told them there was still a residual risk from burning trees and houses, and recommended against people going to check on their homes.
“But some folks have gone to check anyway, if they can get past fire lines,” he said.
“Most of the campground only sustained minor damage so a lot of people from the wharf have gone back to their tents/caravans.
“I’ll stay in the community centre again tonight. Bit shaken and don’t want to set up tents again.”
Marine wind warnings for the rest of today:Marine wind warnings for the rest of today:
Gale Warning for the following areas:Sydney Closed Waters, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast Gale warning for the following areas:Sydney closed waters, Hunter coast, Sydney coast and Illawarra coast
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast Strong wind warning for the following areas:Byron coast, Coffs coast, Macquarie coast, Batemans coast and Eden coast
Wind Warnings for tomorrow: Wind warnings for tomorrow:
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast and Sydney Coast Strong wind warning for the following areas:Coffs coast, Macquarie coast, Hunter coast and Sydney coast
In the last hour or so the strong southerly change has crossed the Currowan fireground on the NSW south coast.In the last hour or so the strong southerly change has crossed the Currowan fireground on the NSW south coast.
This emergency-level fire is burning between Nowra in the north, Braidwood in the west, and Batemans Bay in the south.This emergency-level fire is burning between Nowra in the north, Braidwood in the west, and Batemans Bay in the south.
There has been a significant increase in fire activity south of the Kings Highway to the west of Nelligen, the RFS says.There has been a significant increase in fire activity south of the Kings Highway to the west of Nelligen, the RFS says.
The fire merged with the Tianjara fire in the Morton national park to the south-west of Nowra, and the Charleys Forest fire has grown along its western flank.The fire merged with the Tianjara fire in the Morton national park to the south-west of Nowra, and the Charleys Forest fire has grown along its western flank.
Devastating scenes inside the fireground at Mogo where several buildings have burned down, including houses and the Aboriginal Land Council.Devastating scenes inside the fireground at Mogo where several buildings have burned down, including houses and the Aboriginal Land Council.
All telecommunications - mobile and landline phones and internet - will be lost between Nowra and Moruya tonight, NSW police have just warned. This will also affect hospitals in the area.All telecommunications - mobile and landline phones and internet - will be lost between Nowra and Moruya tonight, NSW police have just warned. This will also affect hospitals in the area.
The federal government has agreed to supply military vessels to Victoria for evacuations in coastal communities where people are trapped.The federal government has agreed to supply military vessels to Victoria for evacuations in coastal communities where people are trapped.
The ADF will send Black Hawks, Chinooks, fixed wing aircraft and navy vessels for firefighting support and evacuation.The ADF will send Black Hawks, Chinooks, fixed wing aircraft and navy vessels for firefighting support and evacuation.
“We’ve got fires burning from the Queensland border all the way down to the Victorian border, across the great dividing range,” says Fitzsimmons.“We’ve got fires burning from the Queensland border all the way down to the Victorian border, across the great dividing range,” says Fitzsimmons.
There have been multiple challenges, he says, noting that today conditions didn’t allow for the flying of some aerial support craft.There have been multiple challenges, he says, noting that today conditions didn’t allow for the flying of some aerial support craft.
“We are expecting a return to more hot dangerous and difficult conditions … and we can expect some fairly widespread severe fire danger ratings.”“We are expecting a return to more hot dangerous and difficult conditions … and we can expect some fairly widespread severe fire danger ratings.”
He notes the dry landscape, the “moisture depleted” landscape, in a state which is “100% drought-affected”. There’s been a significant number of pyroconvective activity and the tragic consequences of that.He notes the dry landscape, the “moisture depleted” landscape, in a state which is “100% drought-affected”. There’s been a significant number of pyroconvective activity and the tragic consequences of that.
“We have seen now confirmed eight civilian fatalities, three firefighter fatalities, and we have grave concerns for another civilian down in the southeast of NSW,” he says.“We have seen now confirmed eight civilian fatalities, three firefighter fatalities, and we have grave concerns for another civilian down in the southeast of NSW,” he says.
“We have seen over 900 homes destroyed and over 3.6m hectares of country burnt so far this season. We have still months to go of summer. Absolutely, this is up to be one of the worst, if not the worst fire season we have experienced here in NSW.”“We have seen over 900 homes destroyed and over 3.6m hectares of country burnt so far this season. We have still months to go of summer. Absolutely, this is up to be one of the worst, if not the worst fire season we have experienced here in NSW.”
RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is giving an update from its Sydney headquarters. Here are the main points:RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is giving an update from its Sydney headquarters. Here are the main points:
There are more than 100 fires burning in the state, more than half uncontained: 2,200 firefighters are in the field.There are more than 100 fires burning in the state, more than half uncontained: 2,200 firefighters are in the field.
The southerly change is currently at Nowra and is expected in the Sydney basin between 6pm and 7pm.The southerly change is currently at Nowra and is expected in the Sydney basin between 6pm and 7pm.
Ahead of that, the WNW winds are up to about 70 km/h, but the southerly is also bringing damaging gusts up to 80km, although it will lose strength as it moves up the coast.Ahead of that, the WNW winds are up to about 70 km/h, but the southerly is also bringing damaging gusts up to 80km, although it will lose strength as it moves up the coast.
That cold front is halving temperatures in some areas.That cold front is halving temperatures in some areas.
Batemans Bay and other areas – particularly adjacent to the coast – are seeing some moderation once the change goes through, but the southern ranges are not benefiting from it.Batemans Bay and other areas – particularly adjacent to the coast – are seeing some moderation once the change goes through, but the southern ranges are not benefiting from it.
Along the coastal strip from Nowra towards Bega, “there’s communities all the way along there that are exposed and vulnerable” as well as inland, across the Snowy Mountains plains there are a number of problematic fires, and into the west and south at the cross-border Green Valley fire.Along the coastal strip from Nowra towards Bega, “there’s communities all the way along there that are exposed and vulnerable” as well as inland, across the Snowy Mountains plains there are a number of problematic fires, and into the west and south at the cross-border Green Valley fire.
The Green Valley fire is expected to move into the Kosciuszko national park.The Green Valley fire is expected to move into the Kosciuszko national park.
The Charmhaven fire is burning east-northeasterly, and is spreading towards more populated areas in the Woongarrah area. Fire crews are hoping to get it under control overnight.The Charmhaven fire is burning east-northeasterly, and is spreading towards more populated areas in the Woongarrah area. Fire crews are hoping to get it under control overnight.
There are significant power challenges and disruptions to utilities in fire affected areas.There are significant power challenges and disruptions to utilities in fire affected areas.
There are dangerous trees and fires burning on both sides of multiple arterial roads.There are dangerous trees and fires burning on both sides of multiple arterial roads.
The RFS received about 68 applications for fire ban exemptions (including the Sydney NYE fireworks). They said yes to about 30.The RFS received about 68 applications for fire ban exemptions (including the Sydney NYE fireworks). They said yes to about 30.
The Charmhaven fire on the NSW Central Coast is a new one today. It’s an emergency level blaze and has destroyed at least 83 hectares already.The Charmhaven fire on the NSW Central Coast is a new one today. It’s an emergency level blaze and has destroyed at least 83 hectares already.
Crews are on the scene working to protect property and people in Mona, Arizona and Allinga Hiawatha Road, were earlier told to take shelter because it is too late to leave.Crews are on the scene working to protect property and people in Mona, Arizona and Allinga Hiawatha Road, were earlier told to take shelter because it is too late to leave.
The Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms could make the NSW bushfire situation even worse, adding to soaring temperatures and gusty winds, AAP reports.The Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms could make the NSW bushfire situation even worse, adding to soaring temperatures and gusty winds, AAP reports.
Thunderstorms forecast to develop in NSW could make an already dangerous bushfire situation even worse, the bureau says.Thunderstorms forecast to develop in NSW could make an already dangerous bushfire situation even worse, the bureau says.
Bureau of Meteorology NSW state manager Jane Golding says the state is experiencing heatwave conditions on Tuesday with soaring temperatures, gusty winds and smoke pollution in many areas.Bureau of Meteorology NSW state manager Jane Golding says the state is experiencing heatwave conditions on Tuesday with soaring temperatures, gusty winds and smoke pollution in many areas.
Thunderstorms could exacerbate the situation later on if lightning strikes spark new fires, Golding told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.Thunderstorms could exacerbate the situation later on if lightning strikes spark new fires, Golding told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
“Over the course of today we are expecting general thunderstorms to develop – they are going to cause a few problems around the fire grounds,” she said.“Over the course of today we are expecting general thunderstorms to develop – they are going to cause a few problems around the fire grounds,” she said.
Lightning strikes sparked more than a dozen blazes in Victoria’s alpine region on Tuesday while thunderstorms have started spot fires in Tasmania.Lightning strikes sparked more than a dozen blazes in Victoria’s alpine region on Tuesday while thunderstorms have started spot fires in Tasmania.
A southerly change sweeping up the NSW coast would drop temperatures in the evening, with bushfire conditions forecast to ease on Wednesday, according to the bureau.A southerly change sweeping up the NSW coast would drop temperatures in the evening, with bushfire conditions forecast to ease on Wednesday, according to the bureau.
“In much of the state we are expecting markedly cooler conditions tomorrow,” Golding said.“In much of the state we are expecting markedly cooler conditions tomorrow,” Golding said.
“But up in the northwest we are still expecting really warm temperatures and increased fire dangers.”“But up in the northwest we are still expecting really warm temperatures and increased fire dangers.”
In the Aboriginal community of Lake Tyers, about 35 people chose to stay on country when they came under threat from the East Gippsland fires, NITV reports.In the Aboriginal community of Lake Tyers, about 35 people chose to stay on country when they came under threat from the East Gippsland fires, NITV reports.
“We’re a small community of 250 Aboriginal people, 46 houses out there. There’s roughly 35 community [members] who have stayed,” traditional owner Kerry Tregonning said.“We’re a small community of 250 Aboriginal people, 46 houses out there. There’s roughly 35 community [members] who have stayed,” traditional owner Kerry Tregonning said.
“Most of them were born out here, they have no transport, some of them are hooked up to oxygen, there’s a lot of little things.”“Most of them were born out here, they have no transport, some of them are hooked up to oxygen, there’s a lot of little things.”