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Australia fires live news: Victoria and NSW bushfires destroy more than 50 properties – latest updates Australia fires live news: Victoria and NSW bushfires destroy more than 50 properties – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Four unaccounted for in Victoria after East Gippsland fires claim homes in Buchan, Sarsfield and MallacootaFour unaccounted for in Victoria after East Gippsland fires claim homes in Buchan, Sarsfield and Mallacoota
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, has issued a statement describing the bushfire crisis as a “moment of truth” for Scott Morrison.
I’m going to reproduce parts of it below for you, but the key point is that the Greens want a royal commission into the bushfire crisis.
Di Natale said: “Our hearts go out to those who have lost their lives and property in this latest tragedy and for the huge ecological damage and loss of native and domestic animals.”
He said Scott Morrison should “immediately convene an emergency summit, as proposed by former fire chief Mullins, to ensure that everything is being done to address the immediate crisis”.
But he also said: “We must also accept that Australia’s climate has changed and we need to make sure that our land management, disaster response and climate policies are relevant to the new reality we face.”
A new figure for you: the fires in East Gippsland have burned through 500,000ha.
The Victorian emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp, told ABC News earlier today:
There was some debate about the fireworks being in Sydney last night. I wonder if there might be some controversy about this, too.There was some debate about the fireworks being in Sydney last night. I wonder if there might be some controversy about this, too.
In New Zealand, meanwhile, people have been sharing photos showing how the smoke and haze from the Australian fires has reached Aotearoa.In New Zealand, meanwhile, people have been sharing photos showing how the smoke and haze from the Australian fires has reached Aotearoa.
However, the town of Mallacoota will remain cut off. You’ll remember about 4,000 people were taking shelter on the beach yesterday as fires tore through the area.However, the town of Mallacoota will remain cut off. You’ll remember about 4,000 people were taking shelter on the beach yesterday as fires tore through the area.
Police say they will be taking a boat with four paramedics and water into the town. Later, there will be a larger barge that will bring food, fuel and other supplies to the residents who remain hunkered down there.Police say they will be taking a boat with four paramedics and water into the town. Later, there will be a larger barge that will bring food, fuel and other supplies to the residents who remain hunkered down there.
The Australian Defence Force will also arrive later with Black Hawk helicopters to drop off supplies.The Australian Defence Force will also arrive later with Black Hawk helicopters to drop off supplies.
Some good news from Victoria. The Princes Highway is going to be reopened for a few hours (10am-12pm) between Orbost and Bairnsdale.Some good news from Victoria. The Princes Highway is going to be reopened for a few hours (10am-12pm) between Orbost and Bairnsdale.
On the ABC, Victorian man Myles Nicholls is speaking from the ruins of his house at Sarsfield, which was razed in the East Gippsland fires.On the ABC, Victorian man Myles Nicholls is speaking from the ruins of his house at Sarsfield, which was razed in the East Gippsland fires.
“The house doesn’t come above my ankles,” he says. “It is totally destroyed.”“The house doesn’t come above my ankles,” he says. “It is totally destroyed.”
Nicholls runs a short-stay accommodation business and native flower farm from his 55-acre (22-hectare) property.Nicholls runs a short-stay accommodation business and native flower farm from his 55-acre (22-hectare) property.
“But everything is gone. It’s literally just gone. It will take us some time to re-establish it.”“But everything is gone. It’s literally just gone. It will take us some time to re-establish it.”
He says it will take three to five years to re-establish the native flowers.He says it will take three to five years to re-establish the native flowers.
Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers has been on the road as the fires have ravaged New South Wales. Last night he snapped this beautiful shot south of Nowra as the Currowan fire approached.Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers has been on the road as the fires have ravaged New South Wales. Last night he snapped this beautiful shot south of Nowra as the Currowan fire approached.
That fire, which is 229,000ha, is currently at a watch and act.That fire, which is 229,000ha, is currently at a watch and act.
Air quality in Canberra is reportedly now the worst in the world.Air quality in Canberra is reportedly now the worst in the world.
And there is some more dramatic footage here.And there is some more dramatic footage here.
If you scroll through this Instagram post you will see some incredible footage shot by Goongerah resident India MacDonell using a GoPro.If you scroll through this Instagram post you will see some incredible footage shot by Goongerah resident India MacDonell using a GoPro.
She fought to save her family home with her father as a terrifying inferno closed in on them.She fought to save her family home with her father as a terrifying inferno closed in on them.
The MacDonells are safe, but their property is currently isolated.The MacDonells are safe, but their property is currently isolated.
The two men killed in fires at Cobargo yesterday have been named as Patrick Salway and his dad, Robert Salway.The two men killed in fires at Cobargo yesterday have been named as Patrick Salway and his dad, Robert Salway.
“We are broken,” Renee Salway told friends via Facebook on Tuesday night after her husband’s death was confirmed.“We are broken,” Renee Salway told friends via Facebook on Tuesday night after her husband’s death was confirmed.
“I will see you again Patrick, my best friend.”“I will see you again Patrick, my best friend.”
Police have also also been unable to reach the property of a 72-year-old man who is missing 50km north of Cobargo.Police have also also been unable to reach the property of a 72-year-old man who is missing 50km north of Cobargo.
If you’re affected by the bushfires, we’d like to hear from you. You can share your stories, pictures and videos directly with our journalists via our form here. Your responses will only be seen by the Guardian.If you’re affected by the bushfires, we’d like to hear from you. You can share your stories, pictures and videos directly with our journalists via our form here. Your responses will only be seen by the Guardian.
Though we’d like to hear from you, your security is most important. We recognise it may not always be safe or appropriate to record or share your experiences – so please think about this when deciding whether to record and again when deciding whether to send your content to the Guardian.Though we’d like to hear from you, your security is most important. We recognise it may not always be safe or appropriate to record or share your experiences – so please think about this when deciding whether to record and again when deciding whether to send your content to the Guardian.
Shane Fitzsimmons confirms that Conjola Park has been “heavily impacted” by the fires. The ABC reported that about 50 properties have been destroyed. Fitzsimmons does not put a figure on it, but says “initial reports are that it’s had heavy impact and there are significant damage and destruction to property”.Shane Fitzsimmons confirms that Conjola Park has been “heavily impacted” by the fires. The ABC reported that about 50 properties have been destroyed. Fitzsimmons does not put a figure on it, but says “initial reports are that it’s had heavy impact and there are significant damage and destruction to property”.