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| Tens of thousands flee in mass bushfire evacuation – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| This blog is now closed. Our coverage will resume tomorrow morning | |
| We will leave our live coverage of the Australian bushfires there for today. Here is how things currently stand: | We will leave our live coverage of the Australian bushfires there for today. Here is how things currently stand: |
| Thousands of people have evacuated from north-east Victoria, East Gippsland, and the south coast of NSW. Police have powers to compel people to leave in Victoria under the state of disaster declaration, but they have said they will not force people to leave. It is the largest peacetime evacuation in Australian history. | Thousands of people have evacuated from north-east Victoria, East Gippsland, and the south coast of NSW. Police have powers to compel people to leave in Victoria under the state of disaster declaration, but they have said they will not force people to leave. It is the largest peacetime evacuation in Australian history. |
| Residents and tourists who remain in East Gippsland, north-east Victoria, the south coast of NSW and the Shoalhaven region have been warned they could face extreme, unpredictable and potentially fatal bushfires. They have been told to get out tonight. | Residents and tourists who remain in East Gippsland, north-east Victoria, the south coast of NSW and the Shoalhaven region have been warned they could face extreme, unpredictable and potentially fatal bushfires. They have been told to get out tonight. |
| Fire authorities in both NSW and Victoria say they will have no ability to control fires burning tomorrow. | Fire authorities in both NSW and Victoria say they will have no ability to control fires burning tomorrow. |
| The death toll from the fires since 30 December has risen to 10, with two people confirmed dead in Victoria and eight dead in NSW. Twenty-eight people remain unaccounted for in East Gippsland. | The death toll from the fires since 30 December has risen to 10, with two people confirmed dead in Victoria and eight dead in NSW. Twenty-eight people remain unaccounted for in East Gippsland. |
| Two bushfires burning out of control in Kangaroo Island in South Australia are expected to cause significant property damage, including to the infrastructure in the Forest Chase national park. | Two bushfires burning out of control in Kangaroo Island in South Australia are expected to cause significant property damage, including to the infrastructure in the Forest Chase national park. |
| The main road into Western Australia from the eastern states, the Eyre highway, remains cut off due to bushfire and is not expected to open until at least Monday, prompting concerns that WA could run out of some supplies. | The main road into Western Australia from the eastern states, the Eyre highway, remains cut off due to bushfire and is not expected to open until at least Monday, prompting concerns that WA could run out of some supplies. |
| Prime minister Scott Morrison has brushed off criticism of his leadership following damning footage of a visit to bushfire victims in Cobargo, NSW on Thursday, saying it he does not take it personally and it was “not about [him]”. | Prime minister Scott Morrison has brushed off criticism of his leadership following damning footage of a visit to bushfire victims in Cobargo, NSW on Thursday, saying it he does not take it personally and it was “not about [him]”. |
| Morrison said he was “inclined not to proceed” with a planned visit to India later this month, hours after confirming that he would still go. | Morrison said he was “inclined not to proceed” with a planned visit to India later this month, hours after confirming that he would still go. |
| Our live coverage will resume tomorrow morning. | Our live coverage will resume tomorrow morning. |
| In the meantime: please stay safe and ensure you are following the emergency alerts for your region. Tomorrow promises to be a very difficult day, and we want to see you all at the other side of it. | In the meantime: please stay safe and ensure you are following the emergency alerts for your region. Tomorrow promises to be a very difficult day, and we want to see you all at the other side of it. |
| This is the full quote that Scott Morrison says is being taken out of context, helpfully put in context by Amy Remeikis. | This is the full quote that Scott Morrison says is being taken out of context, helpfully put in context by Amy Remeikis. |
| Scott Morrison says he tried in ‘good faith’ to comfort bushfire victims | Scott Morrison says he tried in ‘good faith’ to comfort bushfire victims |
| Asked if he thought, in retrospect, that it was odd that he picked up people’s hands to shake them, Scott Morrison said he tried in “good faith” to offer comfort. | Asked if he thought, in retrospect, that it was odd that he picked up people’s hands to shake them, Scott Morrison said he tried in “good faith” to offer comfort. |
| He said that some people were more standoffish than others and “I understand that, it’s a. very emotional time. | He said that some people were more standoffish than others and “I understand that, it’s a. very emotional time. |
| He said his comment that Australians during these “terrible events” would be “inspired by the great feats of our cricketers” had been “taken a bit out of context.” | He said his comment that Australians during these “terrible events” would be “inspired by the great feats of our cricketers” had been “taken a bit out of context.” |
| Asked if he wished he had responded differently to the bushfires, Morrison said it is “not about me,” it was about people on the ground. | Asked if he wished he had responded differently to the bushfires, Morrison said it is “not about me,” it was about people on the ground. |
| He said comments from former fire chiefs that they had not been listened to were “not true.” Those fire chiefs said the Coalition ignored their advice because it concerned the climate emergency. | He said comments from former fire chiefs that they had not been listened to were “not true.” Those fire chiefs said the Coalition ignored their advice because it concerned the climate emergency. |
| Morrison said he was listening to the fire chiefs “that are in their jobs now.” | Morrison said he was listening to the fire chiefs “that are in their jobs now.” |
| Then came this abrupt exchange. | Then came this abrupt exchange. |
| McKinnon asked when those planes would arrive. Morrison didn’t really answer. | McKinnon asked when those planes would arrive. Morrison didn’t really answer. |
| And then the interview was over. | And then the interview was over. |
| Scott Morrison is giving an interview with A Current Affair right now and repeating the line that his response to the bushfire crisis is “not about me.” | Scott Morrison is giving an interview with A Current Affair right now and repeating the line that his response to the bushfire crisis is “not about me.” |
| The first question, from host Leila McKinnon, does not pull any punches. | The first question, from host Leila McKinnon, does not pull any punches. |
| McKinnon: | McKinnon: |
| Morrison says that people are “really hurting” in fire zones, and he has visited many fire zones and attempted to offer comfort. That offer of comfort has received “different receptions wherever you go”, he says. | Morrison says that people are “really hurting” in fire zones, and he has visited many fire zones and attempted to offer comfort. That offer of comfort has received “different receptions wherever you go”, he says. |
| He says the people of Cobargo were feeling “very raw” and he tries not to “take any of that personally”. | He says the people of Cobargo were feeling “very raw” and he tries not to “take any of that personally”. |
| McKinnon asks if Morrison regrets walking away from 20-year-old Zoey Salucci-McDermott, who said she would only shake his hand if he increased funding to the RFS. | McKinnon asks if Morrison regrets walking away from 20-year-old Zoey Salucci-McDermott, who said she would only shake his hand if he increased funding to the RFS. |
| Morrison repeated a claim he made earlier today, which we put to Salucci-McDermott and she disputed. | Morrison repeated a claim he made earlier today, which we put to Salucci-McDermott and she disputed. |
| Said Morrison: | Said Morrison: |
| Morrison said he told her he would pass her concerns on. | Morrison said he told her he would pass her concerns on. |
| There are community meetings up and down the east coast tonight, ahead of extreme bushfire conditions tomorrow. | There are community meetings up and down the east coast tonight, ahead of extreme bushfire conditions tomorrow. |
| While we wait for that interview, a reminder that this happened today. | While we wait for that interview, a reminder that this happened today. |
| Where the bloody hell was he? | Where the bloody hell was he? |
| Political reporter Amy Remeikis has written a day-by-day account of prime minister Scott Morrison’s activities in the past eight days, tracking his diary — which included engagements like the New Year’s Day Cricket Australia-McGrath Foundation reception at Kirribilli house — alongside bushfire developments. | Political reporter Amy Remeikis has written a day-by-day account of prime minister Scott Morrison’s activities in the past eight days, tracking his diary — which included engagements like the New Year’s Day Cricket Australia-McGrath Foundation reception at Kirribilli house — alongside bushfire developments. |
| Morrison is giving an interview to A Current Affair in a few moments. We’ll bring that to you as it happens. | Morrison is giving an interview to A Current Affair in a few moments. We’ll bring that to you as it happens. |
| Cobargo resident to PM: ‘Be a leader’ | Cobargo resident to PM: ‘Be a leader’ |
| A woman who lives in Cobargo has driven a 100km round trip to Bega today to upload a video to social media demanding that prime minister Scott Morrison show leadership and offer immediate assistance to Cobargo and other towns in the bushfire crisis. | A woman who lives in Cobargo has driven a 100km round trip to Bega today to upload a video to social media demanding that prime minister Scott Morrison show leadership and offer immediate assistance to Cobargo and other towns in the bushfire crisis. |
| Ronnie Ayliffe is the sister of Mark Ayliffe, the Cobargo RFS captain. She says Mark was concerned that the criticism of Morrison by locals in Cobargo during his whistle-stop tour yesterday meant that he had lost his opportunity to ask — and receive — federal assistance in fighting the fires. | Ronnie Ayliffe is the sister of Mark Ayliffe, the Cobargo RFS captain. She says Mark was concerned that the criticism of Morrison by locals in Cobargo during his whistle-stop tour yesterday meant that he had lost his opportunity to ask — and receive — federal assistance in fighting the fires. |
| “[My brother] is a shell of a human being, he is hanging on by a thread,” Ayliffe said. “He holds the burden of everything that is lost on his own shoulders, and yet he has done a job that generals couldn’t do. He has been extraordinary and I want you, the world, to know that. | “[My brother] is a shell of a human being, he is hanging on by a thread,” Ayliffe said. “He holds the burden of everything that is lost on his own shoulders, and yet he has done a job that generals couldn’t do. He has been extraordinary and I want you, the world, to know that. |
| She continues: | She continues: |
| But then this happened. And Ayliffe said her brother was concerned that his only opportunity to ask for help had passed. | But then this happened. And Ayliffe said her brother was concerned that his only opportunity to ask for help had passed. |
| Ayliffe lives at Sams Creek, which is just outside Cobargo. She said she has spent the past few days shoring up protections around her house, but did not believe she would be able to save it. | Ayliffe lives at Sams Creek, which is just outside Cobargo. She said she has spent the past few days shoring up protections around her house, but did not believe she would be able to save it. |
| There is a community meeting and bushfire briefing in Narooma on the NSW south coast tonight. ABC reporter Melissa Clarke is there, and shared this practical, yet chilling, advice. | There is a community meeting and bushfire briefing in Narooma on the NSW south coast tonight. ABC reporter Melissa Clarke is there, and shared this practical, yet chilling, advice. |
| There has been a lot of discussion over the past week about hazard reduction burns. Specifically, whether more hazard reduction burns could have prevented the current bushfire crisis, and whether hazard reduction burns have been prevented by “green tape.” | There has been a lot of discussion over the past week about hazard reduction burns. Specifically, whether more hazard reduction burns could have prevented the current bushfire crisis, and whether hazard reduction burns have been prevented by “green tape.” |
| I thought I would draw attention to this thread from environmental scientist Cormac Farrell, who works in bushfire prevention and is also the Australian Parliament’s head beekeeper. | I thought I would draw attention to this thread from environmental scientist Cormac Farrell, who works in bushfire prevention and is also the Australian Parliament’s head beekeeper. |
| He says, basically, that community safety trumps environmental concerns when it comes to hazard reduction burns. So if burns are happening less often it’s because it is not safe to do so, not because greenies are blocking them. | He says, basically, that community safety trumps environmental concerns when it comes to hazard reduction burns. So if burns are happening less often it’s because it is not safe to do so, not because greenies are blocking them. |
| I’ve also seen some discussion about fuel reduction burn targets being abandoned. I’ve spoken to fire authorities in Victoria and Tasmania about this before, and the consensus wisdom is that the targets do not work because the easiest way to meet a target is to lob blazeballs out of a helicopter and burn a big bit of bush in the middle of a state forest or national park. | I’ve also seen some discussion about fuel reduction burn targets being abandoned. I’ve spoken to fire authorities in Victoria and Tasmania about this before, and the consensus wisdom is that the targets do not work because the easiest way to meet a target is to lob blazeballs out of a helicopter and burn a big bit of bush in the middle of a state forest or national park. |
| That will hit the five or 10% fuel reduction target, but will not necessarily be the kind of targeted hazard protection that actually makes the community safer. | That will hit the five or 10% fuel reduction target, but will not necessarily be the kind of targeted hazard protection that actually makes the community safer. |
| Conditions appear to be worsening in East Gippsland. | Conditions appear to be worsening in East Gippsland. |
| The town of Bruthen, east of Bairnsdale, has just been ordered to evacuate. | The town of Bruthen, east of Bairnsdale, has just been ordered to evacuate. |
| And there’s a new emergency warning for the northern parts of East Gippsland, near Goongerah. | And there’s a new emergency warning for the northern parts of East Gippsland, near Goongerah. |
| This is what residents are being told on the south coast of NSW. Tourists have been strongly advised for two days to get out — they should already have left. | This is what residents are being told on the south coast of NSW. Tourists have been strongly advised for two days to get out — they should already have left. |
| Speaking of sport, the fire alarms at Melbourne’s AAMI Park seem to have been set off by the bushfire smoke that has settled over the city. Earlier, Victorian authorities said the air quality in the city was “very poor” to “hazardous”. | Speaking of sport, the fire alarms at Melbourne’s AAMI Park seem to have been set off by the bushfire smoke that has settled over the city. Earlier, Victorian authorities said the air quality in the city was “very poor” to “hazardous”. |
| The A-League match between Melbourne City and Western United is due to start at 7.30pm. | The A-League match between Melbourne City and Western United is due to start at 7.30pm. |
| Tennis Australia announces exhibition match | Tennis Australia announces exhibition match |
| Let’s do a round-up of sports-bodies and persons raising money for bushfire relief. | Let’s do a round-up of sports-bodies and persons raising money for bushfire relief. |
| Tennis Australia has announced it will host an exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena on 15 January to raise money for the Red Cross bushfire appeal. It’s also donating the profits from a Jessica Mauboy concert, scheduled for 19 January, and pledged $1m to help rebuild tennis facilities in bushfire affected communities. | Tennis Australia has announced it will host an exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena on 15 January to raise money for the Red Cross bushfire appeal. It’s also donating the profits from a Jessica Mauboy concert, scheduled for 19 January, and pledged $1m to help rebuild tennis facilities in bushfire affected communities. |
| The idea of a charity exhibition match was raised by Nick Krygios, who has encouraged a flood of donations and offers of support from other athletes. | The idea of a charity exhibition match was raised by Nick Krygios, who has encouraged a flood of donations and offers of support from other athletes. |
| The AFL has also said it will raise funds for bushfire relief. CEO Gillion McLauchlan said in a statement today that the organisation was working on a coordinated response to support fundraising efforts. | The AFL has also said it will raise funds for bushfire relief. CEO Gillion McLauchlan said in a statement today that the organisation was working on a coordinated response to support fundraising efforts. |
| Nathan Buckley has also said... this: | Nathan Buckley has also said... this: |
| This is the map of predicted fire spread in NSW that deputy commissioner Rob Rogers was speaking about earlier. The red zones are areas where the fire is expected to grow, the crosshatched areas are areas of potential ember attack. | This is the map of predicted fire spread in NSW that deputy commissioner Rob Rogers was speaking about earlier. The red zones are areas where the fire is expected to grow, the crosshatched areas are areas of potential ember attack. |
| But, as noted earlier, this only covers existing fires. New fires — and with extreme to catastrophic conditions throughout southeast NSW, you can bet on new fires starting — could occur outside of these highlighted areas. | But, as noted earlier, this only covers existing fires. New fires — and with extreme to catastrophic conditions throughout southeast NSW, you can bet on new fires starting — could occur outside of these highlighted areas. |
| Here is the video of that interview with Zoey Salucci-McDermott, the pregnant 20-year-old woman at Cobargo who refused to shake prime minister Scott Morrison’s hand. | Here is the video of that interview with Zoey Salucci-McDermott, the pregnant 20-year-old woman at Cobargo who refused to shake prime minister Scott Morrison’s hand. |
| There has been a bit of inconsistency with the spelling of Zoey’s name, but it is with a -y. Apologies if we got that wrong before. | There has been a bit of inconsistency with the spelling of Zoey’s name, but it is with a -y. Apologies if we got that wrong before. |