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Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires crisis has 'months to go' as Morrison announces recovery effort – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW and Victoria bushfires crisis has 'months to go' as Morrison announces recovery effort – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
NSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says he was frustrated to learn of ADF deployment from the media. Follow all today’s live news and latest updatesNSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says he was frustrated to learn of ADF deployment from the media. Follow all today’s live news and latest updates
Asked if Labor could also be accused of playing politics with this - which is what it is accusing the government of having done - Ed Husic has this to say: Latest update on the NSW fires
Ed Husic is speaking to David Speers about the government’s response and the ad: Meanwhile, Australia has reached “pray for” status on social media thanks to French footballer Kylian Mbappé’s efforts on Instagram and Twitter.Earlier today, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has more than 37m followers on Instagram, urged his followers on both social media platforms to #prayforaustralia.So far the Instagram version of the message has more than 2m likes.
Ben Shepherd from the NSW RFS just clarified the Eden advice (in case there was any further confusion) on the ABC: Celeste Barber’s fundraiser is now at $21.5m.
Totally normal. She started it on 3 January.
Ian Campbell, the emergency operations spokesman for the Bega Valley shire council, has just spoken to ABC local radio about the situation in Eden and its surrounds. He says most residents have already left the town. But the message to those who remain is to monitor the situation closely. The government pledged $26m for additional aerial support on Saturday. Barber’s fundraising could top that.
He said: ”Many people have left Eden this morning on the back of advice from NSW police and the Rural Fire Service. Certainly for those still in Eden, it’s crucial that you monitor conditions, get yourself in a safe place, and be aware of what’s going on.”It’s clear that properties just south of Eden have already been lost. Fire and Rescue NSW units in Eden reported an hour ago that they had just attended a house on Jim McMahon Drive in Kiah. A “very slow fire” was travelling through the area and had destroyed some homes. Here is the latest warning on the Eden fire:
And for those needing help with their insurance claims. Current Situation
So much of our wildlife is in distress. The fire crossed the Victorian border and spread rapidly following a strong southerly change.
Australia’s smoke is still reaching New Zealand. The fire is burning south of Eden.
Journalists on the ground in Eden are reporting police told people gathered at the Eden wharf they had to evacuate unless they were fully prepared to protect their property. The fire has impacted the areas of Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds.
Many of those people have moved north to Merimbula, which also looks like the gates of hell have been opened. The fire also spread on its western edge near Burragate.
Just a little update on the situation in Eden. Building impact assessment teams will be deployed to assess damage to properties.
There is some conflicting information coming out about evacuation advice. Advice
Police and the Bega Valley shire council are telling people to leave to Merimbula or Bega immediately. Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds
But the Rural Fire Service says no evacuation order is in place for Eden. The fire has moved through this area.
We’re trying to get some clarity on this. Monitor the conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.
A number of roads are fire affected, blocked or closed.
Burragate and Towamba
Monitor changing conditions and remain in place.
Seek shelter as the fire approaches and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
A number of roads are blocked and closed.
Be alert to embers and spot fires.
Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
Wyndham, Rocky Hall, Nethercote, Eden and surrounds
Monitor the conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave towards Merimbula or Pambula.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.
Local roads may be affected by fire, blocked or closed.
The areas of Merimbula, Pambula and surrounds are not under threat.
According to the Live Traffic App, there is a section of the M5 which is closed in both directions between Henry Lawson Drive and Heathcote Rd in Hammondville because of thick smoke from nearby fires.
The border fire (which was renamed overnight as fires on the Victorian and NSW border merged) is still the one fire crews are most worried about.
That is the one that is impacting Eden.
More totally normal things.
Reports flights are being diverted because of the smoke.
Cooma is also dealing with the flooding impacts of a 4.5m-litre water tank exploding.
Asked if Labor could also be accused of playing politics with this – which is what it is accusing the government of having done – Ed Husic has this to say: