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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
Andrews announces the government will match the $2m donated to a Bendigo Bank community fund to support the bushfire recovery. He urges the community to donate cash instead of food and clothing. Andrews says they cannot take any more food and clothing donations.
Importantly, he also announced the number of missing persons in Victoria has been reduced from seven to four.
Daniel Andrews is speaking from a police operations centre in Victoria. He says conditions there have eased today, but the heavy smoke is creating new challenges.
Hi everyone, and thanks to Amy Remeikis for keeping us up to date this morning.
The Victorian premier is just giving an update on the bushfires in that state now. I’ll bring you that in a moment.
For now, some distressing images are coming out of south-west Sydney, near Voyager Point. That fire is currently listed as only at the “advice” level, but it is out-of-control.
This is the current RFS advice for that fire:
Current Situation
The fire is burning to the north of Voyager Point, near Orlando Crescent.
Conditions are easing.
Firefighters are working to slow the spread of the fire.
Advice
Voyager Point or Hammondville and surrounding areas:
Monitor the conditions.
Activate your bush fire survival plan.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Be alert for embers that may be blown ahead of the fire. This may create spot fires that threaten property before the main fire front arrives.
I am going to hand you over to Chris Knaus for the evening.I am going to hand you over to Chris Knaus for the evening.
For those wanting a quick catch up:For those wanting a quick catch up:
There are no emergency warnings in NSW at the moment, although the Eden fire is causing a bit of trouble.There are no emergency warnings in NSW at the moment, although the Eden fire is causing a bit of trouble.
There is one emergency warning in Victoria.There is one emergency warning in Victoria.
This emergency warning is being issued for Barwidgee, Bobinawarrah, Bowmans Forest, Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Dandongadale, Edi Upper, Everton, Gapsted, Kneebones Gap, Markwood, Meadow Creek, Merriang, Merriang South, Milawa, Mount Buffalo, Myrtleford, Nug Nug, Rose River, Whorouly, Whorouly East, Whorouly South.This emergency warning is being issued for Barwidgee, Bobinawarrah, Bowmans Forest, Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Dandongadale, Edi Upper, Everton, Gapsted, Kneebones Gap, Markwood, Meadow Creek, Merriang, Merriang South, Milawa, Mount Buffalo, Myrtleford, Nug Nug, Rose River, Whorouly, Whorouly East, Whorouly South.
Cooler conditions are giving a slight reprieve – firefighters are using it for shift changes and to attempt to get some more containment lines strengthened.Cooler conditions are giving a slight reprieve – firefighters are using it for shift changes and to attempt to get some more containment lines strengthened.
There is some rain in some areas of the south coast, but not enough to make a difference.There is some rain in some areas of the south coast, but not enough to make a difference.
The ADF is continuing to evacuate people in Mallacoota – everyone who wants out should be able to leave today.The ADF is continuing to evacuate people in Mallacoota – everyone who wants out should be able to leave today.
Scott Morrison has defended his leadership again, including releasing an ad detailing the government’s ADF response.Scott Morrison has defended his leadership again, including releasing an ad detailing the government’s ADF response.
Again – thank you. Please, take care of you.Again – thank you. Please, take care of you.
There are not a lot of flights coming in or out of Canberra at the moment.There are not a lot of flights coming in or out of Canberra at the moment.
Here is one of the reasons why:Here is one of the reasons why:
Scott Morrison is asked what his message is, to the world at large, which is watching, and told that the social media hashtag is “Australia is on fire”.Scott Morrison is asked what his message is, to the world at large, which is watching, and told that the social media hashtag is “Australia is on fire”.
His response is brief.His response is brief.
He is again asked about his leadership during this crisis:He is again asked about his leadership during this crisis:
Scott Morrison is asked if he has apologised to Shane Fitzsimmons for not telling him in advance about the ADF deployment – he says he has already done that.Scott Morrison is asked if he has apologised to Shane Fitzsimmons for not telling him in advance about the ADF deployment – he says he has already done that.
The defence force chief Angus Campbell is also there.The defence force chief Angus Campbell is also there.
Shane Fitzsimmons though, seizes the chance to provide another update:Shane Fitzsimmons though, seizes the chance to provide another update:
Gladys Berejiklian is very quick:Gladys Berejiklian is very quick:
The prime minister doesn’t want a press conference – he mentions both he and the premier had “fairly lengthy” ones already today, and they need to move on.The prime minister doesn’t want a press conference – he mentions both he and the premier had “fairly lengthy” ones already today, and they need to move on.
There is a cabinet meeting tomorrow, as well as a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet.There is a cabinet meeting tomorrow, as well as a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet.
The prime minister, who said he would join Gladys Berejiklian and Shane Fitzsimmons today, is in Nowra.The prime minister, who said he would join Gladys Berejiklian and Shane Fitzsimmons today, is in Nowra.
NSW emergency services minister David Elliot has visited Wingello with deputy RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers.NSW emergency services minister David Elliot has visited Wingello with deputy RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers.
The small village of about 300 people in the southern highlands was hit hard last night. At least six properties are confirmed destroyed – many of the along the main street. In the backstreets there are black paddocks and molten cars.The small village of about 300 people in the southern highlands was hit hard last night. At least six properties are confirmed destroyed – many of the along the main street. In the backstreets there are black paddocks and molten cars.
Elliot greets a number of firefighters there. They have had a big couple of days and tonight’s prospects are concerning. He asks a few of them what they need. “We’re good, thanks David, we’ve got everything”, one says.Elliot greets a number of firefighters there. They have had a big couple of days and tonight’s prospects are concerning. He asks a few of them what they need. “We’re good, thanks David, we’ve got everything”, one says.
Speaking to the ABC, Elliot says there are going to be huge concerns for mental health and trauma among the firefighters and affected residents.Speaking to the ABC, Elliot says there are going to be huge concerns for mental health and trauma among the firefighters and affected residents.
He notes the mental health funding and services announced by the NSW government.He notes the mental health funding and services announced by the NSW government.
“My advice is if you need it, use it”, he says.“My advice is if you need it, use it”, he says.
“Don’t be ashamed…we all need help.”“Don’t be ashamed…we all need help.”
He’s also asked about going on holidays.He’s also asked about going on holidays.
Elliot says that the holiday was planned with his family a long time ago, and that plan always included coming straight back if he was needed. He says that’s exactly what he did.Elliot says that the holiday was planned with his family a long time ago, and that plan always included coming straight back if he was needed. He says that’s exactly what he did.
The ACT is expecting 100,000 P2 masks from the commonwealth tomorrow morning.The ACT is expecting 100,000 P2 masks from the commonwealth tomorrow morning.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr:ACT chief minister Andrew Barr:
Andrew Barr is addressing the media.Andrew Barr is addressing the media.
Canberra has the worst air quality in the world at the moment.Canberra has the worst air quality in the world at the moment.
Barr says masks are coming (you should be able to get them at your local chemists, with some hardware stores also providing them) but he advises residents to avoid leaving their homes.Barr says masks are coming (you should be able to get them at your local chemists, with some hardware stores also providing them) but he advises residents to avoid leaving their homes.
It may seem a bit better today but we are just in the eye of the storm, Victorian authorities say.It may seem a bit better today but we are just in the eye of the storm, Victorian authorities say.