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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
Just back on those air quality issues in the ACT, for a moment. Residents have been frustrated by shortages in P2 masks. To make matters worse, Australia Post has suspended services in the territory because of the heavy bushfire smoke, so ordering online is no help.
Chief minister Andrew Barr now says new stocks of masks are due in Canberra, through chemists and hardware stores, either today or tomorrow.
The Voyager Point fire burning to Sydney’s south-west is causing nearby residents considerable concern. But the RFS has advised that crews are working to contain the fire and that there is no threat to homes.
The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews mentioned a little earlier that relief centres were struggling to process donated goods like clothing and food.
Victoria’s emergency services have echoed that message. They want people to channel their noble intentions into donating cash instead.
The terrible air quality in the nation’s capital – rated the worst in the world on three separate days in recent weeks – is continuing to pose problems. This time, one of the ACT’s universities, the University of Canberra, has announced it has been forced to close its main campus for 48 hours.
Eerie footage of the drive between Tumut and Batlow in the foothills of NSW’s Snowy Mountains. Posted by Tom Lowrey, a reporter with the ABC.
The Kangaroo Island fire has also destroyed at least $20m worth of blue gum and pine trees on plantations run by Kanagaroo Island Plantation Timber.
On Friday KIPT said it was still assessing the damage, but at least 13% of its forests had been burned.
The company said it would try to salvage wood from the areas that have already burned by bringing forward harvesting.
“It was unfightable”, Bates said of the fire.
“Is this our new normal? That’s the fear.”
She said the fires were “greatly subdued, but we’re in for some warmer weather midweek”.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Fire crews from Adelaide have relieved tired local volunteers, but Bates said locals would be keen to handle the mop up.
She said tourists were evacuated to Penneshaw before boarding Sealink ferries to the mainland.
“This is our very busiest peak time, this is when the influx comes”, she said.
“There were 10 or 11,000 people here, in total – that’s a bit of a guess.”
Visitors have been asked not to come to the island unless it is essential.
“Most tourists want to visit our beautiful iconic sites – and of course there’s no access to that end of the island,” Bates said.
“It’s best to give us all a bit of breathing space and then come back later.”
Farmers on Kangaroo Island were shooting fire-injured sheep on Sunday as the small community prepared for more dangerous days ahead when hot weather returns in the middle of the week.
Ferries to the mainland have been running almost around the clock to evacuate thousands of tourists back to the South Australian mainland, former mayor Jayne Bates said.
Bates lives in Penneshaw, which is on the east of the island closest to the mainland and hosts its ferry terminal.
Firefighters on the island have been battling fires since before Christmas that blazed out of control after extreme weather on Friday.
The fires, which are still burning, started at the western end of the 160km-long island, and have burned about a third of it, devastating the island’s two main industries, tourism and farming.
Most of the tourist attractions are at the western end of the island.
They include the luxury Southern Ocean Lodge, which has been destroyed by fire, and the broader Flinders Chase wilderness area.
Bates said a large number of farm buildings had also been destroyed.
“A lot of our blokes have gone out today to destroy injured sheep – you’re talking thousands,” she said.
“They’re digging pits.”
The fires were “the worst we’ve ever had”, she said.
“We had a big one in 2007 but not to this extent.”
“And the loss of the two lives – well.”
Former pilot Dick Lang and his son Clayton Lang were killed when fire over-ran their car on Friday.
Back in NSW, the latest figures suggest 146 fires are still burning across the state. About 65 have not been contained.
A huge firefighting effort is continuing with 2,700 personnel in the field.
The RFS says no total fire ban has been issued for Monday.
Andrews is also quizzed on whether Victoria is doing enough hazard reduction work in the lead-up to the bushfire season. He said it’s getting harder and harder to find safe times to do hazard reduction burns.
Andrews also praised the logistical and funding support offered by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to Victoria.
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.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.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.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.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.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.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:This is the current RFS advice for that fire:
Current SituationCurrent Situation
The fire is burning to the north of Voyager Point, near Orlando Crescent.The fire is burning to the north of Voyager Point, near Orlando Crescent.
Conditions are easing.Conditions are easing.
Firefighters are working to slow the spread of the fire.Firefighters are working to slow the spread of the fire.
AdviceAdvice
Voyager Point or Hammondville and surrounding areas:Voyager Point or Hammondville and surrounding areas:
Monitor the conditions.Monitor the conditions.
Activate your bush fire survival plan.Activate your bush fire survival plan.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.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.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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
He notes the mental health funding and services announced by the NSW government.
“My advice is if you need it, use it”, he says.
“Don’t be ashamed…we all need help.”
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.
The ACT is expecting 100,000 P2 masks from the commonwealth tomorrow morning.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr:
Andrew Barr is addressing the media.
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.
It may seem a bit better today but we are just in the eye of the storm, Victorian authorities say.