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| PM announces recovery effort in fire crisis that has 'months to go' – as it happened | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| This bog is now closed. Our coverage will resume on Monday morning | |
| Time for a quick wrap up of what we’ve learned today. | Time for a quick wrap up of what we’ve learned today. |
| Conditions have eased in both Victoria and NSW, as temperatures drop and winds settle. Authorities in both states have warned the danger is far from over. These fires will continue to burn for weeks, and any deterioration in conditions will again place lives and property in peril. In NSW, temperatures are forecast to reach the 40s again on Friday. | Conditions have eased in both Victoria and NSW, as temperatures drop and winds settle. Authorities in both states have warned the danger is far from over. These fires will continue to burn for weeks, and any deterioration in conditions will again place lives and property in peril. In NSW, temperatures are forecast to reach the 40s again on Friday. |
| Three emergency warnings remain active in Victoria, particularly in the Gippsland region, and four people remain missing in the state. It has been hard for authorities there to survey the damage, due to heavy smoke cover, and the lack of access to isolated communities. The evacuation from Mallacoota is continuing, since it was isolated on New Year’s Eve. | Three emergency warnings remain active in Victoria, particularly in the Gippsland region, and four people remain missing in the state. It has been hard for authorities there to survey the damage, due to heavy smoke cover, and the lack of access to isolated communities. The evacuation from Mallacoota is continuing, since it was isolated on New Year’s Eve. |
| No emergency warnings are active in NSW, but seven fires remain at the watch and act level. Crews have begun to assess the damage across the state, and believe at least 60 homes have been lost. That number is expected to increase significantly, as crews conduct further assessments. The worst-hit regions have been in the southern highlands, particularly Kangaroo Valley and Wingello, and the Snowy Mountains foothills, particularly in Batlow, where a man died trying to protect his friend’s home. On the far south coast, Eden has not yet been reached by bushfire and concerns eased slightly on Sunday afternoon, when the fire was downgraded to watch and act status. Most of the town’s residents have already been evacuated. Smaller towns south of Eden were hit hard, and experienced property loss. | No emergency warnings are active in NSW, but seven fires remain at the watch and act level. Crews have begun to assess the damage across the state, and believe at least 60 homes have been lost. That number is expected to increase significantly, as crews conduct further assessments. The worst-hit regions have been in the southern highlands, particularly Kangaroo Valley and Wingello, and the Snowy Mountains foothills, particularly in Batlow, where a man died trying to protect his friend’s home. On the far south coast, Eden has not yet been reached by bushfire and concerns eased slightly on Sunday afternoon, when the fire was downgraded to watch and act status. Most of the town’s residents have already been evacuated. Smaller towns south of Eden were hit hard, and experienced property loss. |
| A fire that flared up south-west of Sydney, at Voyager Point, is not threatening homes and firefighters were bringing it under control on Sunday evening. | A fire that flared up south-west of Sydney, at Voyager Point, is not threatening homes and firefighters were bringing it under control on Sunday evening. |
| A clearer picture has emerged from the fires that tore through Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The fires caused significant damage to the island’s tourism industry, destroying businesses like the luxury Southern Ocean Lodge, and devastating the broader Flinders Chase wilderness area. The fire has also destroyed at least $20m worth of bluegum and pine trees on plantations run by Kanagaroo Island Plantation Timber. | A clearer picture has emerged from the fires that tore through Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The fires caused significant damage to the island’s tourism industry, destroying businesses like the luxury Southern Ocean Lodge, and devastating the broader Flinders Chase wilderness area. The fire has also destroyed at least $20m worth of bluegum and pine trees on plantations run by Kanagaroo Island Plantation Timber. |
| Air quality continued to be extremely poor in Canberra, where bushfire smoke caused the closure of multiple businesses, the cancellation of flights, the continued suspension of the postal service, and the movement of sporting teams and events. The government has promised stocks of P2 masks will be replenished today and tomorrow, following a shortage. | Air quality continued to be extremely poor in Canberra, where bushfire smoke caused the closure of multiple businesses, the cancellation of flights, the continued suspension of the postal service, and the movement of sporting teams and events. The government has promised stocks of P2 masks will be replenished today and tomorrow, following a shortage. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, again came under scrutiny today for failing to tell the NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, before he announced he was calling up 3,000 army reservists to help with the recovery effort. Fitzsimmons was furious. Morrison blamed a communications breakdown. Morrison also came under further pressure for the political ad he released about the federal government’s efforts at the height of the crisis. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, again came under scrutiny today for failing to tell the NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, before he announced he was calling up 3,000 army reservists to help with the recovery effort. Fitzsimmons was furious. Morrison blamed a communications breakdown. Morrison also came under further pressure for the political ad he released about the federal government’s efforts at the height of the crisis. |
| Morrison announced a new federal agency to coordinate bushfire recovery and support. He said he is considering whether a royal commission is needed. | Morrison announced a new federal agency to coordinate bushfire recovery and support. He said he is considering whether a royal commission is needed. |
| An extraordinary outpouring of support has continued to fuel donations to firefighters and the Red Cross. The fundraising effort started by the comedian Celeste Barber has now attracted more than $20m in donations. The Victorian government has announced its own community relief fund and has urged residents not to donate goods, but instead make financial contributions. Large contributions have been made by Nicole Kidman, Ash Barty and Pink. | An extraordinary outpouring of support has continued to fuel donations to firefighters and the Red Cross. The fundraising effort started by the comedian Celeste Barber has now attracted more than $20m in donations. The Victorian government has announced its own community relief fund and has urged residents not to donate goods, but instead make financial contributions. Large contributions have been made by Nicole Kidman, Ash Barty and Pink. |
| Thanks again for sticking with us. It’s been another challenging day and we’re far from out of the woods yet. | Thanks again for sticking with us. It’s been another challenging day and we’re far from out of the woods yet. |
| The forest scientist Tom Fairman has just published a really interesting thread on the impact of recurring fire events on the snow gums in Victoria’s alpine region. | The forest scientist Tom Fairman has just published a really interesting thread on the impact of recurring fire events on the snow gums in Victoria’s alpine region. |
| Faces from the southern highlands, by the Guardian’s Jessica Hromas. The region endured a torrid night last night, when fires raced north from the Shoalhaven River. The scale of the damage is slowly being revealed today, and we now know multiple homes were lost in Kangaroo Valley and Wingello. | Faces from the southern highlands, by the Guardian’s Jessica Hromas. The region endured a torrid night last night, when fires raced north from the Shoalhaven River. The scale of the damage is slowly being revealed today, and we now know multiple homes were lost in Kangaroo Valley and Wingello. |
| Svitzer, a tug boat company, has performed exceptionally throughout the fire crisis on the NSW far south coast. The company has just posted this on Instagram: | Svitzer, a tug boat company, has performed exceptionally throughout the fire crisis on the NSW far south coast. The company has just posted this on Instagram: |
| The Australian tennis champion Ash Barty has promised to donate any prize money she earns from next week’s Brisbane International to the Red Cross. That could be up to $382,000 if she wins the tournament. | The Australian tennis champion Ash Barty has promised to donate any prize money she earns from next week’s Brisbane International to the Red Cross. That could be up to $382,000 if she wins the tournament. |
| She follows Nick Kyrgios, who pledged to donate $200 per ace served over the summer. | She follows Nick Kyrgios, who pledged to donate $200 per ace served over the summer. |
| Meanwhile, the actress Nicole Kidman has pledged to donate $500,000. The American pop star Pink donated $500,000 yesterday. | Meanwhile, the actress Nicole Kidman has pledged to donate $500,000. The American pop star Pink donated $500,000 yesterday. |
| The fundraising campaign started by the comedian Celeste Barber has now received more than $20m. | The fundraising campaign started by the comedian Celeste Barber has now received more than $20m. |
| Some good news in Bundanoon in the NSW southern highlands, where we’ve had a little rain. We also witnessed some rain earlier today in Batemans Bay on the south coast, which has been ravaged by fire. | Some good news in Bundanoon in the NSW southern highlands, where we’ve had a little rain. We also witnessed some rain earlier today in Batemans Bay on the south coast, which has been ravaged by fire. |
| Rob Rogers say the RFS is comfortable for people to stay in Eden currently. He says the fire has not reached the town. | Rob Rogers say the RFS is comfortable for people to stay in Eden currently. He says the fire has not reached the town. |
| He says the fire burning at Voyager Point, in Sydney’s south-west, has not been contained. But he says he is comfortable that the fire will be brought under control this evening. | He says the fire burning at Voyager Point, in Sydney’s south-west, has not been contained. But he says he is comfortable that the fire will be brought under control this evening. |
| In the southern highlands, he says firefighters are using the easing conditions to build containment lines. Their focus on the active fires continues to be to prevent property loss. | In the southern highlands, he says firefighters are using the easing conditions to build containment lines. Their focus on the active fires continues to be to prevent property loss. |
| Rogers says the bushfire threat is not going anywhere, anytime soon. | Rogers says the bushfire threat is not going anywhere, anytime soon. |
| The RFS deputy commissioner, Rob Rogers, has confirmed at least 60 homes have been lost across the state. | The RFS deputy commissioner, Rob Rogers, has confirmed at least 60 homes have been lost across the state. |
| Images are continuing to emerge from the southern highlands, where some towns were was overcome by fire on Saturday evening. Embers from the Currowan fire jumped the Shoalhaven River and started a new blaze that moved northward towards the town of Wingello, where multiple homes have been destroyed. | Images are continuing to emerge from the southern highlands, where some towns were was overcome by fire on Saturday evening. Embers from the Currowan fire jumped the Shoalhaven River and started a new blaze that moved northward towards the town of Wingello, where multiple homes have been destroyed. |
| These images are from Guardian photographer Jessica Hromas, who was on the scene today. | These images are from Guardian photographer Jessica Hromas, who was on the scene today. |
| New Zealand’s defence force is pitching in to help Australia. The defence minister Ron Mark announced NZ would send three NH90 helicopters and crew, two NZ Army combat engineer sections, and a command element to support the ADF. | New Zealand’s defence force is pitching in to help Australia. The defence minister Ron Mark announced NZ would send three NH90 helicopters and crew, two NZ Army combat engineer sections, and a command element to support the ADF. |
| “This latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground,” Mark said in a statement. | “This latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground,” Mark said in a statement. |
| 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “It was unfightable”, Bates said of the fire. |
| “Is this our new normal? That’s the fear.” | “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”. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | “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.” | “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. | 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. | “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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “A lot of our blokes have gone out today to destroy injured sheep – you’re talking thousands,” she said. |
| “They’re digging pits.” | “They’re digging pits.” |
| The fires were “the worst we’ve ever had”, she said. | The fires were “the worst we’ve ever had”, she said. |
| “We had a big one in 2007 but not to this extent.” | “We had a big one in 2007 but not to this extent.” |
| “And the loss of the two lives – well.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. |