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Australia fires live: one dead in NSW and six missing in Victoria in Australian bushfires – latest updates Australia fires live: one dead in NSW and six missing in Victoria in Australian bushfires – 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
The prime minister’s press conference is due to start any minute now. Doesn’t look like we have an Auslan interpreter at this press conference.
We updated you a little while ago on the fundraiser Celeste Barber started for the rural fire service reaching $16m. That has been surpassed again. The government should probably start considering that.
From AAP:Comedian Celeste Barber has raised more than $18m million for fire services battling Australian blazes.An Australian comedian who won over fans with her celebrity parodies on Instagram has helped raise a staggering $18m from 450,000 donations in three days. The former AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin will head up the national bushfire recovery agency, which will report to minister, David Littleproud.
Barber, who has 6.4m Instagram followers, drew pledges from as far the UK, US, France, Italy in her bid to raise $20m for the NSW Rural Fire Service. Scott Morrison says the commonwealth services will be working in conjunction with what the states are doing, but he won’t be seeking matching contributions from the states for the commonwealth funding.
NSW has raised more than $773,000, surpassing a $500,000 target, in one day. The government is also announcing mental health support:
There is growing global and celebrity support for bushfire fundraising efforts, with reality TV star Kim Kardashian West among those lending support by sharing social media links on how to donate. “Those who have been in some of these areas will know that this fire and the haze and the fear and the quite extreme conditions will have had a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in these communities, not just in those areas where people are resident but people that would have been there during these fires.
Just below Mt Hotham: “It’s important we are addressing the mental health needs as well as the many other health needs that will need to be addressed.
Here is the latest advice on the border fire from the NSW RFS: “This organisation will be stood up for at least two years and we will be able to talk more about its funding arrangements in the not-too-distant future after cabinet considers the formal proposals, which are coming forward and have already been considered by the national security committee.
A bush fire is burning north from the Victorian border. The fire is more than 140,000ha and is out of control. Our neighbours are offering us more defence support.
Current situation Scott Morrison:
The fire crossed the Victorian border and spread rapidly following a strong southerly change. Scott Morrison says he’ll join the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, later today.
The fire is burning south of Eden. You’ll know why eyebrows would be heading a little skyward at that if you have followed along with the relations between the two governments over the past 24 hours. But this is about reassuring the public they are working well together, despite the political games that have been played.
The fire has impacted the areas of Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds. The prime minister is in Canberra, holding a press conference updating on what the ADF has been doing.
The fire also spread on its western edge near Burragate. Chinooks are also involved in evacuations.
Building impact assessment teams will be deployed to assess damage to properties. The ADF is also working to clear roads as the recovery begins in some areas.
Advice Just before the prime minister speaks, we’ll update you on what has happened so far this morning
If you are in the area of Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds, the fire has moved through this area. Monitor the conditions. Be alert for falling trees and branches. A 47-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died helping a friend prepare his Batlow property against fire
If you are in the areas of 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. Four firefighters have been injured overnight
If you are in the areas of Wyndham, Rocky Hall, Nethercote, Eden and surrounds, continue to monitor conditions and be prepared to act should conditions change. Hundreds of homes have been lost in the southern NSW fires
The areas of Merimbula, Pambula and surrounds are not under any current threat. More than 35,000 people remain without power in that same area
This is one of the areas NSW authorities are worried about today. Canberra’s air quality is once again the worst in the world
The air quality in Canberra is getting no better. The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, says NSW is facing something it has never seen before
Woolworths has given an update on which of its stores are open in the fire zones: The NSW RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, has expressed his “disappointment” the prime minister didn’t tell him about the additional ADF deployment ahead of the media announcement, although he welcomes it. The premier was informed.
Woolworths bushfire update 10.30am Sunday 5 January10.30am The defence minister, Linda Reynolds, was conceded communication could have been better.
NSW Essential Energy say 35,600 customers remain without power in southern NSW, a situation which is likely to remain for quite a few days.
Woolworths Merimbula, Bega, Tura Beach and Narooma are open today but will operate limited trading hours due to team availability.
Woolworths Moruya is open but stock levels remain low and the store will operate limited hours today.
Woolworths Ulladulla is open but may need to close early due to team availability.
Woolworths Vincentia, Nowra and Culburra beach are open today.
Woolworths Batemans Bay remains closed. We are working to open the store today subject to power, team availability and safe access.
Woolworths Bermagui is likely to remain closed today due to access to the town, power and team availability.
Woolworths Jindabyne and Tumut have reopened after closing early yesterday due to nearby bushfires.
Woolworths Bowral and Mittagong in the Southern Highlands are open.
VIC
Woolworths Bright has reopened today after closing early yesterday.
The cooler conditions today don’t mean this is over, by any means.
This news clip on Seven Network is still doing the rounds – and for good reason.