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Sports matches and festivals cancelled: the impact of Australia's bushfire smoke on its major events Sports matches and festivals cancelled: the impact of Australia's bushfire smoke on its major events
(about 11 hours later)
Guardian Australia has tracked the effects of Australia’s bushfire crisis on daily life, outside the fire zonesGuardian Australia has tracked the effects of Australia’s bushfire crisis on daily life, outside the fire zones
As Australia’s bushfires have kept burning and growing, smoke has descended on Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, as well as Melbourne, the nation’s capital and much of regional Australia. In recent days, Canberra has claimed an undesirable honour: the city with the worst air quality in the world.As Australia’s bushfires have kept burning and growing, smoke has descended on Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, as well as Melbourne, the nation’s capital and much of regional Australia. In recent days, Canberra has claimed an undesirable honour: the city with the worst air quality in the world.
While the consequences have been far worse for people living in fire-ravaged parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, the impact of the fire crisis has stretched well beyond those areas.While the consequences have been far worse for people living in fire-ravaged parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, the impact of the fire crisis has stretched well beyond those areas.
Sports matches have been abandoned, one of the country’s most popular music festivals was called off and, in one city, even the mail stopped. Some are now asking whether the bushfire haze over Melbourne might delay the Australian Open. Sports matches have been abandoned, one of the country’s most popular music festivals was called off and, in one city, the mail stopped. Some are now asking whether the bushfire haze over Melbourne might delay the Australian Open.
To track the impact of the fires on daily life outside the fire zone, the Guardian has compiled this list.To track the impact of the fires on daily life outside the fire zone, the Guardian has compiled this list.
NovemberNovember
21 November: On the Central Coast, poor air quality forces the Central Coast council to call off two Christmas events, planned for 23 November and 29 November.21 November: On the Central Coast, poor air quality forces the Central Coast council to call off two Christmas events, planned for 23 November and 29 November.
DecemberDecember
2 December: In a sign of things to come this summer, the Subsonic music festival at Riverwood Downs is postponed until next year.2 December: In a sign of things to come this summer, the Subsonic music festival at Riverwood Downs is postponed until next year.
6 December: As a blanket of smoke descends over Cessnock, a town in the Hunter region of NSW, the council says it will also have to cancel its annual Christmas carols.6 December: As a blanket of smoke descends over Cessnock, a town in the Hunter region of NSW, the council says it will also have to cancel its annual Christmas carols.
10 December: On a particularly bad day in Sydney, Transport for NSW suspends the Sydney Ferries network over the thick smoke that is hanging over the city. The SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, a Sydney to Hobart pre-race event, is also cancelled.10 December: On a particularly bad day in Sydney, Transport for NSW suspends the Sydney Ferries network over the thick smoke that is hanging over the city. The SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, a Sydney to Hobart pre-race event, is also cancelled.
19 December: A harness racing meet at Tamworth will not go ahead, organisers say. They blame poor air quality from the NSW bushfires.19 December: A harness racing meet at Tamworth will not go ahead, organisers say. They blame poor air quality from the NSW bushfires.
22 December: At Manuka Oval, Canberra’s smoky air forces players off the ground in a Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers. The game is abandoned.22 December: At Manuka Oval, Canberra’s smoky air forces players off the ground in a Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers. The game is abandoned.
29 December: Events ACT announces that Canberra’s annual fireworks will not go ahead, citing poor air quality and danger from hot conditions. By New Year’s Eve, the entire ‘New Year’s Eve’ in the city celebrations are called off.29 December: Events ACT announces that Canberra’s annual fireworks will not go ahead, citing poor air quality and danger from hot conditions. By New Year’s Eve, the entire ‘New Year’s Eve’ in the city celebrations are called off.
In Victoria, organisers of the annual Falls festival at Lorne say the rest of the festival will be abandoned. In a statement, they say the forecast for the Otways region will create a “risk to health and safety due to potential fires, smoke, severe winds and tree hazards”.In Victoria, organisers of the annual Falls festival at Lorne say the rest of the festival will be abandoned. In a statement, they say the forecast for the Otways region will create a “risk to health and safety due to potential fires, smoke, severe winds and tree hazards”.
JanuaryJanuary
2 January: In perhaps the most pointed demonstration that daily life has come to a halt in smoke-filled Canberra, Australia Post suspends all postie and van services.2 January: In perhaps the most pointed demonstration that daily life has come to a halt in smoke-filled Canberra, Australia Post suspends all postie and van services.
The Australian War Memorial remains open, but the Last Post is also moved inside and the cafe is closed. Other outdoor sections are closed over the next few days.The Australian War Memorial remains open, but the Last Post is also moved inside and the cafe is closed. Other outdoor sections are closed over the next few days.
Also on the same day, a four-game baseball series between the Canberra Cavalry and Adelaide Giants is called off.Also on the same day, a four-game baseball series between the Canberra Cavalry and Adelaide Giants is called off.
3 January: Sporting events in Canberra continue to be affected by the poor air quality. As the city’s air quality is ranked the worst in the world, Tennis Australia announces it is moving the Canberra International to Bendigo.3 January: Sporting events in Canberra continue to be affected by the poor air quality. As the city’s air quality is ranked the worst in the world, Tennis Australia announces it is moving the Canberra International to Bendigo.
Other matches are also impacted. A W-League football match between Canberra and Newcastle is postponed, while a contest between the Canberra Capitals and the Perth Lynx at the indoor AIS Arena is also scrapped.Other matches are also impacted. A W-League football match between Canberra and Newcastle is postponed, while a contest between the Canberra Capitals and the Perth Lynx at the indoor AIS Arena is also scrapped.
4 January: The Karkarook Parkrun, an annual event at Heatherton in Melbourne’s south-east, fails to proceed over concerns about air quality.4 January: The Karkarook Parkrun, an annual event at Heatherton in Melbourne’s south-east, fails to proceed over concerns about air quality.
5 January: To avoid damage to the art – as well as safety risks to staff and patrons from smoke – the National Gallery says it will be shutting its doors. It reopens on 7 January. Air-quality issues also forced the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force to shutter its Canberra headquarters for two days.5 January: To avoid damage to the art – as well as safety risks to staff and patrons from smoke – the National Gallery says it will be shutting its doors. It reopens on 7 January. Air-quality issues also forced the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force to shutter its Canberra headquarters for two days.
6 January: The Sydney festival’s flagship production, Opening Night, is cancelled due to heath concerns from poor air quality. It was set to be held on 21 January but the production company behind the show pulled out, despite safety assurances from organisers.6 January: The Sydney festival’s flagship production, Opening Night, is cancelled due to heath concerns from poor air quality. It was set to be held on 21 January but the production company behind the show pulled out, despite safety assurances from organisers.
7 January: In the Victorian town of Rutherglen, near Albury, a leg of the popular A Day on the Green festival is abandoned. Cold Chisel were set to headline the event. Smoke from nearby bushfires in the state’s north-east results in “hazardous” level air quality.7 January: In the Victorian town of Rutherglen, near Albury, a leg of the popular A Day on the Green festival is abandoned. Cold Chisel were set to headline the event. Smoke from nearby bushfires in the state’s north-east results in “hazardous” level air quality.