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Australia fires live: South Australia, NSW and Victoria brace for return of bushfire danger – latest updates Australia fires live: South Australia, NSW and Victoria brace for return of bushfire danger – latest updates
(31 minutes later)
Temperatures and winds set to rise as weather conditions worsen, bringing severe bushfire risk. Follow the latest news and live updatesTemperatures and winds set to rise as weather conditions worsen, bringing severe bushfire risk. Follow the latest news and live updates
For those still wondering what a state of disaster means - it basically gives authorities more compulsion powers. Kylie Jenner has donated US$1m to Australian firefighters and those impacted by the fires the ABC followed up with some of the recipients, which included Queensland, to help them prepare for future seasons.
There has been a lot of questions around this, particularly since we keep hearing we will “meet and beat” our Paris target, in the midst of this disaster.
Water contamination is still an issue in many of the fire zones and surrounds.
Professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of NSW, Stuart Khan, has written on that today, for the Conversation.
For those still wondering what a state of disaster means – it basically gives authorities more compulsion powers.
If they tell you to go, you have to go.If they tell you to go, you have to go.
From VicEmergency
The declaration is made where the Premier agrees there is an emergency that constitutes, or is likely to constitute, a significant and widespread danger to life or property.
This declaration gives the Victorian Government the powers and resources it needs to keep Victorians safe. It is the first time such powers have been used since they were included in the Emergency Management Act 1986 following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.
The declaration applies to the local government areas of East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire, Alpine Shire, and Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts.
A State of Disaster:
may be declared to exist in the whole, or parts, of Victoriamay be declared to exist in the whole, or parts, of Victoria
exists immediately upon the making of the declaration and remains in force for one month (unless another declaration is made)exists immediately upon the making of the declaration and remains in force for one month (unless another declaration is made)
can be revoked or varied by the Premier at any time. can be revoked or varied by the premier at any time.
People in these areas must follow advice from emergency services. Do not travel to these areas and if you are in any of these areas, leave now if it is safe to do so. The community should monitor advice and warnings at emergency.vic.gov.au (External link) Daniel Andrews says he has not taken the decision to extend the state of disaster easily, but he believes it is necessary to save lives.
Daniel Andrews says he has not taken the decision to extend the state of disaster, easily - but he believes it is necessary to save lives.
Andrew Crisp says authorities are still conducting assessments of homes lost in East Gippsland.Andrew Crisp says authorities are still conducting assessments of homes lost in East Gippsland.
So far, they have made it to 2,800 property assessments. 244 homes “have been impacted in one way or another”. All up, Crisp says 400 “structures” have been hit – that includes sheds and things like that. But there are still areas they haven’t been able to get into because of the smoke and fire risk.So far, they have made it to 2,800 property assessments. 244 homes “have been impacted in one way or another”. All up, Crisp says 400 “structures” have been hit – that includes sheds and things like that. But there are still areas they haven’t been able to get into because of the smoke and fire risk.
The Victorian authorities are really stressing the “leave now” message.The Victorian authorities are really stressing the “leave now” message.
Andrew Crisp:Andrew Crisp:
Fifteen million dollars has been donated to the Victorian bushfire appeal so far, Daniel Andrews says.Fifteen million dollars has been donated to the Victorian bushfire appeal so far, Daniel Andrews says.
He says every dollar in the state’s appeal will go to families who have been impacted by the fires.He says every dollar in the state’s appeal will go to families who have been impacted by the fires.
Victorian emergency services minister Lisa Neville says fire strike teams are being moved into place, given the predicted conditions for tomorrow:Victorian emergency services minister Lisa Neville says fire strike teams are being moved into place, given the predicted conditions for tomorrow:
The Victorian emergency commissioner, Andrew Crisp, says there are 23 ongoing fires in the state’s north-east region at the moment.The Victorian emergency commissioner, Andrew Crisp, says there are 23 ongoing fires in the state’s north-east region at the moment.
It had been 12. They are not new fires, but they have split the fires up (in terms of names) to make it easier for people in the impacted communities to understand which are close to them.It had been 12. They are not new fires, but they have split the fires up (in terms of names) to make it easier for people in the impacted communities to understand which are close to them.
Of those 23 fires, 13 have watch and act alerts.Of those 23 fires, 13 have watch and act alerts.
More than 1.2m hectares has been burned since 21 November.More than 1.2m hectares has been burned since 21 November.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, says the state of disaster declaration will remain in place for at least another 48 hours, after receiving a briefing on the weather conditions for the next two days.The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, says the state of disaster declaration will remain in place for at least another 48 hours, after receiving a briefing on the weather conditions for the next two days.
The Australia Institute has done some polling on what sort of response people want in terms of the climate emergency.The Australia Institute has done some polling on what sort of response people want in terms of the climate emergency.
– Two in three Australians (66%) agree that Australia is facing a climate change emergency and should take emergency action. Only one in four Australians (23%) disagree.– Two in three Australians (66%) agree that Australia is facing a climate change emergency and should take emergency action. Only one in four Australians (23%) disagree.
– Two in three Australians (63%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change, like they did during the world wars.– Two in three Australians (63%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change, like they did during the world wars.
– A majority of Coalition (56%), Labor (74%) and Greens voters (80%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change.– A majority of Coalition (56%), Labor (74%) and Greens voters (80%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change.
And here was the method, for those wondering:And here was the method, for those wondering:
“The Australia Institute conducted a national survey of 1,424 people between 1 and 15 November 2019, online through Dynata with nationally representative samples by gender, age, state and territory, and household income. The margin of error (95% confidence level) for the national results is 2.6%. Results are shown only for larger states.”“The Australia Institute conducted a national survey of 1,424 people between 1 and 15 November 2019, online through Dynata with nationally representative samples by gender, age, state and territory, and household income. The margin of error (95% confidence level) for the national results is 2.6%. Results are shown only for larger states.”
The road to Corryong has been reopened – but only for residents. And it could close at anytime.The road to Corryong has been reopened – but only for residents. And it could close at anytime.
From VicEmergency:From VicEmergency:
Canberra is still suffering from hazardous air quality (it is not so bad now but last night the smoke came rolling through again).Canberra is still suffering from hazardous air quality (it is not so bad now but last night the smoke came rolling through again).
The ACT health minister has put out this update:The ACT health minister has put out this update:
You’ll find that website, hereYou’ll find that website, here