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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
(32 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
Labor’s shadow health minister, Chris Bowen, has some suggestions on what should happen with mental health services, during the bushfire crisis:
The National Rural Health Alliance is the latest medical group to call for climate change to be treated as a health issue:
The Royal Australian College of GPs also treats climate change as a health issue
Zali Steggall is talking about the Climate Act she wants to put forward in the next parliament (Sarah Martin wrote about that here) on the ABC.
She wants “modern Liberals” to cross the floor – and follow through on their promises.
NSW Corrections media has said staff and inmates from the Illawarra reintegration centre have been helping to rebuild the Bargo dingo shelter, which was destroyed by bushfires.NSW Corrections media has said staff and inmates from the Illawarra reintegration centre have been helping to rebuild the Bargo dingo shelter, which was destroyed by bushfires.
The shelter’s gardens, sheds and showroom, which had half a century of memorabilia in it, were completely gutted.The shelter’s gardens, sheds and showroom, which had half a century of memorabilia in it, were completely gutted.
Two Corrective Services staff have overseen the 13 minimum security inmates clear the area and fix fences and sewer lines in an attempt to rebuild the shelter.Two Corrective Services staff have overseen the 13 minimum security inmates clear the area and fix fences and sewer lines in an attempt to rebuild the shelter.
A team of two Corrective Services NSW overseers and 13 minimum-security inmates have cut fallen trees, cleared debris and fixed fences and a sewer line as part of the project.A team of two Corrective Services NSW overseers and 13 minimum-security inmates have cut fallen trees, cleared debris and fixed fences and a sewer line as part of the project.
From the statement:From the statement:
The inmates also set up shade cloth to help the dingoes settle into their new pens.The inmates also set up shade cloth to help the dingoes settle into their new pens.
More information from the statement:More information from the statement:
The sanctuary is run by the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society, which was formed in 1976 by Berenice Walters to promote understanding and knowledge of Australia’s native dog, the dingo, and its official recognition and protection as native fauna.The sanctuary is run by the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society, which was formed in 1976 by Berenice Walters to promote understanding and knowledge of Australia’s native dog, the dingo, and its official recognition and protection as native fauna.
If you would like to donate to the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary or help with the rebuild, visit dingosanctuarybargo.com.au for more information.If you would like to donate to the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary or help with the rebuild, visit dingosanctuarybargo.com.au for more information.
It is believed that up to 1.000 beehives have been lost in the Kangaroo Island fires (along with hundreds of livestock).It is believed that up to 1.000 beehives have been lost in the Kangaroo Island fires (along with hundreds of livestock).
One of the bee populations under threat is the Ligurian bee – the last of the genetically untouched population lives on the island.One of the bee populations under threat is the Ligurian bee – the last of the genetically untouched population lives on the island.
You can learn more about the fundraising effort to save this endangered bee, here.You can learn more about the fundraising effort to save this endangered bee, here.
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.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 have 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.There have 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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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.
Andrew Crisp:
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.
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.
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.
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 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 (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.
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 road to Corryong has been reopened – but only for residents. And it could close at anytime.
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).
The ACT health minister has put out this update:
You’ll find that website, here