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Australia fires live: NSW, Victoria and South Australian bushfires flare amid extreme conditions – latest updates Australia fires live: NSW, Victoria and South Australian bushfires flare amid extreme conditions – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Exhausted firefighters on Kangaroo Island continue to battle blazes while there are fears bushfires could merge in NSW and Victoria. Follow the latest news and live updatesExhausted firefighters on Kangaroo Island continue to battle blazes while there are fears bushfires could merge in NSW and Victoria. Follow the latest news and live updates
The exaggerated claims about arson are not restricted to English-language media.
I shared this earlier but suspect we will be posting it a lot over the next few weeks: police in Victoria say the arson claim is not true.
Hi all, this is Naaman Zhou taking over the blog for a while. Thanks to Calla and Helen for their work today.
Lieutenant Colonel John Pearce, from the Australian army, told reporters in Bairnsdale that ADF personnel had helped Victoria Police conduct aerial evacuations at Combienbar.
He confirmed that some locals in the region, which is on the northern edge of the largest Gippsland fire, had refused to leave but said he could not give numbers on how many people had been evacuated, and how many remained.
The helicopters are currently on their way back to the airbase in Sale.
As the wind picks up over the next 24 hours, Pearce said, the helicopters will be grounded:
The incident controller Brett Mitchell for the Gippsland fires is addressing the media in Bairnsdale right now.
He says fire activity is increasing, and will continue to do so until the wind change arrives between 4pm and 7pm tonight. That wind change will push the fire into private property around Omeo and Swifts Creek.
Mitchell says they currently have water-bombing aircraft putting out spot fires at Buchan South, which has just been made subject to an emergency warning, as well as Omeo and Swifts Creek. An emergency warning for the Omeo and Swifts Creek region will be issued soon, he said.
That wind change will bring winds of up to 70-100km/h as well as a chance of severe thunderstorms with both dry lightning in some parts and rainfall of between 15-20mm per hour in others. That rain is welcome, but it could impact on roads.
The fire at Combienbar, which was subject to an evacuation now warning today, is being managed out of Orbost. Mitchell said he believes an ADF helicopter had been sent to pull people out.
Mitchell:
Mitchell said an evacuation now warning, like that at Combienbar, is different to a mass community evacuation, which must be coordinated ahead of time.
Mitchell said the increased fire activity from the wind change could last until midnight.
Let’s check in with South Australia and the fire burning on Kangaroo Island.
Two people died and 22 people have been injured in that fire, AAP has reported, including CFS volunteers who were injured in a burn-over of two fire trucks.
More from that report by AAP:
The fire was sparked by lightning on 20 December and escalated rapidly last Friday and Saturday, when Dick Lang and his son Clayton were killed as they returned to their family property.
The operators of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park have been defending their animals against the out-of-control bushfire which has burned through more than a third of the island.The operators of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park have been defending their animals against the out-of-control bushfire which has burned through more than a third of the island.
They posted this update on their social media channels:They posted this update on their social media channels:
They said they are not currently taking donations of supplies like towels and pouches until they figure out what they need.They said they are not currently taking donations of supplies like towels and pouches until they figure out what they need.
Veterinarians from the Australian army provided urgent care to wildlife — mainly koalas, kangaroos, eagles and possums — in the immediate aftermath of the fire.Veterinarians from the Australian army provided urgent care to wildlife — mainly koalas, kangaroos, eagles and possums — in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
Tony Abbott volunteering with the RFS in the Snowy MountainsTony Abbott volunteering with the RFS in the Snowy Mountains
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been spotted among volunteer firefighters stationed near the Snowy Mountains, 115 kilometres south of Canberra, AAP has reported.Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been spotted among volunteer firefighters stationed near the Snowy Mountains, 115 kilometres south of Canberra, AAP has reported.
The former prime minister received a briefing at Adaminaby, near the Snowy Mountains, where a fire is burning out of control.The former prime minister received a briefing at Adaminaby, near the Snowy Mountains, where a fire is burning out of control.
Firefighters are bracing for extreme conditions across Victoria, NSW and the ACT.Firefighters are bracing for extreme conditions across Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
“I’m one of 70,000 RFS volunteers — let’s hope all of us stay safe and do good work,” Mr Abbott told reporters on Friday.“I’m one of 70,000 RFS volunteers — let’s hope all of us stay safe and do good work,” Mr Abbott told reporters on Friday.
“The fire season has been the same for me as for everyone else, it’s been long, it’s been arduous.”“The fire season has been the same for me as for everyone else, it’s been long, it’s been arduous.”
Hot weather and strong winds threaten to fan existing blazes burning through the Snowy Mountains region.Hot weather and strong winds threaten to fan existing blazes burning through the Snowy Mountains region.
Meanwhile, a senior News Corp employee has sent an explosive reply-all email to executive chairman Michael Miller, accusing the company of “misinformation” and diverting attention from climate change during the bushfire crisis.Meanwhile, a senior News Corp employee has sent an explosive reply-all email to executive chairman Michael Miller, accusing the company of “misinformation” and diverting attention from climate change during the bushfire crisis.
Chris Knaus as all the details.Chris Knaus as all the details.
If you look at the active fire map on the NSW Rural Fire Service website, you will see two fires burning in the alpine region along the NSW/Victorian border that appear to be burning closer and closer together.If you look at the active fire map on the NSW Rural Fire Service website, you will see two fires burning in the alpine region along the NSW/Victorian border that appear to be burning closer and closer together.
According to a spokesman from the RFS, if those fires have not yet merged today, they are likely to do so “imminently”.According to a spokesman from the RFS, if those fires have not yet merged today, they are likely to do so “imminently”.
The spokesman told Guardian Australia that the East Ournie Creek fire (that’s the Corryong fire on the NSW side of the border) was only, according to the latest mapping, “a few hundred meters” from the Dunns Road fire (the large fire burning in the Snowys and into Kosciuszko National Park).The spokesman told Guardian Australia that the East Ournie Creek fire (that’s the Corryong fire on the NSW side of the border) was only, according to the latest mapping, “a few hundred meters” from the Dunns Road fire (the large fire burning in the Snowys and into Kosciuszko National Park).
The fires appear to be meeting in the vicinity of Clarkes Hill Nature Reserve.The fires appear to be meeting in the vicinity of Clarkes Hill Nature Reserve.
The Perich clan, a wealthy rural family who are behind Australia’s biggest dairy farming group, are donating $1m to the NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund.The Perich clan, a wealthy rural family who are behind Australia’s biggest dairy farming group, are donating $1m to the NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund.
Money from the donation will be used to support dairy farmers and other primary producers who have had their farms burned, been unable to feed or water their stock or distribute milk, the NSW Farmers Association said.Money from the donation will be used to support dairy farmers and other primary producers who have had their farms burned, been unable to feed or water their stock or distribute milk, the NSW Farmers Association said.
The Perich family owns Australian Fresh Milk Holdings, the country’s biggest dairy farmer, which milks more than 10,000 cows.The Perich family owns Australian Fresh Milk Holdings, the country’s biggest dairy farmer, which milks more than 10,000 cows.
Brothers Tony and Ron Perich run the family empire.“We want this money to reach the farmers and NSW Farmers will make sure that happens,” Tony Perich said. “We want others to join us in supporting this bushfire appeal, our donation is a start and we will encourage everyone we know to help too.”Brothers Tony and Ron Perich run the family empire.“We want this money to reach the farmers and NSW Farmers will make sure that happens,” Tony Perich said. “We want others to join us in supporting this bushfire appeal, our donation is a start and we will encourage everyone we know to help too.”
NSW Farmers president James Jackson said the organisation would be talking to charities to see what direct aid could be immediately provided to dairy farmers.“Once the immediate emergency has passed we will work with impacted farmers to provide ongoing support and implement measures to enhance sustainability of these farm businesses,” he said.NSW Farmers president James Jackson said the organisation would be talking to charities to see what direct aid could be immediately provided to dairy farmers.“Once the immediate emergency has passed we will work with impacted farmers to provide ongoing support and implement measures to enhance sustainability of these farm businesses,” he said.
A message from the CFA boardA message from the CFA board
The board of the CFA just issued this message in support of thousands of CFA volunteers, who have been fighting fires across the state, and interstate, for weeks.The board of the CFA just issued this message in support of thousands of CFA volunteers, who have been fighting fires across the state, and interstate, for weeks.
The board was briefed at the state control centre in Melbourne this week.The board was briefed at the state control centre in Melbourne this week.
Chairman Greg Smith said the board “has been impressed with the commitment of CFA members, both staff and volunteers, who are giving up their time and leaving family and work commitments to support the intensive bushfire effort”.Chairman Greg Smith said the board “has been impressed with the commitment of CFA members, both staff and volunteers, who are giving up their time and leaving family and work commitments to support the intensive bushfire effort”.
Smith said some volunteers had lost their own homes while protecting their communities. He said the focus would be on the welfare of volunteers and other CFA staff.Smith said some volunteers had lost their own homes while protecting their communities. He said the focus would be on the welfare of volunteers and other CFA staff.
Back in Victoria now. There is also an evacuation alert and emergency warning current for an out-of-control grassfire at Combienbar in East Gippsland. It’s on the edge of the border fire.
Firefighters were pulled out of the area late yesterday, and they are attempting to get aerial support in to place today.
Back to Western Australia, WA Police have charged a 25-year-old man with arson, for allegedly lighting a bushfire in Australind, which is a beachside suburb near Bunbury, on 20 December.
The man is alleged to have deliberately set a grass fire near the Collie River and caused a fire that he was not able to control. The fire was reported by a member of the public and extinguished. The charge of wilfully light or cause to be lit a fire likely to injure or damage carries a maximum sentence of 20 years jail. The man will face court in Bunbury today.
Importantly: this does not mean that reports arson is to blame for this catastrophic bushfire season are suddenly correct. They are still not.
You can read Chris Knaus’s earlier reports about the “disinformation campaign” exaggerating the role of arson this bushfire season and there being no evidence that arson is responsible for any of the devastating fires in Victoria.
To New South Wales now. The biggest fire threat today is in the Snowy Mountains but there are still active fires and a lot of smoke around the south coast.
Surf Life Saving NSW has released a list of beach closures.
This is the map of forecast fire spread in NSW today.
We reported yesterday that there is a risk, according to Victorian emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp, that fires burning on either side of the border near Corryong in Victoria and Dunns Road fire in NSW could join. You can see that shown in that fire spread map.
There is also a risk, Crisp said, that the Abbeyard fire could join with the East Gippsland fire, and those fires could also join a merged Corryong-Dunns Road fire.
Authorities in Victoria have issued a third evacuation alert for communities on the edges of the Abbeyard fire, which is threatening the King and Ovens Valleys in northeast Victoria.
Emergency alerts for the western side of the fire — the King Valley, and Carboor and surrounds, remain in place.
The new evacuation alert is for the northern flank of the fire down to Harrietville, in preparation for the forecast south-westerly wind change.
The communities listed in the new alert are: Brookside, Buckland, Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Dunphys Hill, Eurobin, Freeburgh, Harrietville, Merriang, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo, Salt Log, Selwyn, Smoko, Wandiligong, Buckland Junction, and Germantown.
It means that everyone within a set distance west or north of the fire has been told to leave.
The warning is current until 3.30pm today. After that point it may be too late to leave, and authorities have warned that if people choose to stay firefighters may not be able to help them.
There are evacuation centres set up in Wangaratta, at the performing arts centre and the showgrounds if you have animals.
Let’s go to Western Australia now where a bushfire at Baldivis on the eastern fringe of Perth is burning at a watch and act level.
The fire has been contained, but authorities warn that “unfavourable wind conditions” may cause it to breach those containment lines. About 180 firefighters are currently on the ground working to strengthen those containment lines.
The fire was reported yesterday and has burned through 1,205ha in less than 24 hours. The cause has been listed as accidental, and reporters on the ground have identified a possible cause: a boat, found abandoned on its trailer on Karnup Road.
This is from ABC24 reporter, James Carmody:
This message just came through from the UK High Commission:
A team of UK experts is travelling to Australia to scope how the UK can best contribute to the Australian response to the unprecedented bushfires causing devastation across the country.
As a first step in the UK’s support for Australia, this team will include a senior member of the UK Fire and Rescue Service, a medical specialist in trauma and mental health, and a military liaison officer, specialising in crisis response.
They will work with Australian colleagues to establish what type, extent and duration of support will be of most use to the emergency responders, and ensure that such contributions are fully integrated with Australian efforts.
These specialists will liaise with regional coordinators across a number of states as well as with the central Australian government. This engagement will inform options for a future UK contribution, which would focus on areas of most pressing Australian need, including where the UK has world leading capabilities and expertise.
The deployment comes following exchanges between the prime minister, foreign secretary and their Australian counterparts.
On the deployment, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said:
Emergency Victoria just issued an updated evacuation warning for communities northwest of the Abbeyard fire.
The communities of Dandongadale, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo, Buffalo River and Nug Nug have been advised to evacuate ahead of fire and ember attacks.
There is also an evacuation warning current for Bennies, Cheshunt South, Markous, Rose River, Top Crossing, Wabonga and Upper Rose River, which are under threat from the same fire.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Victoria (the northeast, East Gippsland, and south Gippsland coast) and New South Wales (in a broad line from Broken Hill/Tibooburra and down to Albury and the southern highlands, and also the Illawarra coast).
The damaging winds will reach between 65km-90km/h and are timed with that south-westerly change, which means they will impact fire weather and also possibly cause falling trees in areas previously impacted by fire.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has put together a register of people offering free agistment, or “cow parking”, for people affected by the bushfires.
The fires on the south coast of NSW, particularly the Bega Valley, as well as those in the Upper Murray and East Gippsland regions have impacted key dairy farming areas. Senior business reporter Ben Butler wrote more on that here.
People and smaller pets looking for accomodation after the fires can check out Find-a-bed, a volunteer-led service that popped up in response to the bushfire crisis. (More on its origin here.)
Michael Pengilly is the mayor of Kangaroo Island and a former state Liberal member for the seat of Finniss, which is on the mainland around Victor Harbour.
As of yesterday, more than one third of Kangaroo Island had burned and remaining sections were under threat.
This is a map of Kangaroo Island from the SA Country Fire Service website this morning.
The blue section has already burned, the yellow section is under a watch and act alert. People who do not need to be on the island were advised to leave, and some residents have been cut off due to road closures, the ABC has reported.
Anyway. If you want to adopt our politics live blogger Amy Remeikis, please ensure you first believe in the man-made climate emergency.
It’s Calla Wahlquist here, taking over from Helen Davidson.
I want to look to the Abbeyard fire in Northeast Victoria first, which has triggered emergency warning and evacuate now alerts for the King Valley and Carboor on the western front of that fire today.
Water authorities have told residents they will be turning off sprinklers in unattended houses to conserve water for firefighting efforts. That is likely to stress out some residents, who often put the sprinkler on the roof before evacuating.
This is from the Emergency Victoria alert:
A “leave now” warning was issued for most of eastern Victoria late yesterday, advising that everyone east of a line from Bairnsdale to Corryong, and dog-legging west around Mount Buffalo, should leave the area if they do not need to remain.
The Abbeyard fire is now about 80km long, and has been creeping west toward Carboor, just south of Mount Buffalo. It is being pushed west this morning but the biggest danger will come later this evening, when a south-westerly wind change will convert the northern flank into an 80km-wide fire front. Bright is about 20km north of the fire.
Residents in the King Valley, Carboor and surrounds, Edi, Myrrhee, and surrounding localities have been advised to evacuate now, via the Carboor-Everton Road, if they’re at the Carboor side, and via the King Valley-Wangaratta Road, from the King Valley.
Evacuation centres have been set up in Wangaratta, with a information and registration centre at the Myrtleford library.